Fan Rant: Bill Irwin for Best Supporting Actor
Filed under: Drama, Awards, New Releases, Oscar Watch, Fan Rant
Note: The following includes potential spoilers
When I first saw Rachel Getting Married in the middle of the Toronto maelstrom, I knew I'd have to see it again before I could write or speak about it coherently. I was sure that I liked it, but not how much -- I couldn't quite make heads or tails of the last third of the film, and having to rush off to another film prevented me from thinking about it. This week, I finally got my second viewing; I like it a lot. But what struck me the most this time around was Bill Irwin's astonishing turn as Paul Buckman, the tortured, loving father of the bride. Irwin has not gotten much love in the reviews, and that is a travesty. He gives the richest, most generous performance I've seen from anyone this year.
The IMDb informs me that Irwin, a veteran character actor, is a mainstay on Sesame Street; Wikipedia reveals that he's a clown by trade. This makes perfect sense, and indeed helps explain his complete humility in Rachel Getting Married. Remember the scene where Rosemarie DeWitt's Rachel, in the middle of an argument with Kym (Anne Hathaway), drops the bombshell that she's pregnant? Paul's reaction might be the film's most memorable moment -- he flips out, screaming and bunny-hopping over to his daughter (it's a testament to Jonathan Demme's brilliance that he puts this in the background of the shot); after things calm down a bit, he still looks like he is about to lovingly devour his family. The way he paws at his wife while randomly growling "Does anybody want a sandwich?!" is worth ten dollars all on its own.
It's a hilarious scene, but also a totally convincing and heartbreaking one. Irwin plunges into this character -- his wounds, his pain, his obstinate, self-deceiving optimism, his unconditional love for the family he has left. Paul is a real, complicated man, and his fifty-some years of history are right there on the screen, in Irwin's elastic mug, his manic gesturing (Paul's defense mechanism, we sense), his oddly distant eyes. It's a "big" performance in some ways, but it never begs for attention or tries to be a showcase for the actor. Consider Paul's "biggest" moment, when, in the middle of exuberant family merrymaking, he comes across something that stirs a terrible memory. It's a sentimental scene, turned powerful by the way Irwin delicately underplays it, letting the character fade away instead of imploding.
It's extraordinary, frankly -- a profound, unassuming work of genius. Paul doesn't have the most dialogue or screen time, not by a longshot, but I left knowing more about him than about any of his more prominent relatives. Bill Irwin for President; or, failing that, Best Supporting Actor.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-31-2008 @ 3:54PM
Joseph J. Finn said...
Irwin is not just a clown, but a clown in the tradition of Chaplin, Keaton and the like. He does beautiful, touching and hilarious work in the old vaudeville style (really, no one does the staircase inside of a suitcase trick like he does. I saw him do a one-man stage show at Steppenwolf a few years ago, and it's ridiculous how much effective thought he's put into his craft. (He also does Samuel Beckett monologues!)
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10-31-2008 @ 4:02PM
Tom said...
..and let's not forget he was in the bobby mcferrin 'don't worry be happy' music video.
10-31-2008 @ 4:10PM
Joseph J. Finn said...
Exactly, Tom! Plus, he did vaudeville work on Cosby show once (and come to think of it, he has a good part in the underrated Eight Men Out as Eddie Collins, the 2nd basemen for the White Sox who was increasingly frustrated by the bad play (Collins was not in on the fix)).
10-31-2008 @ 4:29PM
Alex said...
Be careful with the scene droppers- This is still a limited release.
Looking forward to catching it when it heads to my city.
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10-31-2008 @ 4:38PM
Eric said...
What?! You've never seen Elmo's neighbor on Elmo's World?! Mr. Noodle is God!! (Although technically, Mr. Noodle is the late, great Michael Jeter. Irwin is Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle and, yes, that's how he was introduced before Jeter passed.) Mr. Noodle also has a HOT sister, played by Kristin Chenoweth and rumors of a father to be played by Dick Van Dyke.
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10-31-2008 @ 5:17PM
SOS said...
Bill Irwin for President; Indeed!
If this is the Bill I remember (1964?) he was Student Body President at Hale Jr. High School, Woodland Hills, California.
Bill was terribly fun, remarkably stimulating to the mind and, awfully funny back in the day, too: some things don't change.
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11-01-2008 @ 1:09AM
gottacook said...
Bill Irwin was the FIRST Mr. Noodle - my daughters were Sesame Street watchers when the Elmo's World segments began. Michael Jeter later alternated as Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle; in one episode they appeared together, which was great fun.
Irwin did some great stage work as George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in DC and then on Broadway; he won the Best Actor (Play) Tony Award three years ago for that role.
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11-02-2008 @ 1:14AM
Pat Keenan said...
does anybody know if there's a picture online somewhere when he freaks out after the pregnancy announcement? it would be a great pic
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11-02-2008 @ 12:14PM
Andy said...
Bill Irwin is an insanely talented performer. First saw a taped performance of his show "IN REGARD TO FLIGHT" wherein a sweet clown-like performer has to deal with an overly-zealous theater critic in the audience. Brilliant stuff.
And he's won a MacArthur Genius grant.
--Andy
MastersofHumility.com
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11-03-2008 @ 1:48AM
katherine said...
i just saw this movie and came back to IMDB who played the father. He was absolutely incredible. I felt everything he was feeling. I will be highly disappointed if he's not acknowledged for this piece. Kudos to everyone involved. It was an emotional roller coaster & I loved every minute of it.
I really REALLY hope he gets a nomination (& statue) this year.
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11-15-2008 @ 3:32PM
Laurie Mann said...
I've always loved Bill Irwin, and part of the reason I went to Rachel Getting Married was to watch him. He was magnificent, and absolutely deserves a Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nomination.
Be sure to look him up on IMDB - while he's mostly known to New York theater-goers, he's done bit parts in lots of movies. I especially remember him from the Robin Williams Popeye.
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11-19-2008 @ 6:56PM
Logan69 said...
I totally agree. Irwin for Best Supporting Actor. For my money, Irwin stole every scene he was in. . . so much better an actor than poker-faced Bill Murray, who seemingly is nominated every time he makes a picture.
I was lucky enough to see Irwin in his Tony-winning role on Broadway opposite Kathleen Turner in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." Both were terrific.
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11-24-2008 @ 7:04PM
Paul L. Hovsepian said...
I agree, Bill Irwin was terrific as the lovable daddie, unable to deal with the deadly emotions the women felt. Yet, he gave heart and lightness to the family. I first saw Bill in episodes of Northern Exposure. He played a circus performer that only mimed his thoughts never spoke. He fell in love with Elaine, Joel's native American receptionist, pursued her and was eventually sadly spurned. Definetly best supporting actor nominee!
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12-02-2008 @ 7:34PM
maureen johnston said...
Bill Irwin also co-wrote, directed and starred in an adaption of SCAPIN at the Roundabout that was nothing short of sensational. I believe he introduced Kristen Chenoweth to the New York stage In her role as Hyacinth in this production - she too was priceless. No record seems to exist of this production that I can find; it's a lost classic.
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