It’s Morgan Freeman Time
One of things that is marvelous about Invictus is Morgan Freeman. To those who know him and love him will count this, I feel confident in saying, as one of his best performances. I used to think nothing could rival Red but his Mandela is right up there. And this time he gets to do an accent and nails it, so writes the NY Times’ profile on Freeman:
As someone who studied Mr. Mandela over the course of three years while he replaced an apartheid regime with a genuine democracy, I found Mr. Freeman’s performance in the film “Invictus,” directed by Clint Eastwood, uncanny — less an impersonation than an incarnation.He gets the rumble and halting rhythm of Mr. Mandela’s speech, the erect posture and stiff gait. There is a striking physical resemblance, enhanced by the fact that Mr. Freeman, 72, is just a few years younger than Mr. Mandela was in the period the film covers. More important, Mr. Freeman conveys the manipulative charm, the serene confidence, the force of purpose, the hint of mischief and the lonely regret that made Mr. Mandela one of the most fascinating political figures of his time. This is not, as the film’s screenwriter, Anthony Peckham, put it, “Rich Little doing Mandela in Vegas.”
After the cut – the chilling, beautiful Freeman scene in Shawshank:
Sally in Chicago says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:01pm
I hope what the Natl Enquirer was reporting is not true about Freeman, that he was “dating” his 27-yo step daughter, not his blood daughter. I noticed his automobile crime went away with a settlement; and then it was revealed the closeness of his stepdaughter; ala Woody Allen. Hope it’s not true, because if it starts to be revealed again, it could derail his chances for an Oscar.
Sasha Stone says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:03pm
No way it derails his chances. He already has an Oscar but moreover, he has a LOT of friends in town. I really hate Oscar contenders being put through the character debate like politicians. It has always bothered me.
Ryan Adams says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:31pm
That Enquirer story is older than dirt. If anything, a smear attempt like that will rally friends behind him. He’s clearly not concerned about it being dredged up again, because he’s been attending premieres with one hand in a therapeutic compression glove to ease pain from the accident injury.
Hunter says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 12:33pm
Yeah, Hollywood takes care of its own. I remember the attack article on Schwarzenegger that PREMIERE ran some years ago and after it hit the streets everyone who had ever worked with him rallied to his defence.
Jeremie says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:08pm
And nasty comments and rumours didn’t stop Polanski to get his well deserved Oscar. If Freeman, as you said, really deserve to be recognized for Invictus, he’ll get his Oscar no matter what.
daveylow says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:19pm
I really don’t think Freeman could win over Jeff Bridges if he gets nominated.
ORDINARY COW says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:31pm
Freeman has an Oscar, a recent Oscar (2005). It’s not happening again, neither for Freeman neither for Clooney. It’s Jeff Bridges all the way and IT IS A TRUE DESERVING CAREER OSCAR.
FromChelseaManhattan says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 1:51pm
” found Mr. Freeman’s performance in the film “Invictus,” directed by Clint Eastwood, uncanny — less an impersonation than an incarnation.He gets the rumble and halting rhythm of Mr. Mandela’s speech, the erect posture and stiff gait. There is a striking physical resemblance”
Cant we say similar things about Meryl’s performance as Julia Child. If Morgan freeman wins another Oscar for playing Mandela while Meryl doesnt this year, that would be a crime! I hope Jeff Bridges or Colin Firth will win this year
Jeannie says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 3:00pm
Another year, another biopic performance that gets raves for being an “incornation”. Can I just say: booooooooring!
Dan McGrath says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 3:05pm
I for one am rooting for Jeff Bridges. Is there a performance of his that ever made you think..” He wasn’t good in that ” ? Even in shitty material he seems to be good. He has one thing going for him. He hasn’t won yet.
bambi says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 3:25pm
is it me or Viggo Mortensen`s nomination is falling rappidly. I see lots of love for Renner, Clooney, Bridges, Firth and now Freeman while Mortensen seems to be on the outskitrs of buzz or something.
