At last night’s Academy Awards, among Hollywood’s top stars, one actor undeniably stole the spotlight: with a prime seat, every picture of him became viral, and host Jimmy Kimmel acclaimed his performance as “the best of the year”.
It wasn’t Ryan Gosling stealing the limelight— it was Messi, the canine sensation from the acclaimed French drama “Anatomy of a Fall,” who captured the hearts of movie enthusiasts worldwide this awards season.
Messi, a seven-year-old border collie, is owned and trained by Laura Martin Contin, who has been with him since he was a puppy. She describes him as a “very intelligent” and “well-behaved” dog who “picks up things quickly,” though his acting abilities weren’t always acknowledged on screen.
“Messi was an artist misunderstood. He faced numerous challenges in securing roles,” Martin Contin shared with GQ. “Despite consistently attending auditions, he was frequently overlooked, often due to his distinctive appearance and unique eyes.”
Messi initially found work in commercials but achieved his major breakthrough when he landed a role in the French courtroom drama “Anatomy of a Fall,” directed by Justine Triet. The film revolves around a woman, portrayed by Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, striving to establish her innocence in her husband’s demise. Messi was cast as Snoop, the guide dog of the protagonist’s visually impaired son.
“Snoop proved to be a coveted role for a canine actor, allowing Messi to showcase his acting skills in crucial scenes — notably one where the dog almost succumbs to an overdose from consuming aspirin. Training for that particular scene spanned two months.
“It was a gradual process,” the trainer explained to IndieWire. “We began with basic actions like lying down and keeping his head still. From there, we progressed to lifting the head and allowing it to fall back naturally without resistance.”
“He had to simulate complete stillness,” she explained to GQ. “I incorporated cries and emotions to ensure he remained motionless despite any surrounding noise.”
The dedication paid off: the scene captivated with its realism, leaving numerous critics and audience members in admiration of the dog’s performance.
“Anatomy of a Fall” received widespread critical acclaim, securing the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, while Messi clinched the Palm Dog Award, recognizing the festival’s top dog performance.
The film garnered five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Although Messi wasn’t eligible for any nominations himself, it didn’t diminish his popularity during awards season. Messi made a notable appearance at the annual Oscars Luncheon, where even stars like Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper eagerly sought to meet him.
Initially, fans were disheartened by the news that Messi wouldn’t be able to attend the Oscars. However, their disappointment turned to joy when it was later disclosed that the dog would indeed be part of the show.
Messi emerged as the viral sensation of last night’s Oscars broadcast. During his opening monologue, Kimmel lauded Messi’s performance and incorporated it into several of his jokes.
“Even though he’s a dog, Messi may have delivered the performance of the year in ‘Anatomy of a Fall’,” Kimmel quipped. “Messi has this overdose scene – if you’ve seen it, you know. It’s remarkable… Honestly, I haven’t witnessed a French actor devour his own vomit like that since Gérard Depardieu.”
Yet another viral moment captured Messi “clapping” in apparent celebration after Robert Downey Jr. won Best Supporting Actor. As the show concluded, Messi added to the spectacle by urinating on the Hollywood Walk of Fame star belonging to Matt Damon, continuing the ongoing comedic feud between Kimmel and Damon.
These segments were pre-recorded and integrated into the broadcast, leaving uncertainty about the extent of Messi’s actual involvement in the ceremony. Nevertheless, he undeniably emerged as the standout star of the evening.
With no upcoming roles scheduled after his acclaimed performance in “Anatomy of a Fall,” Messi has solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most cherished canine actors.
Could he grace the Oscars stage someday? Presently, the Academy lacks a category dedicated to animal actors, yet Messi’s trainer advocates for a reconsideration.
“Why not?” Laura Martin Contini expressed to USA Today. “Achieving what appears natural on screen requires considerable effort,” she added, suggesting that such recognition “would shed light on the profession itself.”
However, at heart, Messi finds more joy in chasing balls than in receiving accolades, leading a typical life akin to any other dog.
“We reside in the countryside, and Messi adores strolling and engaging in ball games,” Martin Contini shared with GQ. “To him, the ball holds a sacred status! Otherwise, at home, he’s a rather tranquil dog. The epitome of serene strength.”
Whether or not Messi ever gets an Oscar of his own, he gave truly one of the best performances of the year, and in one of the year’s best films. We’re glad he got his big moment in the Hollywood spotlight!
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