It’s been a LONG time since our last poll (and that “Avatar” trailer intriguingly split the readership right down the middle). So I figured this weekend’s biggest awards-flavored release, “The Informant!,” was a good point of entry.
One of our loyal readers asked in the Sunday Cents column whether Matt Damon’s performance had enough steam to make it into Oscar contention once the rest of the field has shown itself, and I think that’s a fair enough question. I personally think it’s the actor’s best work to date and will have more than enough gas to get him there, but I’d like to know what readers thought of the work in general.
So have your say in this week’s sidebar poll. What did you think of Damon’s performance? Expand further in the comments section if you like.
Comments
16 responses to “POLL: What did you think of Matt Damon in ‘The Informant?’”
I saw the movie. It’s a very good movie. Matt Damon was very, very good, but not as great his Mr. Ripley (his best lying, juicy role). I think he will have a problem getting an Oscar nod (he’ll get the Golden Globe nod for comedic perf). I wonder if the shades of Ripley will remind voters how good an actor Damon is. Which he constantly proves even in his Bourne series. He probably deserves an Oscar nod, but that doesn’t mean they’ll let him.
(There was a chance for Soderberg to make the role more sympathetic towads the end, but it did not get there. And that factor is important if the acting is going to be subtle–. Voters sometimes do not get that.)
At this point Renner is leading Damon.
It was a damn fine performance and it was the only reason why i went to see (and liked) the movie.
I thought he was at his best in the Departed and GWH.
Damon is fantastic in this. I don’t think he’s necessarily a leading contender, but in a weak year (as this is), I think he’s got a good shot.
Renner will not be nominated.
I think Damon was great in The Informant, as in many other films (‘Ripley’, ‘Rounders’, ‘GWH’, etc), and will probably be nominated but will not win. I think he may have a better shot at Supporting Oscar for ‘Invictus’. So who knows.
I thought he was terrific. He found the perfect balance of ability to humanize the character, while also staying funny enough to be consistent with Soderbergh’s tone. I think he is certainly in Oscar contention.
I thought this performance was his best so far..well maybe tied with the Good Shepard. I would love to see him get nominated. He seems to be overlooked so often. Ripley, Departed, Shepard, even Bourne. Does he deserve to be nominated..yes. Will he Im not holding my breath.
I really liked him, but I still think Renner has given the performance of the year,
He was great in the film and really showcased his comedic talents. he won’t win, but I’m hoping he gets nominated. His best performance is in the very underrated The Good Shepherd.
He absolutely deserves to be nominated for what I agree is probably his best performance. He just nailed that role, didn’t he? Completely stuck the landing and brought that almost too-delusional-to-be-true character to perfect realization. Good film as well, walking that tightrope between flat-out absurdity and some real serious issues. Loved Hamlisch’s bombastic score and the film’s goofy/kitschy 70s aesthetic.
He was good, but I’m not sure what his chances of an Oscar nod are. I’m pretty confident he’ll get Golden Globe recognition, but Oscar I’m not so sure about.
ha thanks Kris, its not that his performance wasn’t good, it certainly was. But theres got to be 5 better performances this year. Id say Viggo, Duvall, Day lewis, Freeman, renner, Whalberg, Clooney, Stuhlberg, Firth, or maybe even Penn (who knows what we have in Tree Of Life) Id like to see Damon nominated when he has a small shot at winning, the informant would really be a filler spot making the race a little more predictable. Last year best actor was my favorite category, looks like it might be director this year though
Not sure if it was his best work to date, but i’m pretty sure he will get that nod. I loved the movie.
The biggest reason I went to see The Informant! was because it takes place in Decatur Illinois. which is only 2 towns away from I live. Very strange place. They call grilled cheese, Cheese Toasties there.
Why do people think he was good in “The Good Shepherd”?
I thought we all agreed he was blanded into nonexistence, and now a few years later, I’ve heard at least 3 people mention that as one of his best performances. What the eff?
People who call his performance in The Good Shepherd “bland” or “wooden” obviously misunderstood the point and the character.
I like Damon in the movie, but when it comes down between Renner or Damon, I think I’d rather see Jeremy Renner get the nod.
I’ve certainly not seen better from him. Great central performance. He nailed it.