Six Essential Performances By Ben Mendelsohn
More than a few great character actors have found themselves on the rise after long, distinguished careers which fell “under the radar.” In America, Ben Mendelsohn (currently in Starred Up and upcoming Lost Rivers, Black Seas, Exodus, and Slow West) is a name that has only emerged as one to watch a couple years ago, but according to director Derek Cianfrance, he’s long been “Australia’s hidden treasure.” He’s only made a few appearance in “big budget” films (Dark Knight Rises and Australia) but in the indie world, his filmography is an impressive blend of romantic leads, impulsive man-boys, and maniacs for more than three decades.
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In a movie which is at times aggressively visceral, his is violent outbursts still always feel unexpected and hard to watch. And yet, he gets the biggest laughs in the movie
Mendelsohn does some of his best work with criminally under-appreciated writer/director David Caesar, and their second (of three) collaborations couldn’t have been less like the violent, aggressive Idiot Box. Mullet (2001) is a gentle and relaxed little movie that feels more like a throwback to the low-key films of the 70s. Mendelsohn’s title character is named after the local fish that he catches, which everyone else throws back, or throws away, in disgust. Like a small town Llewyn Davis, Mullet is not a likable character, speaking what he perceives as the truth and living with a persistent chip on his shoulders. But his wounded puppy dog reactions to perceived slights by friends and family leave audiences wondering what caused him to believe “everyone seems to want me gone.” His performance is delicate and understated, but just as vivid as his more kinetic characters, and shows a truly generous performer at work, playing off each actor with a spontaneity which enlivens this little movie.
Despite the number of performances to choose from, the last three performances come from the past four years because, he’s been on a bit of a hot streak. The film which struck a chord for international audiences was Animal Kingdom (2010), a must see in the crime genre, about a family of criminals, stealing nearly every scene from a pretty strong ensemble. Mendelsohn’s Pope, a psychopath who brings his family down after trying to avenge his partner-in-crime, and is more than willing to do literally anything out of self-preservation. Of all the masculine characters in this movie, Mendlesohn looks the straightest, until you note the intense stare which looks like a predatory animal, constantly sizing up potential prey. At times he suggests that there was a potential to be a human being…but that potential was drained long ago, leaving only a lonely, vicious person in his place. And few moments will leave you as disturbed as his interactions with his nephew’s girlfriend.
It would be a challenge to find a heroin addict in film more pathetic or as funny as his character, who lives for pleasure, no matter how depraved.
Considering Killing Them Softly underperformed and Animal Kingdom was a foreign film, the only one of these six performances you’re likely to have seen was The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) as Ryan Gosling’s bank robbing partner/mentor. In truth, Place Beyond the Pines isn’t as satisfying a complete film as the three part, father-son epic intended. But Mendelsohn’s Robin might the most consistent and lovable performance in the entire film. Introduced when he establishes an instant, undying friendship with Gosling, his is perhaps the only pure relationship in the film, making Gosling’s betrayal that much harder to watch. Confident and easy, his lovable performance is that much more incredible to know that as written, Robin was written as a corrupting villain. But Derek Cianfrance rewrote the character into an endearing buddy after meeting and working out the character with Mendelsohn, even allowing him to improvise the film’s tagline.
Ben Mendelsohn appears this week in Starred Up.
What is your favorite Ben Mendelsohn performance?
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