"The Mauritanian" for the Oscar Race?
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 3:44PM by Eric Blume
Yesterday, Variety leaked word that STX will provide a late-entry film into the Oscar race. The Mauritanian, which was formerly titled Prisoner 760 (going from one bad title to another), is The Last King of Scotland director Kevin Macdonald's latest film. It stars A Prophet's leading man Tahir Rahim as a tortured captive in Guatanamo Bay and Jodie Foster as his lawyer. Variety critic Clayton Davis claims that Rahim and Foster deliver electrifying performances, and that they could find themselves in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress races, respectively.
Macdonald has had a bit of an erratic career since he directed Forest Whittaker to an Oscar back in 2006. His last film, the documentary Whitney, profiled the singer with limited depth but curiosity and sympathy. It'll be good to see him return to the arena of global politics, which seems to be his strength...
Tahar Rahim in Un Prophete
Tahir Rahim's performance in Jacques Audiard's stunning A Prophet back in 2009 was monumental, acting purely naturalistic and uncompromising, but with an epic edge to it that helped elevate the film to something larger. He won a richly-deserved Best Actor Cesar Award. He's worked continuously ever since in both French and American cinema, but hasn't ever received another role as well-written since... could this be it? It's always exciting (slash frustrating slash depressing) when Americans get to "discover" an actor who has long been well-loved and respected in their own country but are making their first big splash with a huge role in an accessible American film. I cannot wait to see him do his thing.
I will always stand firm saying that Jodie Foster is one of the greatest actors to ever stand before a camera, possessed of so many qualities unique to her that connect powerfully to a lens. She has that incredible gift of allowing you to see what's in her mind, on all levels, at all times, if she so desires. She doesn't work often, and when she does, her choices are surprising and dubious. She arguably hasn't had a juicy role in forever (maybe 2007's The Brave One or Polanski's film version of Carnage in 2012?), and she's overdue for just that. We really should have the joy of seeing Jodie onscreen more often. If it comes to pass, it'll be thrilling to see her net a fifth Oscar nomination.
The film's subject matter, and STX not really being an Oscar player, may hold The Mauritanian back from getting out there properly, so everything will have to be handled smartly. Release date is set for February 19, right at the end of the Oscar eligibility period. Is anyone else out there as excited to see Rahim and Foster come back in full force again? Sound off in the comments.
Reader Comments (10)
YES!
Jodie! YES PLEASE
Please Please let Jodie receive a 5th nod.
Always down for Jodie but I believe the only STX film to earn an Oscar nom is MOLLY'S GAME? Keeping my awards season expectations modest for this one.
Yes Yes Yes!!!
Lots of actors know how to play passion, depression, repression, suffering, craziness. Only a few know how to play intelligence, choosing to perform intellectually-gifted people who are not suppervillains, but, you know, people. Jodie's greatest moments are all about learning, studying, understanding. That's why she's so riveting to watch in Contact, Nell and The Silence of The Lambs. This role in The Mauritanian seems to be her perfect fit.
I remember a “french” Jodie Foster in A Very Long Engagement as her last great moment in cinema. I’m ready for a comeback!
Ready for the Fosteraissance! Sorry...
I'm torn because I want Foster behind the camera as much as I want her in front of it. So I'll be glad for this moment because at least we get one of them, right? BUT this kind of movie sounds like a depressing slog particularly after such a terrible year, and courtroom dramas are my least favorite genre. Here's hoping it manages to avoid some of those cliches.
Tahar Rahim was great in the mini series The Looming Tower (2018) as well and it was very well written indeed. You should wacth it.