He Overacted. He Did Too Much. He Deserves the Oscar.

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At the Oscars 2025, it’s expected that Jeremy Strong will likely not win the Best Supporting Actor award to his co-star Kieran Culkin from “Succession”. This prediction won’t shock anyone because Culkin has won almost every awards-season forerunner. His exceptional portrayal as a character who is both captivating and frustrating, manic and troubled, in Jesse Eisenberg’s movie “A Real Pain” truly deserves the praise it has received.

Excluding Culkin, Strong doesn’t seem like the definite second place winner in his category. It’s unusual for me to think that every nominee deserves the award in an Oscar category, but this year is definitely one of those instances. Guy Pearce might be the standout element in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist. Edward Norton demonstrates his exceptional talent with his portrayal of Pete Seeger in James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown. (You should watch that movie and then compare it to his Oscar-nominated performance in 1998’s American History X to understand Norton’s vast acting range.) And Yura Borisov’s Igor in Sean Baker’s Anora gives a lesson on how much an exceptional actor can convey with mere glances and quiet responses. (Watch Borisov in Juho Kuosmanen’s 2021 drama Compartment No. 6 to witness what he’s capable of with a larger role.)

In the meantime, actor Michael Strong has been nominated for his portrayal of Roy Cohn, a well-known conservative lawyer and fixer, in Ali Abbasi’s film The Apprentice. This movie follows the early life of Donald Trump, played by Sebastian Stan who is also up for an Oscar for Best Actor. The film has received mixed reviews, and Strong’s character is generally disliked. Although surprises have happened in the acting categories at the Academy Awards before, it seems unlikely that there will be one in 2025 favoring Strong.

It’s worth noting that Jeremy Strong’s performance in The Apprentice, or any supporting role from the past year, stands out exceptionally well, even among 2024’s films. If fairness reigned supreme (which it doesn’t), he’d take home the Oscar this year.

Titled “The Apprentice,” this movie that debuted at Cannes recently, narrates the account of how experienced influencer Cohn molded and backed Trump during the 1970s and ’80s. It illustrates how Cohn imparted his reckless disregard for facts, undervaluing dignity, and a relentless pursuit of victory onto the young, ambitious real-estate tycoon who was eager to escape from the long shadow cast by his demanding father. Trump found in Cohn a crucial ally to help him navigate around city officials and red tape. The film further depicts how an emerging Trump later discarded Cohn when the lawyer contracted AIDS.

In a remarkable fashion that only a few contemporary actors can pull off convincingly, Strong portrays Cohn in an impressive manner that’s not an exact imitation. While the real Cohn appeared more refined and cordial, Strong blends a broad depiction of the true Cohn with an intensely animalistic flair. In their initial scene together, Strong’s portrayal of Cohn fixates on Trump (played by Stan) with a piercing gaze, as if spotting Donald from across a private club. Later, he manipulates Trump in their first interaction— alternating between flattery and humiliation, similar to a cunning suitor. Strong transforms the character’s underlying emotions into overt actions in his performance. His lines are consistently aggressive, and his neck often jerks out like an over-stimulated frog, one of Cohn’s favorite creatures. This portrayal is unlike any human we’ve ever encountered—it’s this uniqueness that makes it captivating, showcasing Strong’s artistic talent.

As a film enthusiast, taking on the role of Roy Cohn in “The Apprentice” is like playing a high-stakes game of charades. It’s a delicate dance between conviction and exaggeration, a fine line I tread carefully, lest I be accused of overacting. Yet, I draw inspiration from legends like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney, channeling their raw energy to shatter our preconceived notions about understated performances.

I see “The Apprentice” as a modern Frankenstein tale, with Roy Cohn as the mad scientist, proclaiming, “It’s alive!” in the face of adversity. The suspense is palpable, as we eagerly await his next move or word, unable to look away. To put it simply: If Jeremy Strong can’t captivate Trump on screen, the movie falls flat. And I aim to do just that – captivate not only Trump but you, the audience.

In essence, Strong’s performance is commendable, but the film fails to match it, as it shies away from delving into what exactly drew Cohn to Trump initially. This hesitation might stem from the filmmakers’ political objectives during an election year, fearing to imply that Donald Trump may have had some form of charm in the past. However, Stan’s portrayal is solid, but the movie version of Trump loses its appeal once Cohn’s role diminishes significantly. On his own, this movie’s Trump doesn’t present an engaging villain.

Without a doubt, Jeremy Strong’s presence stirs intense emotions, to put it mildly. Whenever there’s an interview or profile about him, social media floods with remarks about his method, his deep immersion into characters, and his unwavering commitment to his artistry. Interestingly enough, the public’s view of Strong, as well as sometimes the media’s, seems influenced as much by Kendall Roy from Succession as it is by Jeremy Strong himself. It’s possible that he cultivates this image, to some extent. It’s possible that he accepts it. It’s also possible that it’s simply a result of creating a character like Kendall Roy, who has captivated the public imagination to such an extent.

Unlike many contemporary performers who often seem to play variations of themselves or follow a consistent pattern, Jeremy Strong demonstrates an exceptional ability to create entirely new characters with each role. This unique talent sets him apart from actors like Tom Cruise, Timothée Chalamet, and even Macaulay Culkin, who also exhibit this knack for transformation. While performers such as the young Daniel Day-Lewis and Laurence Olivier were renowned for their precise acting, Strong’s work is reminiscent of icons like Marlon Brando and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who seemed to conjure fresh personalities from nothing. Despite his relatively short film career, Strong has already established himself as a rare breed among actors, with the potential for immortality in his craft.

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2025-02-21 01:56