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News of Donald Sutherlands deathlast week at the age of 88 has inspired a lot ofglowing tributes.
Where was the love for this great film actor all along?
He worked constantly, never taking more than a year or so off between projects.
Part of the joy of Sutherlands work was that he was usually engaging (and engaged!)
even when the movie itself wasnt; a consummate pro improving good and bad films alike.
Without a full IMDb-credit marathon, theres no way to be sure youve caughteverycontender.
Consider this a jumping-off point more than a last word.
But theres a wealth of psychological mystery in Sutherlands unshowy, uninflected turn.
Is Klute a better man than the abusive johns and pimps in Brees life or just more timidly possessive?
Watching him, we know what we stand to lose if the bodysnatchers win.
Ordinary People(1980)
Somehow, Sutherland was never nominated for an Academy Award.
Its not so hard to understand the snub.
Pity it was too soft and subtle for the Academy to hear.
Backdraft(1991)
What a feast Sutherland could make of a tiny role.
He could have made quite the sinful meal out ofthatpart, too.
His outpouring of emotion is catching.
That would be more depressing if theHunger Gamesmovies didnt put his talents to such good use.
He also gets a great final scene, bellowing with delighted laughter in the face of inevitable mob justice.
