MovieChat Forums > One Eight Seven (1997) Discussion > One of Oscar's big oversights??

One of Oscar's big oversights??

posted 21 years ago by jejones1
5 replies | jump to latest

I tend to think so. I don't really think Samuel L. Jackson does a single thing wrong in this film about a teacher pretty much driven insane. Even look at the scene where Tony Plana implies that Jackson's character did something improper with that girl, and Jackson cries a single tear but doesn't completely break down or launch into any kind of shouting match (which Samuel L. Jackson tends to do; that's not an insult, just a fact. The man likes to yell.). Look at the way he looks when he reacts to that being laid at his doorstep. Look at the interaction with Kelly Rowan's character, a decent and realistic relationship between two colleagues in *beep* up working conditions (which, in a cheaper and stupider film would have gone straight for some kind of sex scene before minute 40). Sure, the film deals with Jackson killing a student and removing a student's finger, but it isn't done in a blatant way and those students deserved it anyway. All in all, I think Jackson's performance here and the film overall deserved and deserve more respect and admiration. It is a really good film.

[–] SharkmanSIX 21 years ago

I totally agree.
The ending of the film had me wanting to hide my eyes, I was truely nervous and dreadful.

[–] Bad_TaZ 21 years ago

I think that it is overlooked because the direction and script aren't as good as they could be.

I think each and every performance is excellent though, especially Samuel Jackson. I love the scene where John Heard's character (Dave i think?) is showing Jackson's character Garfield his guns. I thought that was done well. Also, Clifton Collins Jr. had a solid performance.

[–] jejones1 21 years ago

Overall, though, I just think that Sam Jackson especially does truly excellent work here, and in essence overcomes some of the limitations of the director. There's just nothing that I feel is fake about Jackson's character here. He does tend to do a lot of films for fun but he's really doing great work in this film.

[–] cameron-60 20 years ago

I agree, this was a big oversight by the academy, however, the budget wasn't very big on the film so that is probably why. It was still a brilliant movie and I think John Heard deserved best actor.

[–] jejones1 20 years ago

I meant that Samuel L. Jackson deserved more admiration and perhaps Academy recognition for his role in this, you moron. John Heard did nothing here that hadn't already been done before and was, in essence, a one-note character.