The modern movie Paul Mescal calls a “masterpiece”
Since the release of Normal People in 2020, Paul Mescal has been on a fast track to the top. Quickly becoming one of the most sought-after faces in Hollywood, in only a few short years, he’s racked up some major accolades. Spanning the worlds of film, TV and theatre, Mescal has declared movies his one true love, though, especially packing on the praise for one modern release.
After playing the breakout role of Connell Waldron, Mescal’s resumé is becoming backed with thoughtful or thought-provoking roles. His characterisation of Calum Paterson in Aftersun earned him an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor’ thanks to his moving depiction of a young father struggling with depression.
He risked diving too deep into the world of typecasting. He was in danger of becoming Hollywood’s favourite sad man, but he wouldn’t let that happen. In 2022, his role in God’s Creatures was a tense and often terrifying depiction of rape culture. Similarly, his stint as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire on the West End proved he could just as easily play the bad guy. Now, the actor is preparing to step it all up a notch and enter the world of big-budget movies in Gladiator.
Whether it’s action movies, independent cinema or gripping dramas, Mescal is clearly a major lover of films. In conversation with the Oscars, he shared some of his favourite titles, ranging from 2019’s Marriage Story to the 1951 Marlon Brando adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, providing limitless inspiration for Mescal’s own take on the tale.
But amidst them, there was an interesting modern cut. While the rest of his choices were more romantic or subtly emotive, his choice of the 2015 historical drama Son Of Saul stands out. “It’s my favorite film of the last 10 years,” he said of the choice. “László Nemes is a wonderful director,” he continued of the gripping World War II film.
For Mescal, the film is a prime example of the new levels film can reach that other forms can’t. “It’s just a masterpiece. It’s a super-talented actor meets director meets DP, which only can happen in film,” he said. “A different kind of alchemy happens on stage.”
Within minutes of his first watch, Son Of Saul has Mescal gobsmacked, adding, “After the first 10 minutes of that, I remember my jaw being on the ground and being like, ‘This is a masterpiece.’”
