Oh, happy day! The 2020 Emmy nominations are out, and Normal People‘s breakout star Paul Mezcal earned a nomination for best actor in a limited series or a tv movie of the category. In my opinion, the 24-year-old actor Irish is totally deserving of the recognition, and do not, it is not only because I keep dreaming about’connell Waldron the silver chain and still cry when I listen to Imogen Heap’s “hide.” The BBC and Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney bestselling novel gave Mix his first role on the screen, but the actor performs so well that you would never know it. It is what is called the power of the stars, y’all.
Don’t get me wrong — Mezcal fellow nominees also gave unforgettable performances. In I Know That This Is TrueMark Ruffalo didn’t play a single character, but two. In HollywoodJeremy Pope stole the show with her adorable smile and fiery chemistry with Jake Picking. But Jeremy Irons, who already has three Emmys — do you really need another? And I know that you also have a swoon-worthy accent, Hugh Jackman, but I’m sorry to say that you simply can not compete with my man Mezcal. Again, I know that hot Irish accents, fierce blue eyes, and rugby-player thighs does not make the person worthy of a prize. I would be lying if I said that doesn’t help, however.
To say’connell Waldron is a complex character would be an understatement. You have difficulties to communicate but desperately longs to make connections. He’s whip-smart, however, constantly doubts his abilities and desires. He loves to Marianne Sheridan, but can’t help it, keep it, or make himself vulnerable enough to completely let go. Seeing Normal PeopleI alternately wanted to hug him and shake him by the shoulders, saying, “What are you, Connell? Tell me what you want!” My visceral reaction was a result of Mezcal of excellent performance, and could not imagine anyone more, bringing’connell of the inner turmoil of the screen.
Perhaps the most memorable scene of the series is when’connell sees a counselor at the Trinity College for the first time after the unexpected suicide of his old friend of the house. While speaking with the counselor, confessing his lack of interest in all the things you used to enjoy, ‘connell breaks, and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see. He deserves an award just to keep the big ol’ drop of saliva on his lips forever. If you can make it through that scene without at least tearing, so I am not sure that you are a human.
The full frontal nudity in sobs, the Mezcal left himself completely exposed playing’connell, and paid in a big way. Could someone have played’connell? Yes, I guess. Could someone have played’connell with the same vulnerability, the complexity and the power? Hard not to. Mezcal deserves major props for bringing Sally Rooney compelling novel to life (in addition to inspire countless sex dreams and make silver chains cool again). Normal People it may have been a limited series, but the viewing experience is likely to stay with me forever, and I give 100 percent of the credits to Paul Mezcal.
