The dog from Anatomy Of A Fall reportedly caused some friction in the Academy
Some of the humans behind other nominated films apparently weren't too pleased that Messi the dog was stealing their thunder
Aux News Anatomy of a Fall
In the words of an oft-shared Taylor Swift meme, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.” While the lyrics are often used to call out instances of sexism in the entertainment industry (rightfully or not), they’re perhaps even more apt for the sad situation of Anatomy Of A Fall’s Messi, who has reportedly courted a fair bit of jealousy from other members of the Academy who just don’t want to see a good boy win.
Yes, Messi is a dog; a seven-year-old border collie, to be exact. But the fact of his species doesn’t mean that he didn’t also deliver one of the best performances of the year in his debut role. Messi’s stirring turn as Snoop, one of the sole witnesses to his owner’s death in the Justine Triet-directed film, quickly garnered worldwide acclaim. He was awarded the prestigious Palm Dog award when the film premiered at Cannes in 2023, and was praised as “as much a part of the film’s ensemble as any of the other actors” by his director.
He also garnered the favor of a good portion of Hollywood’s elite, when he hammed it up and played dead for Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Billie Eilish, and more at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon last month. But according to The Hollywood Reporter, some members of the Academy—more specifically, “multiple companies with nominated films” (multiple!)—were none too pleased with the stunt and complained that the completely innocent dog’s attendance at the event gave Anatomy Of A Fall an unfair boost during the voting window. To which we say: where is your humanity, people? Isn’t it enough that he wasn’t nominated in the first place?
Whether the decision was made out of retaliation or Messi’s owner, Laura Martin, just didn’t want to buy another ticket all the way from France, THR also broke the sad news that Messi will not be in attendance at this year’s Oscar ceremony on Sunday, despite his rising star. (It’s not just because he’s a dog; Parson Russell Terrier Uggie celebrated onstage with his co-stars when The Artist won Best Picture in 2012.)
Martin, at least, doesn’t seem too torn up about it. “What we’ve been experiencing here in America—with the attention to this dog and his acting—it’s beyond anything we anticipated,” she said. “It’s probably the maximum that you can accomplish in this field.” Still, we’ll need an official statement from Messi himself before we can really forgive and forget on this one.
23 Comments
Ain’t no rule that says a dog can’t win an Academy Award.
Fell like there’s an Air Bud or Gus story brewing here.
I mean, Kevin Spacey already has, so…
People working for companies and corporations being upset at a beloved dog, for being itself and charming people, is an apt symbol for the state and soul of modern capitalism.
Imagine being so fragile and pathetic that you’re jealous of a good boy!
I’m sure he’s lovely but blue-eyed dogs still freak me out.
He SEES you.
Well, at least you didn’t go on an anti-pitbull rant.
When Mexico sends its good boys, they’re not sending their best.
This is funny and interesting to me. I have a blue-eyed dog and during walks we are routinely stopped by folks drooling over her. Now I want to meet someone who is freaked.
Mate of mine’s mum’s got a fuckin’ half-kelpie, half-dingo thing (so…technically more dingoey kelpie) and…it has strangely human eyes. It’s disturbing. Genuinely unnerving. Our current theory is that it’s man who had a witch turn up at his door one cold winter’s eve and told her to piss off.
Sour grapes never seem to be out of season.
how good is this dog’s performance? lol, i can’ wait to see the film.
He’s a Border Collie the smartest dog out there it should be no shock that he gave a good performance. The Palme Dog is such a adorable idea but what about other animals. They should rename it Palme Animal.
That wouldn’t make sense though. It’s named after the Palme d’Or itself.
In the words of an oft-shared Taylor Swift meme, “I’m so sick of running as fast as I can / wondering if I’d get
there quicker if I was a man.” While the lyrics are often used to call
out instances of sexism in the entertainment industry, they’re perhaps even more apt for the sad situation of Messi
Lyrics about sexism more apt? For a dog?
Not everything has to do with Taylor Swift.
Wield a hammer, everything becomes a nail.
It’s a joke.
“In the words of an oft-shared Baha Men meme…”
Who? … (who who who)
One of the sole witnesses?
And the award for Goodest Boy goes to…
“multiple companies with nominated films”well, multiple people from those organizations can kindly go fuck themselves with a bat covered in ghost pepper.