MovieChat Forums > Short Cuts (1993) Discussion > Bruce Davison should've been nominated.....

Bruce Davison should've been nominated...

posted 20 years ago by unclejay73
15 replies | jump to latest

1993 was an extremely competetive year in Supporting Actor category, and as much as I think Pete Postlewaite is a great actor, I thought his nod for Supporting Actor in "In the Name of the Father" was a bit undeserving (as was Emma Thompson's nod) and should've went to someone else...despite his great performance.

Bruce Davison's performance in "Short Cuts" is one of the prime candidates. His portrayal of Howard Finnigan was simply fantastic, I mean the scene where he and his father (played by the great Jack Lemmon, also in a fantastic turn) are having that inappropriate and uncomfortable conversation in the hospital luncheon, was just a class A piece of solid acting.

UJ

"You learn from the best...and the worst." - Uncle Jay, 9/14/94

[–] griffin_mill_03 20 years ago

The entire cast was fantastic. I was watching "Four Weddings" last week and I was cringing at Andie Macdowell's awful performance, and then bowled over with the knowledge that a year previous she had turned in such a sublime turn in "Short Cuts." Altman just knows how to handle actors.

Nobody was nominated for an Oscar for this film, but the entire cast were given a rare prize at the Golden Globes for outstanding ensemble cast.

[–] bpfenzel-2 20 years ago

anne archer's reaction to the fishing trip incident gets me every time. "How long did you say she was in the water?" Creepy and compelling. She's one of the great underrated actresses of her generation.

[–] LordEmeryStanfordMerloe 20 years ago

Bruce Davison, Tom Waits, and Matthew Modine were the 3 standout performances of the film. So yes, Davison, as always, was magnificent.

[–] canadian_film_buff 20 years ago

I also loved Anne Archer in that scene...she's great. Matthew Modine however really blew me away. I'm not sure I've ever seen him in a solid movie before this, but the confrontation scene with Julianne Moore was amazing! Frances McDormand was great (and hot!) as always. Chris Penn was creepy. Madeleine Stowe is such a brilliant actress and was so insanely lovely in this film.

And Lili Taylor was gorgeous. I've never thought of her as particularly beautiful before this, but she really stood out for me. Hmm...maybe it was the character too. Very cute character.

You are what you love, not what loves you.
(Donald Kauffman, Adaptation)

[–] tpcorless 18 years ago

I think there are so many great performances in this film -- I particularly love Lori Singer's tragic, depressed cello player; Julianne Moore, Anne Archer, Chris Penn, Jack Lemmon, and of course, Bruce Davison and Andie McDowell. Davison is one of our best actors, although he's underrated.

[–] Kryssi 16 years ago

He was amazing, but I can't help but wonder if he only SEEMED so because most of his scenes were with someone is who arguably the worst actress of her generation (only Madonna could compete and possibly win in this category).

Personally, I thought Waits was the best actor in this film. Then again I'm a sucker for eccentricity.

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[–] MrBigglesworth999 16 years ago

I thought that Lyle Lovett was well cast also as the workaholic and dysfunctional baker.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

The scene was nicely done, but he was nowhere near awards worthy - he just didn't have the screentime or enough meaty scenes.

[–] unclejay73 11 years ago

"Didn't have the screentime or enough meaty scenes" - Yup, just like MANY Oscar nominated/winning performances.

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

Would you like to give some examples?

[–] IcySpoon 11 years ago

Oscar winning performances-with shortest total screen time-off the top of my head (and unable to sleep at 4 am)

Judy Dench "Shakespeare in Love" Under 10 mins

Beatrice Straight "Network" Approximately 5 mins (Really just a brilliant Monologue)

Jason Robards "Julia" Under 10 mins

Anthony Quinn "Lust for Life" Under 15 mins

David Niven "Separate Tables" Approximately 15 mins

Anne Hathaway "Le Miz" Approximately 15 mins

Hardest to believe-I read that Anthony Hopkins was in "Silence of the Lambs" for under 20 mins

Then there's British actress Hermione Baddeley.

The actress received an Oscar nomination after appearing on screen for just two minutes 32 seconds in Room At The Top. However, she failed to bring home the little gold guy.

[–] unclejay73 9 years ago

IcySpoon's post nailed it!!

[–] claudja777 11 years ago

I don t think there is any performance of this movie that didn't match his.
even madeleine stowe,that is not usually a streep a like was very good
when a good director is in da house,everyone improves.

[–] nutsberryfarm 11 years ago

wyck thayer rocks!

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!