Now that The Brutalist is at last garnering awards buzz for Guy Pearce, it’s important to look back at all his previous performances that deserved due acclaim. Here’s a chronological wish list of hardware that should have been.
The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Terence Stamp deserved Supporting Actor in this beloved 1994 Australian rainbow road trip. However, you don’t realize Guy Pearce’s range as a catty, camp, ABBA obsessed drag queen until you see his subsequent 180 degree turn in L.A. Confidential.
Verdict: Honorable Mention
L.A. Confidential
Technicalities within this superb 1997 ensemble meant only Kim Basinger walked away with an acting trophy, but the entire film ultimately hinges on Guy Pearce’s love-to-hate Ed Exley and his acting master class.
Verdict: Best Supporting Actor Nomination
Memento
Guy Pearce is in every scene of this 2001 sophomore piece directed by Christopher Nolan. We’re along for the backwards ride within Leonard Shelby’s short term memory resets as he waxes on being unable to heal or feel time while he searches for his wife’s killer.
Verdict: Guy Pearce should have won Best Actor for Memento. Put it on my tombstone.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Guy Pearce as the despicable best friend Mondego in this 2002 adaptation is the reason why many audiences today hate Guy Pearce or always presume he’s the villain. Even I was cheering for him to be stabbed in the final sword fight.
Verdict: Golden Globe Supporting Actor Nomination
The Proposition
The excellent bleakness and unforgettable surreal of this 2005 Australian western festers in Guy Pearce’s performance, which did receive an AACTA Best Actor nomination split with Ray Winstone.
Verdict: Best Supporting Actor Win
The Rover
This 2014 Australian post-apocalyptic morality play co-starring the likewise award worthy Robert Pattison is carried by Guy Pearce’s man of few words who kills because he wants his car back.
Verdict: Best Actor win
Lorne
This 2015 short film featuring a solo Guy Pearce as a crazed man in the wilderness is a one man showreel of all the chilling things Guy Pearce can do.
Verdict: Best Short Film Oscar
Brimstone
Guy Pearce provides a harrowing, evil performance in this 2016 supernatural western when most actors would not have taken this role terrorizing Dakota Fanning.
Verdict: Best Supporting Actor Win
The Last Vermeer
As art forger and Nazi swindler Han Van Meegren, Guy Pearce steals this 2019 adaptation with wit, charisma, and a surprising diminutive physicality.
Verdict: BAFTA Supporting Actor Nomination
The Convert
This underseen Lee Tamahori epic provides the backdrop for Guy Pearce’s tender, subtle performance and Maori understanding.
Verdict: AACTA Best Actor
While The Brutalist‘s applause continues, Guy Pearce’s prison drama Inside is also touring the Australian festival circuit. It too is already being hailed as one of his finest performances, and I hope there is more official praise and hardware to come at last.
For more, read my Top 10 Guy Pearce at InSession Film or listen to the Women InSession Podcast episodes on Priscilla, Memento, and the Underrated Guy Pearce.
