Where's Peter?

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I've been putting this off for a while now, but the continued absence of presumed Best Actor contender Peter O'Toole is becoming more and more of a factor. By that I mean a kind of puzzlement. He almost didn't accept his honorary Oscar in '03 because he felt he was still very much in the game and wanted to win an acting Oscar for a particular performance instead. And now that his brilliant Venus performance as an aging but randy British actor has made this a real possibility, O'Toole is suddenly a non-campaigner and a no-show. Something isn't right.

The decision by the 74 year-old veteran to not "make the rounds" at this critical juncture (between right now and Christmas is peak Oscar campaigning time -- everyone is doing post-screening q & a's and attending parties like mad right now -- even the campaign-shy Meryl Streep is doing a couple of events next week) means one of two things: (1) O'Toole and his people are banking that he's Roman Polanski and can take the prize without actively campaigning (a la Polanski's Best Director Oscar for The Pianist) or (2) health issues are perhaps more of a factor that his people are letting on.

He bailed on visiting the Toronto Film Festival over health issues, and at the last minute. He didn't show up for the Los Angeles Venus press junket, presumably for the same reason. He's not attending next Monday's big Oscar-push Miramax party. And he won't be in L.A. through all of December, and he's not even planning to visit here until mid-January, according to a 42 West publicist who's working on the Venus campaign. So if he does anything in the way of parties and/or personal appearances, O'Toole will basically be doing of those "sorry I'm late but better late than never" Phase 2 routines.

Maybe less-is-more and later-is-better will turn out to be a brilliant move, but O'Toole is, let's face it, not altogether a widely beloved figure and he could probably do with a little flesh-pressing and image-buffering. On top of the fact that reactions to Venus itself have been admiring and respectful, yes, but not 100% ecstatic. I'm only mentioning this because I've loved the guy and his work for years, and I'd hate to see him not win the Best Actor Oscar because he didn't "work it."

comment #1

NYCritic says ...

Do you really think he has a chance if Helen Mirren is the Best Actress frontrunner? Will the Academy give both of the top acting prizes to Miramax? If they do, will that be a perceived F- You to the Weinsteins?

I saw VENUS and liked it but perhaps so much had already been made about O'Toole's performance that I was somewhat disappointed by it. He was good but not great. Now I know good but not great can win awards (Hello Julia Roberts) but given all the love doled out to THE QUEEN, what's the possible scenario here? And should they decide to award the prize to O'Toole, does that hurt Mirren's chances any?

comment #2

Gabriel says ...

Could he be showing his scorn for the Academy as a result of the chip on his shoulder for having been written off with the Honorary in 2003?

Either way, I say he continue to shun the game and refuse to "work it". Win or lose, at least he'll still have his dignity, unlike Scorsese in the early-00's.

comment #3

dixiedugan says ...

O'Toole never struck me as an active Oscar campaign type of actor. In fact, I'd probably think less of him if he was.

It may well be that his health isn't the best. Didn't he suffer from a bout of stomach cancer or intense ulcers at one time? If he's had an unfortunate reoccurance that could have sidelined him.

comment #4

ArchiveGuy says ...

I think dixie's got it--he's never been much of a campaigner, and he's not going to start at a time when it's harder than ever to go round after round of functions, screenings, media events, and parties. That routine is exhausting for anyone and he doesn't have to be on death's door to simply prefer to let the film speak for itself if it means not killing himself over a statue that he now *does* have.

comment #5

p.Vice says ...

Face it, folks -- he won't live to win the Oscar. Yeah, he probably doesn't give a shit about "campaigning" at this point since it hasn't worked yet. And he isn't the type to play up the old-and-never-won card. But I'll bet you right now he's dead by the end of January. Didn't Jeffrey report that after the Toronto cancellation the publicist said he was coming in December to make the rounds? And now he's not coming until January? Fuck that shit, he's on his way out. And no doubt the Academy will act accordingly and give it to him after he croaks.

Who knows? Maybe he figured that the only way to win was to die beforehand.

comment #6

thatmovieguy says ...

O'Toole wasn't at the AFI FEST screening of VENUS either, although Roger Michell and Jodie Whittaker were. The film went over very well (although a few of the older audience members could be heard gasping at some of the salty language and innuendos; guess they don't spend much time with veteran actors!) and no one mentioned anything about the status of O'Toole's health during the Q&A afterward. It's a good film and he did a fine job, although my favorite O'Toole performance is still MY FAVORITE YEAR.

comment #7

erniesouchak says ...

Sure, he did a fine job, but it's a performance he could deliver in his sleep. Where was the challenge? Maybe he knows it.

comment #8

Hallick says ...

p.Vice, stop campaigning so sensitively to eulogize O'Toole when he "croaks". I'm getting choked up already.

comment #9

Devin Faraci says ...

After seeing PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS at a "For Your Consideration" screening tonight and listening to all the sobbing old people in the room, I have no doubt the statue belongs to Will Smith.

comment #10

christian says ...

gee, why isn't the 74 year old peter o'toole breakdancing in a room full of academy bloggers? must be something up cos the trained actor monkey isn't doing exactly what we think he should...

comment #11

austin111 says ...

Yeah, I have no doubt that Smith will pull it out. I do think O'Toole is quite obviously not in the best of health and will be unlikely to attend any ceremonies this year, winner or not. Smith is the one big superstar who can do just about anything left in Hollywood (Cruise has basically flamed out for the moment), is very well liked, seems absolutely normal, and is extremely talented. What more is needed? A decent film role that brings on the tears about a real life present day Horatio Alger. A no-brainer if you ask me. It's Tom Hanks all over again.

comment #12

Devin Faraci says ...

