Hilary Swank gives one of the best performances of the year in Tommy Lee Jones’ The Homesman. During the festival circuit it couldn’t quite catch a break. It screened opposite the first Birdman screening in Telluride and against the Selma/American Sniper screening at the AFI Fest. Despite that, reviews are beginning to trickle in. The ending, as expected, have given some critics pause, especially those who call it a feminist western. I’m not sure what that means as I could think of five different ways this movie might have become a feminist western. Those looking for that kind of correctional uplift are going to be in for a surprise. This film, as entertaining as it is, makes a stark statement about women and their worth then, and in many ways where Hollywood is concerned, now.
Anthony Lane of the New Yorker on The Homespun:
And yet what matters most about “The Homesman,” which Jones co-wrote and directed, is how willingly, and movingly, he cedes the stage to Hilary Swank, as Clint Eastwood did in “Million Dollar Baby.” She cuts the kind of figure who used to make Gary Cooper take off his hat, fiddle with the brim, and gaze in confusion at his boots. First rule of a tough guy: know when you’ve met your match.
Swank makes Mary Bee a tough spinster who knows how to handle herself. But Swank also captures the character’s longing for a man to swoop in and take care of her for once. Jones could play this role – the crusty, resourceful old miscreant – in his sleep but, to his credit, gives George Briggs a soul as well, one that reacts in moving ways to the intense vulnerability Swank allows to bubble to a boil.
Beautiful in a sparse, desolate way, “The Homesman” is a film that would seem to be anathema to a young audience: slow-moving, thought-provoking and studied in its pace. Its action is minimal because it focuses on the journey and its toll on those making it. Have patience, however, and you’ll be rewarded by a moving, thoughtful experience.
“I read that “Cake” was getting a one-week release in Dec. specifically for award season. Is that not true?”
I’ve heard the same thing, Vincent. I think it is true. They want to give Aniston a shot in the Best Actress category. Not that I think Aniston will be able to squeeze onto the list, but at least the qualifying run will give her a shot, however doomed it may be.
I read that “Cake” was getting a one-week release in Dec. specifically for award season. Is that not true?
Meek’s Cutoff is brilliant.
Also, they’ve played this one extremely well thus far. The promise of an Oscar campaign as far back as Cannes, major festival screenings booked and announced throughout the summer, the Hilary Swank tribute at Telluride, a Hamptons centrepiece gala slot, all sustaining the film through to its late-year release. Tommy Lee Jones sure has some clout – shit, the film itself is a tough sell, and just look at the cast and crew he was able to assemble. Hilary Swank in a tricky role, John Lithgow and Meryl Streep in thankless parts, Rodrigo Prieto doing the cinematography and Marco Beltrami the score. His name sure means a lot in the industry. The year’s finest campaign so far – it puts Sony to shame when they had such a surefire hit on their hands with Foxcatcher. There’s a film that needed a release much sooner.
Vincent, we’ll be waiting until 2015 for Cake to receive a US release. So Jennifer Aniston won’t feature in this year’s awards race. Also, despite the acclaim her performance has been met with in the film, reviewers haven’t been very positive about the film as a whole, so she may struggle to find an entrance into the awards race next year.
Aaron, Steven, I agree – James Newton Howard’s score for Nightcrawler stood out for me too, and he’s very popular with the Academy. Never mind his surprise nominations for The Village (wholly deserved, though in a year where three of the Best Picture nominees were disqualified for consideration in the Original Score race) and Defiance, what about his baffling nod for Michael Clayton? I’m wondering if his Nightcrawler score might fall foul of eligibility rules, and there’s also the fact that the music branch requires scores to be specially submitted in order to receive a nomination, but they may overlook my first point since they’re such JNH fans – they did so for Gustavo Santaolalla two years running not so long ago, and he reaped consecutive Oscars as a result.
Yes, I endorse MEEK’S CUTOFF too. Also might want to catch up with the scariest/creepiest non-horror movie of the year, NIGHT MOVES.
I mean the time period (1840’s-50’s), geography, and the fact that a woman is the lead might be similar, but HOMESMAN’s trailer harkens back to the neglected insanity masterpiece THE MISSOURI BREAKS. Just a trailer though — don’t’ know how faithful it is to the films’ tonality.
“Glad to see you’re just mediocre enough to poke fun at my writing, instead of sharing your own opinion on the subject of the article.”
Gustavo – watch it, pal. I was being playful. And I haven’t SEEN the movie and don’t have much to contribute. Believe me, I’m probably too verbose on this site when it comes to movies I’ve seen.
Aaron B, that was the 2nd best thing about Nightcrawler after Gyllenhaal! I thought the score was very well done. If he can get off the wall nominations for Defiance and The Village then surely he can get some notice for Nightcrawler…hopefully. There is other strong work to consider though. Ross and Reznor did it again with Gone Girl and Zimmer’s work on Interstellar might be his best to date.
Loved Meek’s Cutoff
Can’t wait to see this movie. A bit off topic, but speaking of under the radar nominations. How about James Newton Howard’s score for “Nightcrawler.” Incredible work.
