Friday, April 11, 2014

In Character: Gary Cole

What’s so interesting about Gary Cole is that he can play it all, without changing his appearance. Save a few minor costume alterations (suspenders, after all, really do go a long way), the man almost always looks the same, yet his characters are wildly diverse. From the shady FBI agent to the low level Chicago thug, from a guy to one of comedy’s most entitled douchebags, there is no end to the satisfaction I get from Cole’s work.

Five Essential Roles
A Simple Plan (1998)
Neil Baxter
The power of Cole’s performance in A Simple Plan comes down to one brief but critical moment. Neil Baxter is an FBI agent whose investigation into a plane crash has led him to a small town in Minnesota. Once in town, Baxter accompanies the sheriff as he questions brothers Hank (Bill Paxton) and Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton) about the plane. Hank and Jacob lie, saying they think they heard a plane engine in the woods a while back (when, in actuality, they came across the crash by accident and stole more than $4 million they found on site). The sheriff kindly tells the brothers they can go, and right as they’re about to get away clean, Baxter asks if Hank and Jacob can take him to where they heard the engine sound. It’s an unbearable moment of tension, made better by Cole’s playful indifference.

But there’s more going on here. Though, fully highlighting the subtitles of Cole’s performance would ruin the movie. What’s important is this: A Simple Plan is a masterful little film that deserves to be seen by everyone. And Cole’s performance is an chief reason why.

One Hour Photo (2002)
Bill Owens
The thing I love about Bill Owens is that he’s just a guy. An ordinary guy who takes his job as the manager of a retail store seriously. He doesn’t have any ticks that the audience can laugh at, he doesn’t have any noticeable aggression or exaggerated energy – he’s just… a guy. There’s a familiarity to performances like these that isn’t nearly given enough credit. Because, really, playing a guy is a damn hard thing to do. But Cole sells us immediately. He blends in and never calls attention to himself, which, in a film centered on a creepy, bleach-blond psychopath, is exactly what is needed.

Interesting, then, that Cole is responsible for One Hour Photo’s most devastating moment, when he fires Sy Parrish (Robin Williams) from his job as a photo technician. Too many extra photo prints have gone unaccounted for, and Bill has to let Sy go. Thing is, this job is Sy’s life, literally. So firing him is, in effect, killing his will to live. It’s a delicate scene that Cole plays with perfect apathy… the way a guy would.

Entourage (2008-2010)
Andrew Klein
One of my favorite character arcs on Entourage was the rise and fall of Andrew Klein. In Season 6, Hollywood powerhouse Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven), hired his old pal, Andrew, to run the television division of Ari’s agency. It didn’t take long for Andrew to fail, as he quickly began having an affair with a much younger junior agent. Where Cole shined on the show was in his desperate attempt(s) to get his wife, Marlo, back. But it was too little too late. Andrew’s epic misdeeds led to a hilariously extended argument between him and Marlo on their front lawn, which resulted in Andrew driving his car into their living room, because, well, why the hell not?

Cole is no stranger to extended arcs on popular television shows (perhaps his stint as The West Wing’s Vice President being the most popular), but his work as Andrew will always be my favorite. Rags to riches to rags, in all its pathetic glory.

The Last Rites of Joe May (2011)
Lenny
We’ve all met guys like Lenny. At least in the movies. He’s the boss’s son – the young punk who’s moved in and taken over poppa’s criminal operation. When down and out, low level hood, Joe May (Dennis Farina, never better) goes to Lenny begging for some work, Lenny makes it a point to openly prey on Joe’s humiliation. But Cole doesn’t deliver Lenny’s smugness with hyperbolic glee; he’s far more understated than that. Instead, he lets Joe sit and suffer in his own self-pity, occasionally offering a word or two about how Joe is no longer cut out for this kind of work. Cole’s is a brief role (the film is really Farina’s show, and it’ll make you miss him dearly), but he does wonders with the little time Lenny is given.

And then something interesting happens. Just as the film is about to conclude, it curiously gives Lenny one final moment. A moment that I like to call a “huh” moment. Not “huh” like a question, more like, “Huh, that was actually perfect.” You know the one. It’s that little grunt of satisfaction; of knowing that the film simply couldn’t end any other way. Huh.

