Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s You Can See Everything has kicked up question marks in basically every field it touches on—including in the ever-fractious and fussy world of Hollywood awards eligibility. The film’s heavy use of reenactments—largely starring The Dropout actress Amanda Seyfried, who also appears as some hybrid of documentary subject and willing sidekick to Fielder’s investigative efforts—has already been starting arguments among the Academy’s documentary branch. It’s apparently going to be smoother sailing for Seyfriend herself, though, as THR indicates that not only is she game for a potential Oscars campaign for her work in the movie, but that the Actor’s Branch of the Academy is likely to be down to entertain it.
It’s good news for those who, like we did, are acknowledging that Seyfried is doing some extremely impressive work in You Can See Everything. Besides being a necessary foil in the film’s latter half—where she is an often-enthusiastic partner in Fielder and Oppenheim’s investigations into Elizabeth Holmes and her partner Billy Evans—she also gives fascinating performances in the reenactments themselves. By the time she returns to playing Holmes, we’ve spent a lot of time watching the genuine article, in extremely close views; seeing Seyfried adopt those mannerisms, in moments written from Fielder’s memories of actual interactions, is something akin to a magic trick. (“The fact that actors who I respect and love have said that they’ve experienced it almost as if it’s her is the most incredibly flattering thing I’ve ever experienced,” Seyfried says, “And that makes me feel very good.”)
“A campaign is a lot,” Seyfried, who’s been nominated for an Oscar once, for Mank, and who campaigned hard last year for The Testament Of Ann Lee, acknowledged. “It’s time-consuming. It takes all your energy. And I’m totally willing to do it. A24 is great. They’re excited, and I’m very proud of the film, so I’m fully ready to engage in that.” According to THR, Seyfried has been formally ruled out of acting eligibility for the film by the BAFTAs, Actor Awards, and Golden Globes, but eligible for the Critic’s Choice Awards—while the Oscars themselves are expected to be receptive to a possible pitch. “I love these filmmakers!” she added, explaining why she’s interested in throwing herself back into this particular thresher, even as she’s reflected that being off the press tour for the movie during its initial run has been pretty nice. “I had a great time with this tiny crew. And I think because [the experience] is so rare, and it will never happen again, I’m doubled-down on it.”
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