Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2020: Daveed Diggs & Jonathan Groff in Hamilton

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Daveed Diggs was nominated for a SAG award for portraying Marquis de Lafayette & Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton. 

 

Hamilton is a fantastic musical about the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton. 

Now here I go about another set of reviews of performances that I know will not be Oscar nominated, although for different reasons than my previous one. Well it was placed in the TV categories for whatever reason at SAG, though it had an intended theatrical release originally, but that really isn't the main point of conflict. The main conflict is the film is essentially a filmed version of the play, though with specific added cinematic touches, and not just a recording for posterity's sake. Now I have heard the argument since it was presented to an audience on stage, though not the entirety of it, that it should preclude itself from being considered a film. Well I would counter, why can't a filmmaker say "my cinematic version of Hamilton is the stage version, with audience reactions"? If it were static, and only shot for posterity, without any additional touches, I would agree, but as is, the exclusion isn't something I can agree with. Furthermore precedent has been set by the Academy, when they nominated James Whitmore's filmed stage performance for Give 'em Hell Harry!, which frankly had fewer cinematic touches than were added to this rendition of Hamilton. It is finally worth mentioning that I don't think it gives any advantage, rather it is a disadvantage in a way, as stage performances are attuned differently. I only think it is fair though then it look at these performances as I would any film performance, which I guess it makes sense then I'm covering my favorite performances of the musical in the form, which are likely the performances that would be the most similar if they ever do make an entirely cinematic version. 

 

This starting with the very talented Daveed Diggs in the dual roles of French liaison to the colonial army Marquis de Lafayette and founding father, writer of the Declaration of Independence, the third president, Thomas Jefferson. Now no historical character in Hamilton is played entirely straight, George Washington comes pretty close, which makes sense it's a musical so there naturally is going to be some riff. Most of these are slight riffs, particularly with the roles of the Schuyler sisters, Aaron Burr and of course the titular Hamilton. They are largely taken seriously as the historical person even within the modernized lens granted to it by Lin-Manuel Miranda. That is less so for Diggs's performances, in both of his roles. The first being, I'll say from the outset his lesser role, though don't take that as a criticism, as Lafayette. This as early on he is nearly the chorus as just part of the group of revolutionary buddies of Hamilton (Miranda). His most noticeable feature being his fairly over the top, not out of the realm of Clouseauesque (though not quite far), French accent that is obviously not meant to grant any strict reality to the Marquis. Diggs's delivery in that way does make him stand out in little beats in the group scenes, such as his dismissive "you are the worst Burr" when regarding Hamilton's frenemy Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.) as a bit of a random aside. Lafayette's one highlight moment certainly is not wasted though during the song "Guns and Ships" were Lafayette goes about rapping his endeavors. Diggs's fantastic rapping skills are not to be dismissed and the swift ease of the run down is simply wonderful. 

Watching the film the first time though I will say just watching the first half, I was surprised that Diggs was chosen as the supporting actor to win the Tony for the musical, not that he's not good as Lafeyette, but it felt like just a warmup for him....which is the case. This as he comes in to quite the fanfare as Thomas Jefferson in the second half. The most prominent historical figure who is the least like the actual man in any way, the fact that he was played by the ever cold Stephen Dillane in the miniseries John Adams should give a sense of how far from that Diggs is from that. All intended of course, and so brilliantly so. We instantly get a sense of the character, which Diggs plays as a bon vivant celebrity in his outstanding introductory number "What'd I miss". This of course is visually established by his costume, the most over the top out of the main cast, as he wears a purple frilly suit that is sight all on its own. Diggs though does as much visually himself as his whole manner is just pitch perfect in crafting this take on Jefferson, particularly in contrast to the driven Hamilton. Given that Hamilton already has one foil in Burr, we get a new path with Diggs as a man as successful, but who just makes it all look easy. Diggs comes in as THE life of the party. This as the grin on his face is a man who loves how everyone love him, but also just loves his life. Diggs rarely stands up straight, or walks normally. There's almost always a little perk in his step. This just as he brings so much energy that in turn though is perfect though as setting up a guy who just seems to walk on the air of life. The man whose achievements come naturally, and doesn't need to be "Non-stop" he just is. 

Naturally then Hamilton and Jefferson then come to blow in two rap battles, which the script say Hamilton wins, and perhaps he does logically, but one has to admit in terms of actual rap precision...there's no question. Diggs runs away with it in both battles. This just his running down with his rap with it as though it is just as though he would indeed speak. I love that Diggs doesn't copy how he rapped as Lafayette either. He does it with as much ease, but seemingly less effort. By that I mean Jefferson just runs out each word without a care in the world, and a complete belief, because how could a man so overflowing with confidence ever be wrong. I think what needs extra mention is Diggs's performance during Miranda's raps, which I have to say kind of steal the moments from the star each time. This as Diggs is absolutely hilarious in every split second of hearing out Hamilton's arguments. This with moments of a kind of respect, but also a bit more annoyance, and little reactions towards the crowd of either indicating that what Hamilton saying isn't true, or trying to react as he doesn't care, even if does. Diggs I suppose makes Jefferson cheat a bit by taking the spotlight even when he's not owning his portion of the rap arguments. Diggs just literally doesn't stop and it again is fantastic, because again isn't in the non-stop Hamilton way, it's in the Jefferson way, where his drive is with a joyful grin and a loose gait. And the greatest trick of it, is Diggs's charisma makes it so you don't hate him for a moment for his shameless grin, there's just something about him that makes you love every minute of it. 