Mike says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 3:39pm
The Shawshank Redemption is my favourite movie of all time. I love Freeman, but I don’t think he needs another Oscar, especially before Firth or Bridges.
unlikelyhood says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 5:48pm
This nomination is a LOCK. Not for any reason I’ve seen mentioned here, but because of the chance that such a nom will get the real Mandela to attend the Oscars. If they *don’t* nominate Freeman they know NM won’t come – if they *do* there’s probably a – what would you guess? – I’ll say 50/50 chance.
Anyway I’d been hoping for this particular casting for years, never thought there’d be a movie to justify it. Can’t wait to see it.
Now if they can just cast John Malkovich and Peter Sarsgaard as father and son, I’ll be all set.
the other mike says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 5:55pm
first Tiger Woods now Morgan Freeman, whats up with the National Enquirer. also, how can people say they would hate Freeman 2 win when they havent seen the movie? shouldnt u wait 2 see everything b4 u start saying who deserves 2 win?
cause then it just comes across as fanboyism. Freeman is my favourite actor but until i see the film i cant say he deserves it and Jeremy Remner has the best performance of the year from the films i have seen.
Googooboo says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 6:04pm
I’d really love to see Freeman bag his first (and long overdue) lead acting Oscar for this role. Yes, he won kinda recently, but winning recently didn’t keep AMPAS from awarding Sean Penn with another Oscar last year over Mickey Rourke.
My gut feeling is that Bridges and Firth will split the majority of the critics awards, with Clooney and Freeman in the mix as well. I don’t know how the Globes/SAG/BAFTA will play out.
Flapp says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 7:25pm
Great Freeman, eh deserves this.
But, 2009 could be amazing Jeff Bridges´year.
Man, what a cruel doubt.
Dan McGrath says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 8:50pm
I’d be VERY surprised if Jeremy Renner gets a Oscar nomination. He could earn a drama category nod for The Golden Globes, I just have a funny feeling Oscar won’t be calling his name over much more seasoned and better known actors. Don’t totally count out Mortensen, Damon or Norton for the 5th spot either.
If you go by their past, the voters like to reward actors for doing things on film they have never done ( Depp, Zeta Jones, Zelwegger ) so I’d be hard pressed if they’d pass on Day-Lewis singing and dancing in Nine. Right now, just on on a lark I see Bridges, Freeman, Firth and Day-Lewis as the strongest contentions. The 5th spot might be someone we never would have thought. You have to admit, Damon was pretty damn good in The Informant ! In fact I think it a career year for him. They may treat him as they did the one year they voted Jamie Foxx for Collateral and Ray.
Nic says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 9:50pm
Freeman isn’t new to the Oscar buzz ..some of us have been saying all along he was going to get a nom for Invictus. I think he’s a strong contender. The Best Actor Category has some competition. I think Firth and Clooney are as well. Bridges I didn’t expect. I like a lot of Bridges work. I like Mortensen. I do think that the more the “names” begin to stick someone like Jeremy Renner looses steam. But you know what the Academy always like to throw in a surprise here and there and Renner may very well be it. I still don’t think DDL will get a nod for Nine.
Ripley says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 9:56pm
Well it may not be popular around here but I’ve never rooted for someone because they are ‘overdue’ or against someone because they are a recent winner. If Clint and Morgan win this year it should be because they deserve it for their current work, not for something they did in the past. If anything Clint is due one for his superior “Letters from Iwo Jima” losing to a remake called The Departed. I will be routing for this film and A Single Man, not much else out there made me excited so far.
Brian Tayour says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 10:49pm
Jeff Bridges
George Clooney
Colin Firth
Morgan Freeman
Daniel Day-Lewis
JR says:
Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 11:00pm
I absolutely agree with those picks Brian.
I really liked Viggo Mortensen’s performance but it doesn’t seem like he’s building any momentum and it seems like too big of a favor to ask for some Jeremy Renner love.
Although we should not be that confident with Jeff Bridges until the reviews start rolling in.
