MovieChat Forums > That Evening Sun (2009) Discussion > Holbrook... Oscar?

Holbrook... Oscar?

posted 14 years ago by ryanjeanes-578-444798
8 replies | jump to latest

If Hal Holbrook is not nominated for an Oscar for this performance, I will have lost faith in the Academy forever. There is NOT a better performance out there. He put Clint Eastwood's performance in Gran Torino to SHAME, and that performance was AMAZING!

I don't think I've ever seen anything like this - such a subtle blend of wit, and power and imagery, a nuanced performance full of bubbling power like an oil well ready to blow. It was absolutely incredible... Academy, listen to me, give this man an Oscar! And if you can't do that for whatever reason, a no-nomination would be a TRAVESTY.

My god, I've never seen a performance like this... that scene when he's in the car talking about his dead wife... tears, he's just that good.

Ryan Jeanes
Nashville, TN

[–] xmonn 14 years ago

Don't hold your breath; Eastwood was snubbed for his performance - the best in his career.

[–] kbnewton-1 14 years ago

It was an outstanding performance and surely deserving of an Oscar nod, but the film doesn't seem to have made much of a critical or public impact, so probably he won't be recognized.

It's a pity the film hasn't been seen more widely, because it really is wonderful -- great acting, directing, writing, cinematography, music. (It was nice to catch a few glimpses of Dixie Carter, too.)

[–] bijou-2 14 years ago

Movies do not qualify for the Oscars unless they open in the NY or LA before year's end or are submitted by a foreign country for the Foreign Language category. This movie doesn't even qualify for nomination.

Blame the distributor, not the Oscars.

[–] rahrah14 14 years ago

Actually, this film did open in both LA and NY in November 09. I believe it played in one theater in each city...maybe even specifically because they wanted to be considered for Oscar nominations, but I'm not sure about that. After playing at several film festivals and the small openings in LA and NY, the film is getting a wider release now (though "wider" is relative).

[–] noahtenzin 14 years ago

Shoulda been nominated, I agree.

But it's an "Oscar-bait" type of movie, which rubs some folks the wrong way. Nice review here that kind of points that out ---> http://www.hmonthly.com/2009/12/14/evening-sun-film-review/

Surprised he didn't get a Spirit Awards nomination, even though his costars did.

[–] Benedict_Cumberbatch 14 years ago

Holbrook, such a legend, yet snubbed by the Academy again. Can't believe he was only nominated for the first time a couple years ago for "Into the Wild". And the fact that even the Independent Spirit Awards nominated his costars (good actors themselves) but not Holbrook's outstanding performance, is even weirder. Had this film been more widely distributed, perhaps Holbrook would've been a strong contender to another veteran (although much younger than him), Jeff Bridges, who walked out with the statuette instead.

"I did cramps the way Meryl Streep did accents" - Calliope (Middlesex)

[–] ryanjeanes-578-444798 14 years ago

I read that article, I don't see how the author was implying it was an Oscar-bait film.

[–] spaceageboy10 14 years ago

I came here to post that exact same statement... God I hope he wins a nomination at least. Hal's performance is downright amazing. It's the absolute peak of an actor's career and their defining role.

- Justin Sluss of HighDefDiscNews.com -