Now what that is exactly is part of Diggs's whole demeanor in the role. His energy is indeed endearing but just so is the way Diggs plays up every scene for all its worth, even for how much Jefferson might even feature in a scene. In fact I have to say, Diggs kind of just literally makes something out of every second he's onscreen, as he just keeps that unabashed style of the man. Take after the first cabinet argument where Jefferson laughs at Hamilton for not having the votes. This is a completely childish move, but can't help but love Jefferson because Diggs is just so playful about it. Diggs just moving around the stage is something to behold as he makes this basically cocky slide than even can be described as a walk. Diggs though importantly does strike a balance even in his largely comic performance. This as in the second cabinet rap battle he brings a more directed passion even within that ease still that is impressive. Diggs though conveys that the subject, of the French revolution, is meaningful to him and even his dismissive attitude towards Hamilton has a more genuine anger. Diggs even as he's just being incredibly entertaining does craft the arc of Jefferson from a friendlier rival to Hamilton to a more antagonistic one. This eventually leading to the exceptional scene where Jefferson and his little cabal force Hamilton to admit to a crime, though an affair rather than embezzlement as they believed. Diggs is great in his hectoring manner as he makes his little accusations, but the cherry on top of the scene, is Diggs is hilarious "Whaaaat" when finding out the truth. This perhaps only equaled by his slightly annoyed, still comic and confused "My God" towards Hamilton's confession that wasn't quite what he hoped.  This still leading to a partial downfall by Hamilton as he writes and releases his own confession anyways. Leading again to another amazing scene for Diggs. This in the sheer bliss and really gluttony in taking in all the schadenfreude. My personal favorite line delivery in the show being perhaps Diggs "Never gonna president now" as strict jubilation while dancing and making Hamilton's pamphlet "rain". Of course everything Diggs does is a little gem of its own. His reaction to Burr, after Burr runs against him, as a "you kidding me dude", comic gold, even his final line as Jefferson remarking about Hamilton's legacy while still recognizing his attempt to dismantle it, is pure gold. That's the entirety of Diggs's performance. It's comic masterwork of the piece that finds just the right tone and truly runs with it. His Jefferson is broad in the best possible way and works from any perspective. A comically genius performance, that is a proper different kind of foe for Hamilton to be sure, while also just being a joy to behold all on its own.

Jonathan Groff was not nominated for any visual recorded media acting awards for portraying King George III in Hamilton. 

Now Jonathan Groff's performance I think owes a debt, fundamental to Lin Manuel Miranda's inspiration for the inclusion of the King, to Tom Hollander's performance as King George in the miniseries John Adams. A one scene wonder to be sure, but here we get Groff as a 3 scene and a eighth wonder as the musical's version of George that skews closely to Hollander's. This as the intention is not a humane portrait of the man a la Nigel Hawthorne in the underrated Madness of King George, like Diggs's performance there is a more than a degree of flamboyance in this representation of a historical figure. George here being a series of interludes as the King's reaction to various going-ons in America, each of these being highlights within the musical. Now of course Groff has a beautiful voice, and delivers "You'll Be Back" and its pseudo reprises wonderfully. What I want to highlight though is the greatness of his work beyond that. This right from the way he enters the scene with his aggressively proper and regal manner of walking. This in specifically aligning every foot step. Each movement though, even just the way he carries his royal baton there is a grace and manner wholly befitting a monarch. That is all fantastic, but there is more. Now it must be said that Groff's comic timing is impeccable of course. From his over the top pouted lip one remarking on the sadness of the colonies, his petulant stomps at accepting his eventual defeat, and of course his glee at hearing John Adams as Washington's successor, Groff is comic gold. Of course as fun as this performance is what I love most about it is how it strongly it does call back to Hollander's performance. This as much as Groff is a comic presence, he's not just a goof. This as he brings those piercing eyes of a mad man that were so prevalent in Hollander's portrayal that gives a sense of the genuine menace within the King's power. I especially love the way that Groff's voice becomes aggressively more threatening in his declarations about how the colonies will be returning his love. Although Groff admits to his spitting while singing, and even perhaps accidental, the burst of spittle at the most threatening part of the song is striking in creating George as a bit of a drooling mad man. This as that only back ups Groff work that has a bit of a vicious psychopath just behind the regal surface. This of a man who is more than willing to use violence to retain the love he believes he deserves. Is he mostly to be taken a joke, yes, but it's fantastic how Groff finds a real sense of something more sinister in George. Although naturally his later appearances, which are essentially encores, and really just comic returns, yet each is most welcome as Groff is a hoot each time....And one must mention the one/eighth moment where George does some free-styling around Hamilton at one of the latter's lowest moments. Now these are completely silly movements from Groff, and utterly hilarious. Small bit, but worth mentioning. Otherwise this just is a delight of a performance, as sheer comic relief, but also with just the right ounce of villainy. 

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