And just picture Smith accepting the award and pointing out the real Chris Gardener in the audience. Cameras cut to him, tears flowing down his cheeks - it's this year's Jamie Foxx cries about his dead grandma.

comment #13

Rich S. says ...

Health issues or not, I would think that O'Toole has earned the right not to campaign. It's like that old story about Shelley Winters. Someone wanted her to screen test for a movie. She showed up at the test with an oversized purse. She sat at the desk and first pulled out her Oscar for Anne Frank and then pulled out her Oscar for Patch of Blue. She then said something along the lines of "I think these say I don't have to test."

If O'Toole doesn't want to campaign (or can't), then someone else should be doing it for him. I will say one thing, though. If he dies before the ballots are due, he wins. It would be Peter Finch all over again.

comment #14

The Movie Man says ...

Guys, I think Oscar mania is taking over a little when a legend's impending death is viewed strictly through how it affects his Oscar chances. Maybe he's not campaigning because, at this point in his life, after so many years and classics, and just plain life experience, he knows it doesn't mean a god damn thing. Is that really that difficult to believe?

P.S. Will Smith winning over Peter O'Toole? That sounds about right.

comment #15

christian says ...

what movie man said.

and will smith vs peter o'toole reveals exactly what's wrong with the academy awards. smith does his shtick well, but for the most part, he's played will smith onscreen.

and if you think i'm forgiving his ego for WILD WILD WEST...

ACABA!

comment #16

sardine says ...

oh jeffy, you do worry so much...it must make good business. I have not seen the movie, but if Peter O'Toole deserves it, so be it. Birth, old age, sickness and death...it even happens to movie stars. in the mean time live it up, have a life. academy choices are so often SQUARE. But it is their club. the oscars for some reason are not as fun as they used to be....we wish Peter well....now don't worry so much Jeffy.

comment #17

cjKennedy says ...

Will somebody who's seen the film please tell me it's better than the by-the-numbers trailer? Please? Seriously. Tell me the performances make it special. Tell me there's some great dialogue. Tell me anything, just don't tell me it's a 90 minute feel-good sitcom with no commercials. Please?

comment #18

dixiedugan says ...

Somewhere, this elegant rascal is having a neat gin and smiling sardonically over all this.

comment #19

JeanneValJean says ...

C'mon, Movie Man. Did you forget a film called "Ali" -- Smith deserved it, more than Foxx for Ray.

comment #20

Edward says ...

No one's mentioning Forest Whitaker winning for "The Last King of Scotland." I haven't seen any of these films yet, but Forest Whitaker is one of the finest actors around. He was brilliant in the excellent "Bird" and the great "Ghost Dog."

comment #21

Devin Faraci says ...

I'm not sure what that has to do with a conversation about the Oscars, Edward.

comment #22

Sophie says ...

I think O'Toole is on record as saying he doesn't do premieres etc. He prefers to do stuff and piss off or in so many words. He probably doesn't want to stay in LA for long time. He's going to NY in January for a screening at the Y.

comment #23

ArchiveGuy says ...

Re: Will Smith--every black actor who has more than one acting nomination has gone on to win the Oscar. "Happyness" will be Smith's second.

comment #24

austin111 says ...

"And just picture Smith accepting the award and pointing out the real Chris Gardener in the audience. Cameras cut to him, tears flowing down his cheeks - it's this year's Jamie Foxx cries about his dead grandma."

Devin, I do believe we are totally on the same wavelength here. O'Toole does at least have his honorary oscar, doesn't he? I might add that it's this year's Tom Hanks crying about his gay teacher after winning for Philadelphia. How can AMPAS pass up the opportunity? Too utterly predictable, isn't it?

comment #25

nola says ...

I finally saw Last King of Scotland. Forest was incredible. He better get a nom. I haven't seen Happyness so don't comment on Will vs. Forest. Then again last year's Jamie vs. Don, jamie won, so I guess it's looking great for Will.

comment #26

The Movie Man says ...

JeanneValJean-I actually like Will Smith, he's pretty charming in movies and does the movie star thing well. He's good at winning you over even though the film's are frequently medicore. I agree that he's very strong in ALI. All that said, he's no Peter O'Toole. Once again, not a huge insult, most people aren't Peter O'Toole. I'm not sure I get the comparison with Jamie in Ray though, two different years, if I recall ALI was in 2001 and RAY 2004.

comment #27

corey3rd says ...

Maybe they should just hire Jude Law to play O'Toole in the campaign.

comment #28

JeanneValJean says ...

Movie Man - yes, two different years. It was a just a thought about disappearing in a role. For me, Smith's performance was outstanding and made me forget he was Will Smith. Not to take anything away from Jamie Scott, I just didn't believe he was Ray Charles.
As for Mr. O'Toole - one of a kind. He should have already won, many times before.

comment #29

JeanneValJean says ...

That was Foxx - my apologies

comment #30

KamikazeCamelV2.0 says ...

Whoa! Somebody else agrees with me about Foxx in Ray. Shocking. I thought he should've been nominated for Collateral over Ray if anything (and i mean in lead, cause if that was a supporting performance then so was Geena Davis in Thelma & Louise or any other number of combos.

comment #31

JeanneValJean says ...

Kamikaze - YES!! He was marvelous in COLLATERAL.
And I'm not crazy about Tom Cruise - but Foxx was fantastic and very much the lead! He's the reason I bought it.

Ray -eh. I wish it had been better. I wanted it to be better, but it didn't reach in and grab my heart like ALI or Capote did.

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