Here comes John Malkovich

The BFI London Film Festival is happening, which is the stop on the trophy trail that best serves the BAFTAs. The premiere of Martin McDonagh’s Wild Horse Nine was today, bringing out John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Mariana Di Girolamo, and Steve Buscemi, along with McDonagh himself.

I still think John Malkovich is on a path to dominate awards season. Andrew Scott is also front and center with Elsinore, but Malkovich has the advantage of an “it’s his time” campaign. He hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar since 1994’s In the Line of Fire, he’s never been nominated for Best Actor. Wild Horse Nine is career best work for Malkovich, that combined with decades of being one of the most admired actors of his generation…feels unbeatable. Like I won’t be surprised if the BAFTA breaks for Andrew Scott, but the Oscar goes to John Malkovich.

But keep an eye on Chilean actress Mariana Di Girolamo, too. This is her, looking quite foxy at the London premiere:

What is sticking with me most from Wild Horse Nine is her character, and the bitter lesson she learns. She’s fantastic, I currently have her listed as a dark horse, no pun intended, for Best Supporting Actress.

And then there is Sam Rockwell, who has become an Academy favorite. He is a great actor, but I also think it’s because he’s fun. I think people like having Sam Rockwell at the party. He never seems overburdened with an excess of seriousness (though co-stars talk constantly about how prepared he always is, so you know he takes his work seriously, he just doesn’t seem to take himself seriously).

I’m lowkey dreading The Discourse once Wild Horse Nine hits theaters in November, because people, American audiences especially, really seem to struggle with his work. They’re happy to chalk In Bruges up to “dudes rock” without considering how that film fits into his thematic interests in friendship, regret, forgiveness, and the limits of grace. McDonagh loves to make a detestable protagonist charming and see how far he can test your patience, because his characters are wrestling with the same cognitive dissonance of knowing they’re bad but wanting forgiveness, or acceptance, or both. Can’t wait to watch everyone get mad about the grace allegory.

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What else happened today…

Ben Shelton didn’t win the US Open but he was its breakout star. He’s talking losses, perseverance, and what he learned from his girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman. (Popsugar)

The women of American Horror Story 13 are going places and wearing things. (Go Fug Yourself)

Jeremy Strong will not apologize for his Method acting. Okay. (Celebitchy)

Jason Tabrys argues that Tom Cruise and his impenetrable persona killed Digger. I don’t disagree. (Pajiba)