Why Ralph Doesn't Win Awards...

[fiennesite]

Okay, I love a good discussion, and this one has been bubbling about for the past week since the Globes, and frankly has been going on more than 10 years after his losses for Schindler's List and snubs for The English Patient.

First let me say I am a tried and true fan of Ralph Fiennes. But....I wish he would play the Hollywood game just a little bit. Of course many of us love him because he isn't a mainstream action star...he's the quintessential "odd bod" like many of his characters.

Ralph Fiennes is an acting genius. The fact that he has not been recognized by his peers needs examining. I think it's his attitude. Nobody buys it frankly...and that's why he doesn't win. It's not because he's unpopular, but I think because he is one of those actors who acts like they are too good to play the Hollywood game. To say you don't care about winning awards is frankly a load of bull sh*t, and that is the attitude that basically turns off voters in these award races.

Ralph isn't warm and fuzzy, as Almasy said...he's not good at social graces...yet we hear in articles about how he's fun in real life, does all kinds of crazy passionate stuff in his private life...yet not much of that side of him comes through in interviews, in PR related situations, red carpets, etc. Frankly I think Hollywood thinks RF has a stick up his arse and is too good for Tinsel town.

So that's my take on why he doesn't win awards. I want Ralph to be recognized for his amazing work, and I want "Oscar winning actor" to prefix his name in every article. I think it's entirely possible to be a dignified actor and still be a little bit Hollywood. Come on Ralph...you can do it...just a couple more parties, get the tongues wagging...take out some hot actress...somewhat close to your age...get some buzz going for your fine self...you deserve it ;-)

my two cents;-)

[Abs]

I agree with you completely fiennesite. However, the awards, as we all know, should be based on performances of actors/actresses, not how popular or entertaining they are in public. After all, the award is for best PERFORMANCE by an actor in a lead or supporting role, not their personality. However, the world is not perfect, and critics and judges will choose who they will choose....unfortunately Ralph gets the back end of it. Oh well...he knows we all love him! :)

[Abs]

Mindy, I completely understand the concept that it's a popularity contest...as I stated earlier, I agree with what fiennesite said. I was simply stating that it is completely unfair to judge actors in that way, as the awards are ment to be for their performances. If they want to judge actors like that, that's their choice, but perhaps they should change the name of the award to: actor with best personality, lol. No need to worry, I of course understand why Ralph has not won any of these awards. I only wanted to express the fact that actors and actresses with trully great performances are being robbed of the credit that they deserve. So, there's my two cents.....that's 6 cents towards Ralph's award fund! :)

Little Warrior

[trugannini]

I am a long way from there, but Mindy, who is Susan Lucci, and what was her claim to fame with the Academy? :)

[A1C]

That's odd, because I could've sworn that Ralph has mentioned that he would like to get awards and has even expressed hurt and puzzlement in not getting nominated for the Constant Gardener. I don't see how that's evidence of him showing that he doesn't care about not winning awards. I see him as taking the pragmatic approach of not expecting to win so it's not as much of a disappointment when it doesn't happen. I think one of the reason he doesn't get awards is because of his unwillingness to play "the Game," and also because he rubs people in that crowd the wrong way. I fully sympathize with Ralph when people accuse him of being stuck-up or pretentious, because I've gotten the same type of comments thrown at me. I'm very guarded and uneasy around people I don't know and I guess some people misread my shyness as arrogance and aloofness. It's a shame that people make those kinds of assumptions, but that's human nature for you.

[Abs]

I too sympathize with Ralph in this way. I am EXTREMELY shy in public and will be the last one to be comfortable around people I don't know. My mother, and sometimes friends, give me a hard time for it constantly...but I simply don't like being open around people who I am unfamiliar with. I'm sure his trouble is due to "the game," but it is very unfortunate that it has anything to do with winning an award.... :(

[fiennesite]

I understand your points about social shyness...and perhaps that is part of Ralph's problem with how he is perceived...but it seems all a bit too much considering his life's work is about making himself the focus of attention and part of his job is to promote his work. I'm not so sure it's about popularity in Hollywood as it is about good marketing...and I don't think there's anything wrong with a little good self-marketing. But I'd really love to know what is the difference between Tom Wilkinson and Ralph Fiennes...Tom gets awards up the yinyang, and maybe that's because his general persona is affable, and he's been in everything. Maybe RF needs to be a little less choosy with his parts...not play such weird affected characters and try to dig into more main line drama...Constant Gardener was close...but once again, the picture was too small, the story too unknown...sigh...I'd like to see him in a romantic lead...but something complex and with teeth, but not with him being an adulterous jerk, which seems to be how he gets cast. I think when people see Ralph reveal something of himself inside a juicy part, and then feel like they really connect with him and not just a character...then MAYBE he'll get an award, and then only if he plays the game somewhat...sigh.