Veep (2013-2014)
Kent Davison
HBO’s Veep is one of the funniest television shows I’ve ever seen. Every episode of its first two seasons presented razor sharp, perfectly dry comedy. I’m likely to cover more actors from Veep in this column in the future, and I can all but guarantee that their respective contribution to the show will get a mention. Gary Cole is a great case in point. Kent Davison is a complete ball buster who loves barking orders at people, and is very skilled at never taking responsibility for his own mistakes. You could literally choose any of Cole’s scenes on Veep to showcase as great comedy. Doing Pilates with Reid Scott, screaming with/at Kevin Dunn, or, in one of my all-time favorite Veep moments, firing Timothy Simons’ Jonah in last week’s episode. There isn’t a false note in Cole’s comedic choices on the show.

The Best of the Best
Office Space (1999)
Bill Lumbergh
As obvious a choice as this may be, sometimes there’s no denying the power of That One Role. Gary Cole is going to continue to have a great career for many years to come, but, for better or worse, he’ll always be idolized and best remembered as the awkward, elitist, douchebag that is Bill Lumbergh.

One of the reasons Office Space continues to live on is that everyone involved completely owned their roles. Absurd though they may be, the players kept their mumbles and stutters and exaggerated “Yeaaaaahs” intact throughout. Very few of the performers in the film are actually going for the joke. Most, like Cole, are playing it straight and letting the audience do with it what they will. Initially, the joke appeared to be on the filmmakers, as Office Space bombed with audiences and critics when it was released. Now, try to find a person who can’t quote the flick endlessly.

Whenever I watch Cole’s hilarious performance in this film, I’m reminded that it really shouldn’t have worked. Yet it does, almost miraculously. It’s one of the most iconic comedic performances of the ‘90s; a performance so confident and ridiculous, that the mere sound of the first half second of (several) voicemails is enough to send us over the edge with laughter. Gary Cole’s work will be remembered long after we’re all gone, but Bill Lumbergh will live forever.

Other Notable Roles
With Rosie Perez in Pineapple Express
Midnight Caller (1988–1991)
In the Line of Fire (1993)
The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)
American Gothic (1995–1996)
From the Earth to the Moon (1998)
The Gift (2000)
Family Guy (2000-2014)
The West Wing (2003-2006)
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
The Ring Two (2005)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Breach (2007)
Pineapple Express (2008)
Desperate Housewives (2008)
The Joneses (2009)
The Good Wife (2010-2013)
True Blood (2011)
The Chicago 8 (2011)
Suits (2011-2013)

28 comments:

  1. Ironically, I just watched the episode of The West Wing where he became the VP last night... What a coinkydink!

    Of course, Office Space has to be on top, but I really liked him in Talladega Nights, as well. He was the funniest part of the movie, and everyone remembers "If you ain't first, you last."

    I really want to watch Veep, but I don't have time right now. One day!

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    1. Ha, funny how that works! Talladega Nights wasn't really for me, but Cole was easily my favorite part of the film. I love when he tried to scalp the tickets his son just gave him. Hilarious.

      Veep is ace comedy. Sheer perfection.

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  2. One of those faces you recognize but know little about.

    /Avy

    http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

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    1. Yep, for sure. Thanks so much for the comment, Avy. I've been checking out your site for the past hour, and I love your style of writing. Let me know when you publish your autobiography - I want to have an opportunity to option the book rights and adapt it into a film.

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  3. The Lumbergh character is one of those guys you love to hate....

    Hey... could you give me... yeah.... those TPS reports... great... mmm yeah... good coffee.

    I like Gary Cole. He's a great character actor and I love, love love that performance. I also love him as Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights. I wouldn't mind getting kicked out of Applebee's with that guy. After all, it's probably be worth it and not pay the check.

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    1. Haha, I do love him as Reese. Definitely my favorite part of that film. But Lumbergh, man, that guy just lives on. Whatta douche.

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  4. Good cal on Gary Cole. I'm loving him on Veep right now. I agree, it's one of the funniest shows I've ever seen.

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    1. So glad to hear you're a fan of him and that show. God, I just love it. Cracks me right the hell up.

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  5. It will never win any awards, but as someone who endlessly watched reruns of The Brady Bunch as a child I have to say that Cole absolutely nailed all the mannerisms and vocal cadences of Robert Reed, who played the original Mr. Brady. It made the movie a bunch of fun. And just as an addendum: Christine Taylor was born to play Marcia Brady. Ben Stiller got to live out the dream of all boys our age: he ended up with Marcia Brady.

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    1. Haha so, so true about Taylor as Marcia. That was superb casting. Unfortunately, I don't remember too much of the film beyond Taylor's work in it. I saw both of those movies once (never caught the third one), but I love hearing that you think Cole nailed it.