Robert says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 12:00am
I agree with Nic, #18. I also don’t think we should be that confident of a Daniel Day Lewis nomination. It could happen, but at this point, it’s far from certain. In other words, I still think there’s room for Jeremy Renner to wiggle in…
Terry says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 2:02am
Renner over Day-Lewis ? And with DDL singing and dancing ( and doing it well I hear ) and is in nearly every scene in the film ? A Oscar veteran trumped by an essensial no name ? We are talking about the ” Oscar ” nominations here. I also have read a few reviews and from people on boards that have seen it and mention his dramatic acting other than singing in the movie is very good and believable as a man at the end of his rope. You may not think it fair, but the Oscar voters like to reward an actor/actress that branches out and does different things ( new things ) and also they are well aware and familiar with his multiple thespian talents, as a 4 time previous nominee. The one actor if any that could get trumped is Colin Firth, then maybe Renner gets in, but I just feel hes’ way too new of a name among a very crowded category. I’m just going by how they think, not what I like. That’s the problem… people forget to think like the voters and leave your personal choices out.
Ryan Adams says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3:25am
“A Oscar veteran trumped by an essensial no name ? We are talking about the ” Oscar” nominations here.”
This is a sad argument, and I mean sad in the most depressing sense of the word. If the Oscars were only about awarding previous Oscar winners, how boring and incestuous would that be?
Anyway, luckily it’s not true. Relative newcomers are nominated for Best Actor all the time — and it’s usually for outstanding roles outside the box. Ryan Gosling, Terrence Howard, Edward Norton. Somebody else with more patience can look up the “veterans” those guys trumped for nomination.
You might remember a young 30-something actor who’d only appeared in a handful of small but increasingly important indie/euro films a few years back. He got his nomination over the heads of veterans like Paul Newman, Al Pacino, a ndJeff Bridges (who all had important movies that year). The name of that “essential no name” who blew past the veterans? Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot.
I agree with you and others here that DDL’s performance in There Will Be Blood was a highlight of the decade. I’m looking forward to Nine more than any other film this month. But I don’t think that seeing an actor “do new things” is enough to make him a lock. Especially when those things are dancing and singing — neither of which, for all the talent they might require, involve acting. Steve Martin can play the banjo but it never got him an Oscar nomination.
“people forget to think like the voters and leave your personal choices out.”
That’s a neat trick. How do you think like 5500 different voters?
bambi says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 9:30am
#24 “I agree with you and others here that DDL’s performance in There Will Be Blood was a highlight of the decade.”
That`s for few people who saw the movie. For the rest of the world, it`s Jack Sparrow and The Joker.
Nic says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 10:07am
I think DDL is one of the greatest actors of our time. I just don’t think that he’s going to pick up a nod for Nine. I do think after now seeing the noms from the Wash Film Critics that Renner picks up more steam than DDL. I can’t wait to see Nine. I still believe Nine will throw the surprises in the B S Actres category. Seeing the Satelitte noms also shows the the technical aspects of Nine are also going to get Notice. Nine won’t be cheated out of Oscar nods but I just am not convinced that DDL will be among them.
Freeman
Clooney
Firth
Mortensen
Renner
Yeah last time I did that I had Renner as a dark horse. My dark horse now is Bridges. If Mortensen doesn’t get the nod from the Academy my bet is it will be Bridges.
Terry says:
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 5:27pm
People, critics and actors on both continetns were ” aware ” of Day-Lewis by that point in My Left Foot. In the late 80′s word of mouth was out about his way of working, it was sort of like famous lore and he played a pretty suffient role in The Bounty in 1984 with Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins and Liam Neeson. 5 years earlier. Also An Unbearable Lightness Of Being the year before My Left Foot. plus he was a popular vetran stage actor as well. So I think it’s safe to say he was more well known then as Renner is now.
The Academy actually do reward people for doing something out of the box. How about Johnny Depp, Rene Zelwegger and Catherine Zeta Jones ? And Day-Leiws is only singing two songs in Nine, you seem to make it like he’s singing in the whole film but the rest is acting. As I mentioned and you seemed to overlook, I made a point to say that many people are saying his acting besides the singing is convincing and good.
Anyway… think about who we are talking about here. This isn’t a scrub. And it sounds like people don’t want to see him get a nomination. Saying something like you just don’t see Daniel Day-Lewis getting an Oscar nomination sort of sounds silly in a way just because of who the topic the subject is about.