The Ultimate Walt Disney Company Performances Bracket -- Round Two, Day Six
Lydia Tár…now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time. A long time. Am I a few days late to the nonsensical social-media discourse regarding whether or not the excellent film Tár is or isn’t a dream? I am. Had I been hearing that line a la Guinness for the last few days too? Oh, you bet.
Anyway, speaking of excellent actors like Alec Guinness, some of them (including him!) are up for a vote today in the matchups. Let’s go!
(4) Holly Hunter, The Incredibles vs. (29) Clarence Nash, The Three Caballeros: It’s got to be Holly Hunter here, though I don’t want to pretend like I don’t love Clarence Nash as the true and original Donald Duck. He was brilliant. But so is Holly Hunter in a more richly textured role that gets stronger over the years.
How do you vote?
(13) Alec Guinness, Star Wars vs. (20) Angela Lansbury, Bedknobs and Broomsticks: I realize that Alec Guinness is going to win this one. I’m not dumb. And I would not suggest that Angela Lansbury’s performance as Eglantine Price is the best work she did for the Walt Disney Company. But I do like Bedknobs and Broomsticks enough, and I think that the arc Lansbury has to work with is more satisfying than that of Alec Guinness (and I have little doubt that Guinness would not disagree too heartily considering his remarks regarding the Star Wars franchise). I vote for Lansbury. Will she pull off an upset? Your call.
(5) Anika Noni Rose, The Princess and the Frog vs. (28) Tilda Swinton, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Princess and the Frog, as you may know, is one of my favorite Disney animated films of all time. Anika Noni Rose’s incredible performance in “Almost There” — that last extended high note she hits! — is enough for me to vote for her here. Yes, Tilda Swinton is Tilda Swinton, and her role as the White Witch in the first Narnia is its best part. But Anika Noni Rose’s performance as Tiana holds a special place in my heart. She’s almost there.
(12) Brendan Fraser, George of the Jungle vs. (21) David Tomlinson, Mary Poppins: A tough one, in that I think both performances are very good in their own (very different) right. But I will be voting here for Brendan Fraser, in a role that was tailor-made for him far more than the potential Oscar-winning role he just appeared in. David Tomlinson will hopefully put up a good fight, but it’s down with Mr. Banks for me.
Voting to save mr banks here 😂
Thoughts on today’s Question 2:
Bednobs and Broomsticks is a wonderful movie with the most bonkers premise ever. And it works because Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson are amazing (Tomlinson gets to play against type a bit here; he gives good rogue).
I’ll say a bit more on Guinness in Star Wars. Yes, I know the part is thinly drawn. Yes, I know he was paychecking harder than anyone has ever paychecked on the film and grew to resent the fact he was forever associated with the role. But my goodness, even with nonsensical George Lucas dialogue he is absolutely magnetic. Mark Hamill might as well not be in their early scenes; it’s all Sir Alec.
Star Wars is a great movie, but not due to performances; Sir Alec manages to still shine despite that. I voted for Obi-Wan.