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  6. I don't really know his work that well but goddamn he is so funny of Veep. That scene where he was freaking out about rotating pig behind Selena was amazing. His scenes with Ben and Mike are some of my favorites, but my favorite supporting character is that senator who constantly abuses his assistant, I hope they will be back this season.

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    1. Oooh shit, I totally forgot about that senator. That dude is hilarious. Jonah takes the cake for me - everything that guy says and does is hysterical. I loved when Cole fired his ass last week.

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  7. I like Cole okay. He just never stands out as anything particularly special about a movie in which he appears, to me...except in THAT ONE MOVIE where he just had to have those TPS reports. Long Live Office Space!

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    1. Long live, indeed! And you know, I get what you're saying about Cole, which is something I tried to touch on regarding his work in One Hour Photo. He's always there, but never goes out of his way to get noticed, which I appreciate.

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  8. Alex, I'm glad you mentioned Veep. Cole was a nice addition in the second season, and I'm looking forward to seeing him again when I catch up with Season 3. I still remember his work in American Gothic, which is messy but has plenty of creepy moments. Cole was one of the highlights and plays evil so well. His career is really diverse! He's mostly known for Office Space, but there's plenty more out there.

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    1. I actually haven't seen American Gothic, but I love hearing that he's evil in it. Might have to check it out now. So happy that you're a fan of Veep - that show just kills me.

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  9. Bill Lumbergh! Brilliant choice for #1. So glad you included A Simple Plan on here too. He's pretty great in it. I'll always remember him as the dad in I'll Be Home for Christmas, though. :)

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    1. Love that you're a fan of A Simple Plan - that is such an ingenious little film. I'll Be Home for Christmas... man, I don't even think I've seen that one! How. Dare. I.

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  10. Bill Lumbergh is perhaps the greatest lovable douchebag in the history of cinema (or at least the one who comes to my mind the most when I think of that topic). He will live forever and is the type of person who people who haven't even seen Office Space know about. Gary Cole - good on you sir, you have created a monster who will never die!

    Also love the inclusion of Lenny from The Last Rites of Joe May (nice rec. by you good sir and thanks for it!). Very interesting role and Cole brings a bit more to that character than I think another actor would have.

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    1. No you're so right, Lumbergh is the lovable douchebag to end all lovable douchebags. Had Cole held anything back, the role wouldn't have worked. But man, he just nailed it.

      So glad I was able to motivate you to check out Joe May. I really loved that film, and I agree, most any other actor wouldn't have brought that level of sophistication and intimidation to the role that Cole did.

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  11. I'm ashamed I'm only really familiar with Cole's work in Office Space, but damn if that isn't a perfect performance right there. I'm looking forward to starting Veep sometime soon -- it sounds like he is a great fit for that show as well.

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    1. Veep is one of those shows that is such a breeze. The episodes fly by and are consistently hilarious. I hope you dig it when you get around to it. It's so damn funny.

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  12. I admit, my favorite Cole role is Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights. Primarily because he plays such absurdity so straight (which, I suppose, is also what he's doing in Office Space). His line reading of "That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" is PERFECT.

    But thank you for bringing more attention to A Simple Plan. I saw that twice in the theater. Fantastic film that just sort of slipped by.

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    1. Such a shame that A Simple Plan slipped by. Despite its two Oscar noms, it never gets discussed enough. Damn shame.

      Talladega Nights isn't my kind of flick, but I do love Cole in it. I was really close to including Reese Bobby in my Top 5. Hilarious shit.

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  13. The man is hilarious

    what about one about james franco?

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    1. That's an interesting choice, though I don't think James Franco is a character actor. Alien was a very character performance, but it's probably the only one I could think of for him. Still, what a performance it was.

      Interesting thought though. I appreciate you stopping by and offering it!

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  14. I concede, my most loved Cole part is Reese Bobby in Talladega Nights. Basically on the grounds that he plays such silliness so straight (which, I assume, is additionally what he's doing in Office Space). His line perusing of "That is the million dollar inquiry, isn't it?" is PERFECT

    In any case, thank you for conveying more thoughtfulness regarding A Simple Plan. I saw that twice in the theater. Awesome film that simply kind of snuck past

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    1. He is damn hilarious in Talladega Nights, no doubt. I need to rewatch that one again, just for his work in it. So happy to find another fan of A Simple Plan. I actually met Cole earlier this year, and that was the performance I thanked him for. He paused for a second and went, "Man, I haven't thought about that one in years!"

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