‘Memory’ Offers Painful Reminder the Academy Still Owes Peter Sarsgaard an Oscar Nom: Will They Remember This Year?

Peter Sarsgaard’s Ongoing Oscar Snub

A Look Back at Sarsgaard’s Oscar Journey

Once upon a time, actor Peter Sarsgaard won the most precursor prizes during the 2003-2004 awards season for his supporting turn in Billy Ray’s “Shattered Glass”. In the movie, his character is Charles Lane, a recently promoted editor who harbors suspicions that one of his revered writers (portrayed by Hayden Christensen) may have fabricated certain stories. It was a breakout performance in the early days of online Oscar punditry that had everyone buzzing. However, despite his efforts, when the highly anticipated televised ceremonies arrived, he was only able to secure a nomination for a Golden Globe, followed by unexpected snubs from SAG, BAFTA and eventually the Academy Awards.

The Elusive Oscar Nod

In recent awards history, there were a few occasions where the recipient of critics’ acting prizes failed to receive Oscar recognition, including Ethan Hawke for “First Reformed”. Over the past two decades, the industry has made efforts to rectify this, with Hawke coming close to potential Oscar attention for films like “Kinsey” (2004), “Jarhead” (2005), “An Education” (2009), and “Experimenter” (2014). However, his name was not called. It was only last year that he received his first-ever Emmy nomination for his outstanding work in Hulu’s “Dopesick”.

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Sarsgaard’s Latest Oscar Contender

A Glimpse into “Memory”

Adding to his repertoire, he now introduces a potential contender in Michel Franco’s romantic drama “Memory.” The film made its debut at Venice and was showcased to both critics and audiences at TIFF. Within the story, Sarsgaard portrays Saul, a man grappling with early onset dementia. His presence disrupts the life of Sylvia, a social worker portrayed by Jessica Chastain, ultimately compelling them both to confront their pasts.

Powerful Performances and Prestigious Win

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Blending the essence of Jonathan Demme’s “Rachel Getting Married” with Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland’s “Still Alice,” this film truly becomes a showcase for actors. Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard deliver performances that are raw and powerful, showcasing their immense talent. Sarsgaard’s exceptional work even earned him the esteemed Volpi Cup for Best Actor, joining the ranks of past honorees such as Brad Pitt in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” and River Phoenix in “My Own Private Idaho”.

Campaigning Strategy for Sarsgaard

Supporting Actor Consideration

Given that Venice does not offer “supporting acting” awards, it would be unwise to assume that Sarsgaard should be campaigned as a lead actor, especially considering the already impressive roster of names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeffrey Wright. In fact, considering the narrative’s heavy focus on Chastain’s character, it would be much more appropriate and feasible to submit Sarsgaard for supporting actor consideration, assuming the film is acquired.

Industry Interest and Challenges Ahead

The Venice victory has garnered attention from industry insiders, including the acquisitions teams of Neon (led by CEO Tom Quinn) and streaming powerhouse Netflix. Both were present at the press and industry screening on Sunday afternoon. The outstanding performances by the film’s leads, complemented by a stellar cast including Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, and Jessica Harper, have sparked curiosity about potential awards recognition. Chastain, an Oscar winner for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” delivers an astonishing performance, which is hardly surprising in today’s film landscape. However, breaking through in a competitive field of lead actresses will undoubtedly be a challenge.

Sarsgaard is poised to carve out a distinct path in the supporting category, even with heavyweights like Robert Downey Jr., Robert DeNiro, and Ryan Gosling seemingly locked and loaded. However, for Sarsgaard’s success, it will be crucial to ensure the film gains recognition in other categories as well. While securing a sole supporting nomination is challenging, it is not impossible. For every triumph like Penélope Cruz’s (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”), there are tales of omissions, such as Idris Elba (“Beasts of No Nation”), Daniel Bruhl (“Rush”), and Eddie Redmayne (“The Good Nurse”) from last year, who missed out on Oscars despite Globe and SAG nominations.

Venice Film Festival and Oscar Predictions

Venice vs. Oscars

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In the past two decades, the prestigious Venice prizes, including the highly sought-after Golden Lion, have aligned with the Oscars’ selection for best picture on only two occasions: “The Shape of Water” and “Nomadland.” It remains uncertain whether this trend will continue with this year’s victor, “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

Venice to Oscars Transition

Moreover, when it comes to men’s path to Oscar success through Venice, there is no direct route to Academy recognition as one might hope. Throughout the history of the Venice Film Festival, only two winners – Frederic March for “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in 1932 and Paul Muni for “The Story of Louis Pasteur” in 1936 – have gone on to win the coveted Oscar for Best Actor. As for nominees, in the past decade, only a handful have successfully translated their recognition at Venice to AMPAS nominations. These include Willem Dafoe for “At Eternity’s Gate” in 2018, the joint winners Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix for “The Master” in 2012, and Colin Farrell for “The Banshees of Inisherin” last year.

The Wait for Recognition

A Long-Awaited Industry Moment

It is high time for the industry to acknowledge a talent like Sarsgaard. Franco allows him to deliver an introspective performance, free from the typical clichés often used for awards recognition, and filled with a compelling physicality that truly deserves acclaim.

Will This Be Sarsgaard’s Year?

Will Sarsgaard finally have his long-awaited breakthrough, or will he continue to be a fleeting memory in the minds of Oscar voters? Here’s to hoping for the former, where his talent is recognized and celebrated.