Mike White – This Had Oscar Buzz

Underdiscussed in the Mike White oeuvre is 2017’s Brad’s Status, the story of a father reflecting on his own formative college years while taking his son on a college visit. With Ben Stiller center stage, the film examines privilege and maleness with White’s exacting but humane eye for detail, resulting one of the most emotionally affecting works of his career without sacrificing his penchant for characters who aren’t always likable. Arriving the same year as both the White-scripted Beatriz at Dinner and the Stiller-starring The Meyerowitz Stories, this dramedy was yet another victim of Amazon’s mishandled marketing.

This week, we talk about Stiller’s recent years without of major acting roles and what makes this performance one of his best. We also talk about Austin Abrams’ performance as Brad’s son Troy, White’s other portraits of class, Stiller’s upcoming return in TIFF opener Nutcrackers.

Topics also include daydreams, Annapurna Pictures, and 2017 Original Screenplay.

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On the eve of the return of The White Lotus, we’re taking a look at the Mike White oeuvre with returning guest Jorge Molina and 2017′s Beatriz at Dinner. Starring our beloved Salma Hayek as a holistic masseuse trapped at a toxic dinner party held by her wealthy clients, the film debuted at Sundance and was immediately viewed through the lens of our outrage and despair in the immediate aftermath of Trump’s election. The dark cringe comedy had a divisive finale but a brilliant ensemble including Connie Britton, John Lithgow, and Chloe Sevigny, with Hayek giving one of her finest performances. But the 2017 Best Actress race was highly competitive, and this summer release struggled to make an awards season comeback.

This episode, we talk about the Arteta/White partnership including White’s television output and Arteta as the quintessential journeyman director. Topics also include scrubbed John Early clips, our dreams for Hayek’s deserved awards future, and comparing Beatriz at Dinner to another 2017 film that succeeded with Oscar.

Topics also include the 2002 Best Actress nominees pitching grants, Mike White’s run on Survivor and The Amazing Race, and performing Salma in Snatch Game.

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Tag: Mike White

307 – Brad’s Status

215 – Beatriz at Dinner (with Jorge Molina)