Oscar voters salivate over biopics, period dramas and movies where the actors gain or lose a serious amount of weight.
Natalie Portman, your first Oscar awaits you.
That leaves otherwise award-worthy films – or fantastic performances – behind.
In a just movie world, Dieter Laser would be one of the five Best Supporting Actor nominees this year for “The Human Centipede.”
Yes, the film is repulsive to some – or many, to be honest. And it’s easy to see Oscar night co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco doing a synchronized spit take while reading the film’s title.
But Laser’s work represents the most frightening screen villain since a certain flesh-eating doctor harassed FBI agent Clarice Starling.
Laser’s every move is calculated to make us queasy and ramp up the film’s diabolical plotting. His line readings are part Christopher Walken, part Al Pacino mid-rant. And it all works – beautifully – within the context of the film. The character could have flown off the rails under the guidance of another actor, but Laser modulates the doctor’s actions in a way that is seductively evil.
The studio behind “Centipede” didn’t bother sending out screeners of the film to critics – or at least WWTW didn’t receive such a package. And they needn’t bother. There’s a better chance of Michael Bay receiving the Irving G. Thalberg Award than “Centipede” even entering the Oscar buzz equation.
That doesn’t mean Laser shouldn’t be part of the discussion.
(Photo: Actor Dieter Laser’s turn as the mad surgeon in “The Human Centipede” stands as one of the best supporting performances of 2010. IFC Films)
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
AAAAARRRRRRGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
… Sorry. I was suddenly overcome with terror.
Considering that “The Dark Knight” was too far outside of the Academy’s comfort zone to get nominated, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that “The Human Centipede” isn’t going to make the cut, either.
I’d give anything to see it get mentioned at the ceremony, though. I thought it was pretty funny a couple years back when Clint Eastwood was giving the honorary Oscar to Sergio Leone and he mentioned “Red Sonja” in his tribute. How often do you hear that title at the Oscars?
Yeah, just a “Centipede” mention would be fun, but it would be just as a punch line, nothing more.
My post plays up the sad truth that certain types of movies will never be considered by the Oscar elite.
it’s a minor miracle Kevin Kline collected an Oscar for a comedy back in 1988. But with the British classiness of “Wanda” that might have made the project more palatable.
I read your title and was wondering what in the world a dieter laser had to do with that movie. D’uh deutsch! And your blonde interlude is now over.
I actually agree. His performance was a perfect match of insanity and hilarity. He was my favorite aspect of the movie and took the film above the concept. He would never get nominated but it is the type of performance that makes a movie memorable for me and for my money a good pick.