by Nathaniel R
We had dreaded this day coming. Albert Finney has passed away at 82 years of age from a chest infection. He'd been battling health troubles for years, which is why the filmography abruptly ends at Skyfall (2012) but what a elegiac blockbuster of a swansong, yes? In recent years we'd repeatedly suggested him for an Honorary Oscar but the Academy rarely listens to our brilliant ideas. Instead he'll retain the sad distinction of being the second most-nominated male movie star never to have received a competitive OR honorary Oscar behind only Richard Burton (Character actor Arthur Kennedy was also nominated 5 times without a win, mostly in supporting, but he wasn't a headliner like Finney). But, as we've often said, awards aren't everything and cinematic legacy is far more crucial. And that, Albert Finney has. He will live on given that impressive filmography filled with rich performances.
Finney wasn't born to a family in showbusiness but was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the 'angry young man' and kitchen sink era of British filmmaking -- he reportedly disliked "snobbery" enough to turn down the British Knighthood the year of Erin Brockovich (2000). Despite humble origins he was a quick success as an actor landing his first professional gigs on stage and TV by the age of 19. At the age of 24 he was an immediate movie star...
His star-making performance
He exploded to fame with his two very first features The Entertainer with Sir Laurence Olivier and Saturday Night Sunday Morning (1960) for which he won the BAFTA for "Most Promising Newcomer" and the NBR for Best Actor. A few years later he was Hollywood famous given the international success of the bawdy comedy / Best Picture winner Tom Jones (1963). He received his first well-deserved Oscar nomination and the Volpi Cup in Venice for his sly comic timing and dazzling charisma in the titular role.
"Two for the Road" with Audrey Hepburn
Erin Brockovich (2000) with Julia Roberts
The next two decades were filled with several more artistic or commercial hits though Finney preferred to stay out of the spotlight famously skipping awards ceremonies and not willing to campaign for prizes (which, come to think of it, might explain the lack of competitive or honorary Oscar love). His key successes in his most celebrated era include Two for the Road (1967), Scrooge (1970, Globe nomination), Gumshoe (1971, BAFTA nomination), Murder on the Orient Express (1974, Oscar nomination), Shoot the Moon (1982, BAFTA nomination), Annie (1982), The Dresser (1983, Oscar nomination) and Under the Volcano (1984, Oscar nomination).
After his headlining days, his star faded as stars must in order to rise again with a "comeback". Finney's reputation soared again with his late-career superb work as Julia Roberts's boss in Erin Brockovich (2000) which he chased with Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy wins for playing Winston Churchill in The Gathering Storm (2002) and a well received performance in Tim Burton's Big Fish (2003,Globe nomination). We could go on but it's better to just point you at him in the hopes that you'll investigate the rich resume for yourself, should you have missed the highlights.
Here's to one of the true greats!