It’s hard to believe that it’s been 12 years since Matt Damon’s first and only Oscar nomination for acting, for 1997′s Good Will Hunting. But even though he’s delivered several strong performances since then (The Talented Mr. Ripley, anyone?), the Academy doesn’t seem to have noticed. I’m curious to see whether his riotous performance in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant! (in theaters today) changes any of that. True, it’s a comedy, so that’s one strike against his chances. But he is playing a real guy, and of course there’s the weight gain in his favor. But most of all, it’s a uniquely funny performance that took real guts to pull off. Here’s more of our OscarWatch interview, after the jump. And the obligatory “follow me on Twitter” (@davekarger) request.
More OscarWatch interviews:
He is a weak actor who lucked-out when he fell into the “Bourne” franchise. As long as “Bourne” continues, his star will shine. Unfortunately.
bourne franchise was no fluke for him. As Daniel Craig proved, even action films are elevated by good acting. He was excellent in Bourne (and you can quote Ebert on that!), Talented Mr. Ripley, and The Departed. And personally I thought he was stunning in the Good Shepherd.
Stella, you’re 100% right. Just because a movie is an action movie, it doesn’t mean good acting need be thrown out the window. Matt Damon is great in the Bourne movies. All the other movies you listed he is excellent in too. I find that The Talented Mr. Ripley is kind of underrated. So is The Good Shepherd. He’s fantastic in both of those films (as is Angelina Jolie in the latter).
I agree with Dave here. Matt Damon is one of our most underrated actors, and has an uphill battle for respect due to being 1. good-looking 2. the star of a major action franchise 3. permanently associated with Ben Affleck. …But people always seem to forget how good he was in films like Talented Mr. Ripley, The Departed and The Good Shepherd.
I’m STILL annoyed that Mark Wahlberg was the only one nominated for The Departed. Matt Damon, among others, deserved it more.
Erin Fri 09/18/09 1:40 PM
“3. permanently associated with Ben Affleck” Ben Affleck jokes are so 2003. Yep, Ben made poor movie choices after Good Will Hunting. Since then he took a few years off. Then made some wonderful choices. Hollywoodland, great reviews, awards (Yup, Ben acting awards). Then adapted screenplay, directed Gone Baby Gone. Great reviews and awards galore. Even oscar buzz for direction (yup for Ben) small parts in some other fun movies for which Ben received great reviews. Getting great reviews for his part in Extract. Now, he has adapted screenplay, directing, and acting in The Town.
Matt Damon is a good actor. Some actors just get overlooked. Has nothing to do with his relationship with Ben Affleck.
I believe Matt Damon was indeed nominated for “The Talented Mr. Ripley” in the Best Actor category. Getting off this subject I have wondered why the Motion Picture Academy hasn’t given an honorary Oscar to Doris Day. She has been nominated and was top box office in the late fifties through the early seventies.