I loved Wendy and Lucy but sadly that’s the only film I’ve seen of hers. I really want to watch Old Joy and Night Moves as well.
Steven, re: Meek’s Cutoff – Big yes to seeing it, Kelly Reichardt is a great (and unflinching) director. Make it a double feature with Wendy & Lucy.
Hillary Swank, Amy Adams, and Shaliene Woodley will fight it out for that last spot. Moore, Witherspoon, Jones, Pike are near locks (in that order of likeliness)
I hope I like this movie but unfortunately I have never been able to connect with Hilary Swank. I always feel like I am moved more by the subject matter than her performance.
A bit OT but has anybody seen Meek’s Cutoff? I thought about renting it because it sort of looks like this.
Re-read this. It’s tied me up in Escher-ian knots.
Glad to see you’re just mediocre enough to poke fun at my writing, instead of sharing your own opinion on the subject of the article.
zooey,,, cristoph waltz got 2 for 2
Hilary Swank is a master, in my opinion. Her work in “Boys Don’t Cry” is something unmatched in film. What she pulled off in that film is beyond my vocabulary. Her delicate but strong work in “Million Dollar Baby” was another example of great, great acting. Even in bad films, “Freedom Writers,” “P.S. I Love You,” she’s able to lift the horrible material. “Amelia” wasn’t great, but boy did Swank do a great job. “Conviction” was another film that would have been much worse had it not been for Swank’s work.
I have yet to see “The Homesman,” but I bet Hilary is deserving of a third nomination; I do not understand the, “she has two, she doesn’t deserve a nomination” rational. Why should she be penalized for winning two (justifiably).
Where does Jennifer Aniston stand in all of this? Has anyone seen “Cake”? I keep reading these amazing things; I’m curious.
Jonas, I was kind of hoping The Search would do better and we would see another Hilary/Annette/Julianne face off!
I watched Million Dollar Baby a few nights ago, and as much as I was not a huge fan of Swank when she won that second Oscar, I find her to be so endearing in this. Those little faces she pulls, and shoulder shrugs, she is like a puppy dog at times. A determined one. The chemistry between her and Eastwood too is great.
I hope she gets nominated. Mary Bee Cuddy is a great character and not one you see very much anymore.
If Swank is nominated, she’s bound to lose. By the way, I don’t get the raves. It’s an good performance, but raves?!
Anyway, with an unsuccessful Swank nod, Vivien Leigh and Luise Rainer will remain the only two actresses 2/2 at the Oscars.
Kevin Spacey is the only male actor to have that fate at the Oscars, I guess, but maybe I’m forgetting somebody.
If ‘Big Eyes’ does reasonably alright and Amy Adam’s performance is at least decent then she’ll round out the ‘Best Actress’ line up (AMPAS live nominating Adams. They nominated her last year when Emma Thompson really should have been).
After Adams, I think that Swank would be the next most likely to get in (Cotillard won’t get in for ‘Two Days, One Night’ and I think ‘Into the Woods’ will be seen as more of a ensemble piece so I think Swank has a better chance than Blunt).
She did a really nice job with a vulnerable role. She’s ALWAYS wonderful. But I don’t expect a nomination beacuse the film DOES feel slight. You can blame Tommy Lee Jones and the other screenwriters for that. I feel like we only saw part of the story that mattered. Julianne, Reese, and Rosamund will turn out to be locks, probably Felicity Jones too, and I still think Amy Adams is formidable, with a possible spoiler by Emily Blunt. Thankfully Hilary is one of those actresses like Meryl, Cate, Julianne, and Sally who should have no problem getting the plum roles as they get older.
I hope Hilary Swank doesn’t get nominated for Best Actress Oscar. Because even if she’s nominated there’s no way in hell she will win her third Oscar. Julianne Moore is overdue. This way she doesn’t ruin her clean track record at the Oscar. 2 for 2!
Hilary Swank deserved both her Oscars! Surely she could go for a third. A truly unique and gifted actress. Some people just don´t like her due to Annette Benning worship. Truly sad. Though I think the film itself while most likely good, might be a bit slight for the Academy.
Scratch that. He will retire after making his 10th film. At least we have two more movies to look forward to 🙂
OT: I can’t believe it, Quentin Tarantino plans to retire after filming the Hateful Eight. That sucks.
http://time.com/3580011/quentin-tarantino-retire-movie-10-hateful-eight/
“Yeah, keep on campaigning for her. I think it’s her greatest performance, second only to Boys Don’t Cry.”
Re-read this. It’s tied me up in Escher-ian knots.
I just saw the movie and I was really impressed with Hilary Swank performance. It is a powerful film and a comeback performance for swank. Definitely deserves a nomination.
I mean, I like her, but, she’s already got two.
I’m rooting for Hilary Swank to get a fair shake for this film. A Best Actress nomination would be nice, if she’s deserving. I’m not sure who would fall the wayside, but I’d hope it wouldn’t be Julianne Moore, Rosamund Pike, or Reese Witherspoon.
Yeah, keep on campaigning for her. I think it’s her greatest performance, second only to Boys Don’t Cry.