After the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ Oscar slipped away from him for Pulp Fiction in 1995, Samuel L. Jackson believes today that this prize should have been awarded to him. Not necessarily because considering that Martin Laudau was less deserving than him, but because according to him, black actors are more easily decorated for having played “despicable” characters.
Although he is mainly remembered for his role as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, Samuel L. Jackson had not won the corresponding Oscar. He will never have won the famous statuette in his entire career. On the occasion of the 94th Academy Awards to be held on March 27, he will be given an honorary Oscar which we suspect will taste like chocolate for the principal concerned.
To The Times, Samuel L. Jackson said he gave his all in Pulp Fiction to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. We can also point out that this is his only nomination for the event, all editions combined.
Samuel L. Jackson says an Oscar doesn’t make you richer
The actor made some pretty strong comments regarding why he thinks his fellow blacks would stand out at the Oscars.
“I guess black people usually win for doing despicable things on screen. Like Denzel [Washington] for being a horrible cop on ‘Training Day’. All the good things he’s done in uplifting roles like ‘Malcolm X’? No, we’re gonna give that kid that prize… So maybe I should have won one. But the Oscars don’t move the decimal point of your check – it’s regarding drawing crowds and I’ve done a good job of that…”
We can also extend the prism and tell ourselves that it becomes more obvious to be rewarded when we have embodied a character who has required a significant physical transformation (for example Charlize Theron in Monster). Samuel L. Jackson goes on to call for the creation of a certain category.
“All films are valid. Some go to the cinema to be moved. Others love superheroes. If someone gets more butt on the seats, it just means your audience isn’t as large. There are people who have had successful careers but no one can recite a line from their role. I’m the guy who says shit that’s printed on a T-shirt… There should be an Oscar for the most popular movie, because that’s the business”.
And in this desired world, Welcome to the Ch’tis and What have we done to God? would certainly have occupied a greater place at the Caesars.
Source : The Sunday Times (full article for subscribers only) (via ETCanada.com)