[trugannini]

clink rattle Thanks for mentioning Tom Wilkinson Mary. I love him. and yes he is affable, approachable, and he was just amazing in The Full Monty. Adulterous jerk is right - - let us see him in something other than the anti-hero He has proved time and time again that he's got the anti-hero off pat! Now, as the character said in TEOTA, pain is easy to write, but what can one write about happiness..... I agree, Ralph has to get his teeth into some characters who are looking Outward, not so Inward.....I wonder what a good story might be, um ..... any thoughts about this....let's go positive. MIM doesn't count! :)

[trugannini]

My turn? Clink...pays two cents Thank you Mary for opening this up! What got me going about all of this stuff, was that he wasn't on the BAFTA list this year! A1C, I read where Ralph said "it would be nice" to win an award. Let's start with the premise that he is not competitive. Didn't do sport when he was young, and the (stupid) Jan Leno said, when hearing about Ralph's toy theatre, "that would have got you beaten up over here". I applaud Ralph's difference, as we all do. I applaud his choice of characters, as most of us do. I applaud his commitment to his craft. We all support him in all of this. As Mary says this has been bubbling away for years. Did any of the English Shakespearean actors who chose to do some film work win an Oscar? Ralph is, first and foremost a Theatre (read Stage) actor, who happens to some film work. I don't think he has ever said that film work, for him is No. 1.
Abs is right, he isn't prepared to 'play the game', and, I'm sure accepts the (non) results. He goes to all these ego-fests because he is nominated for something or other, I don't think he would go if he had not been nominated. In other words he is polite, hasn't got any statement to make about it one way or the other. Daniel Day Lewis, Damian Lewis, et al need to eat, so that is why, I guess, they have gone over to the US to do some work. Finally, the Academy really need, as we all know, a hard lesson in talent...he is just too good, and they do not understand. Mindy has made some very valid points above.
I haven't written anything new here. it's all been said so often. I predict, however, that Ralph will, one day, with an Oscar. So I'll just keep cruising.......

[trugannini]

PS clink rattle Geoffry Rush, the Australian actor who played David Helfgott in the film Shine thanked Hollywood for not accepting him in the lead role when the Director from Australia
took the script over there. He was shunned, went home and made it himself with the Actor he wanted, Geoffry Rush. Rush was implying that he had not needed Hollywood. Ralph with TEP missed out that year to Shine, indeed, Ralph was quoted as saying how terrific he thought Rush was. He also said that he had voted for Rush himself. Now, what was that all about I wonder. Ralph voted for Rush. Who does get to vote in this Oscar business anyway?? I think that's enough from moi. :)

[fiennesite]

Check out this interview:
http://ralphfiennes.ning.com/video/amc-tv-sunday-morning-shootout

This is very poignant to our discussion. Notice, these guys are peers...and they are calling RF's bluff with a comparison to Olivier...saying his focus on gestures was mimicry...ok...I'm not saying that RF is like Olivier...but I do say...as they are comparing him here...I agree sometimes...that RF is great at playing a part...but is he inhabiting the part...do we ever really see or know part of who he is in the role. Ralph himself has said he focuses on the little things, the wardrobe, the gestures, and he does often talk of motivations and finding parts of his experience that help him get into the role...but I think we need to see him really there...instead of the character...instead of the costume. For you, which role in RF's career showed you something even close to him really being THERE...maybe Justin a bit...he was close...but I think he needs something more. Gosh if we could just write him the perfect screen play sigh...

[Glynnis]

Ralph always seems warm and fuzzy to me...he's very poised in interviews and sweet to the press. He definitely deserved the Oscar for Schindler's List and today's Oscar voters admitted that in EW magazine. It's just that most Oscar performances aren't as internal as Ralph's. Ralph is so natural and wonderful but he needs to do a movie where he wrenches your heart out...he needs another OMG role like Amon Goeth. He's starting to typecast himself as the cold jerk (it's what the Academy sees) though we delve deeper and see Ralph's gorgeous nuances.

Just my opinion.

[Liza]

I'm long-winded and very opinionated. The economy being what it is, I'd better contribute a dime *chink!* : )

trugannini, you're right. I don't think Ralph is at all competitive. He loves the work, the creative process, the working with other people, getting into the part and the story and bringing that character and story to life. That's what he truly enjoys, that's his priority! : )
And if that's what he loves and thrives on ....God bless him in it!! And we get to enjoy the results!!! : )

I think Ralph isn't trying to be something he's not and I love that about him. He's matured and gotten much more comfortable in interviews. I've seen humor and a great enthusiasm and sweetness in many of them. Anyone in Hollywood who thinks Ralph has a stick up his ass should take the time to know him better before passing such presumptuous judgments. I think Hollywood society can be (as Mindy said) plastic and incredibly shallow sometimes. The system is screwed up, not the person. And just because it's accepted that way doesn't mean that one should fall in and tow the line. I pray Ralph never compromises himself that way.

I don't think saying that winning awards doesn't matter is a load of nonsense. I've also heard Ralph say it would be nice to receive the acknowledgment. He just tries not let it be a big priority and certainly not a guide in choosing his roles. I think that's a good thing. I'm glad he doesn't play the Hollywood game. He shouldn't have too. Abs is right. These awards are supposed to be about the quality of an actor's performance, not about how much ass he can kiss or how much sensation he can stir up for media attention.

Yes, these awards seem more popularity contests than anything. That they are what they are and are generally accepted that way doesn't make it right and Ralph shouldn't have to adjust himself to that status quo. Though I'm sure, as anyone would, he might feel the sting of not being acknowledged, I think he generally keeps a good perspective about all this.

If he enjoys a great star-studded party...great, if he wants to date a gorgeous actress and it gets his picture plastered all over the place...awesome. If that mainstream role comes along that fits him like a glove and gets him every accolade he deserves that would be completely wonderful. I'd be 1000% ecstatic for him... if these are the things he wants.

Maybe the priority is to be true to the person he is comfortable being, the roles and projects that truly move and inspire him, collaborating with friends and fellow artists he enjoys working with. Maybe being real and true to his heart and soul and self is more important than the image the world wants for its entertainment and gratification. The person he'll live with for the rest of his life should matter more than fleeting praise and popularity and a statue that once collected will do nothing but collect dust on a shelf. Yes, its an acknowledgment that might sit nicely before his name for the rest of his life, but maybe he doesn't feel it's something worth compromising for. If he's happy as such then I'm 1000% behind him too. : )