The Film Experience

by Juan Carlos Ojano

Months after Emmy nominations were announced and this list still puzzles me. That is not a comment on the quality of the performances, but more on the road leading up to these nominations. Three nominations for Watchmen and none for the wildly predicted Tim Blake Nelson? Two Hollywood actors got in but not Broadway legend Joe Mantello? Previous Emmy winners and nominees John Slattery, John Turturro, and Ray Romano also missed mentions. With Unorthodox’s relative overperformance, I would not have been shocked if Amit Rahav made it in. Instead, we have a group of nominees with no clear frontrunner...

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Calvin Abar / Doctor Manhattan in Watchmen (HBO)
Submission: “A God Walks Into Abar”

Abdul-Mateen submits really well with this episode, serving as a showcase not only for him but for the character. It is interesting to note Abdul-Mateen spends the majority of his first scene being almost completely obscured, either by the mask he is wearing or the shot choices. This already positions him as the mythical creature that he is and that he will become. Abdul-Mateen is given the challenge of speaking with a tone that finds the dynamic within the monotonous as he explains himself to the skeptical Angela (Regina King). When we finally see him in its entirety, he still maintains that stoic candor that will soon find its more nuanced iterations as their relationship goes along. It is a really technically tricky performance, finding the sweet spot between the seeming god-like indifference and the more human aspects of his character. His character might not be traditionally showy (I don’t know how that will affect Emmy voters), but the episode puts him at the center and gives him a distinctive arc.

Jovan Adepo as Young Will Reeves in Watchmen (HBO)
Submission: “This Extraordinary Being”

A surprise nominee in this category, Adepo plays the younger version of Will Reeves in “flashbacks” as Angela (King) takes the memory pills called Nostalgia. Looking at this submission, it is quite impressive how he not only survives the visual audacity of this episode, but grounds his character in palpable frustration and disillusionment. This is such a visceral and thematically loaded episode, potently depicting how the police force has institutionalized racial injustice in America. He also has to deal with domestic drama and exploration of his own sexuality. Adepo traces the transformation of his character with authenticity, from victimized law enforcer to the vigilante that Hooded Justice will become. His path towards self-assertion and conviction in delivering justice feels deeply rooted because of how he clearly plots the growth of his character. I might even say that he is my favorite supporting actor from Watchmen.

Tituss Burgess as Titus Andromedon in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (Netflix)
Submission: Full Movie

Nominated for four Emmys for this iconic role, Burgess returns as Titus Andromedon in this interactive special. In this, Titus accompanies his friend Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) goes on a journey to find the other women in West Virginia abducted by the Reverend (Jon Hamm). There is probably nothing new to this new outing compared to the previous four seasons of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but that is not a demerit to Burgess’ work at all. In fact, it is comforting, even joyous, to watch Burgess return to this role that maximizes his skills as an actor. His over-the-top energy expertly modulated to compliment intentionally mismatched tones with his fellow cast members is still delicious to behold and continues to generate comedy gold. Probably the stand out moments are when he experiences hallucinations due to eating wild mushrooms. I have “played” this film multiple times so multiple outcomes of this character and Burgess plays each outcome extremely well.

Louis Gossett, Jr. as Will Reeves in Watchmen (HBO)
Submission: “See How They Fly”

This Oscar winner enters 50 minutes into the series finale in a six-minute conversation with Angela (King). In this poignant scene, Gossett Reeves synthesizes the deeply painful history that has led to all the preceding events in the series, telling the story of Hooded Justice and how he has helped Manhattan (Abdul-Mateen). With his calm demeanor and subtle voice breaks, Gossett powerfully demonstrates the power that past traumas have on him. It is really subtle work that relies on vocal control, precise line deliveries, and body movements that suggest the history of this character. His performance in this scene powerfully complements King’s gradual understanding of their fate. This is a cathartic moment that puts the fantastical elements of the series into a satisfying dramatic context. Taken as an individual submission, Gossett demonstrates how a skillful actor could do so much with restraint.

Dylan McDermott as Ernest West in Hollywood (Netflix)
Submission: “Meg”

Another surprise nominee, McDermott plays a former actor who works as a gas station owner where he pimps out his employees to clients. In this episode, he is given the chance to play a role in an upcoming film while still maintaining his sex trade. Revisiting this episode made me see how much McDermott has to do with this role, especially in terms of his power and agency. In one scene, he is the male dominatrix for one of his sex clients. In the other, he is deeply moved by an offer to play a part in a film, realizing his decades-long dream of becoming an actor. There is even a scene in an acting class where McDermott has to demonstrate his character’s different ways of controlling a room. McDermott lets us get some hints on the character’s inner life, hardened by Hollywood’s decadent lifestyle but still holding his dreams close to him. It is a solid performance in a solid submission.

Jim Parsons as Henry Wilson in Hollywood (Netflix)
Submission: “Outlaws”

A multiple Emmy winner, Parsons returns to the awards race as the sleazy talent agent notorious for using up-and-coming actors under his wing for sex. In this episode, he wields his power even more, especially to a demure Rock Hudson (Jake Picking), setting stringent rules and making him do things that make Hudson feel uncomfortable. I know this is a divisive performance, but I think Parsons plays the role exactly as it should be: unashamed and no holds barred. Parsons uses the flamboyance of his character to subjugate Hudson and it is terrifying to watch, whether he is dancing around his house in women’s undergarments or implicitly commanding Hudson to participate in a threesome. He also toes the line between exaggerated physical comedy and intimidating power play with flawless transition from one to the other. He never shies away from the abhorrent nature of this character. Instead, he relishes in it and then some.

Personal Ranking:

Tituss Burgess - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
Jim Parsons - Hollywood
Jovan Adepo - Watchmen
Dylan McDermott - Hollywood
Louis Gossett, Jr. - Watchmen
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II - Watchmen

Predicted Winner: Tituss Burgess - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend

Predicted Spoiler: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II - Watchmen

Again, isn't this hard to decipher? Watchmen is expected to do extremely well, but vote splitting could easily happen. Abdul-Mateen is probably the logical prediction, being present in most of the episodes with an exciting career ahead of him. However, it is not a showy character and he is only foregrounded near the end. Meanwhile, Gossett is a well-respected legend who holds attention throughout the entirety of the series. The other big player, Hollywood, underperformed on nomination day, but Parsons is an Emmy favorite with a big role, playing a real-life showy character. That leaves us with Burgess playing a beloved character, never winning an Emmy despite earning four nominations for this role. That he was nominated at all despite tough competition and the Emmys’ recent divergence from nominating performances from within TV movies is significant and why I'm predicting him.

We would love to hear your take on this anything-goes race in the comments.