You've Been Sleeping on Andy García Since 1991
Andy García is a great guy and we won't be taking any further questions on the matter. But we can sort of understand why he's not the immediate go-to for Instagram menswear archivists; those that collate really great and reasonably old red carpet shots for nothing more than the soothing, weird joy that comes with cataloguing images (and perhaps the hefty hit of double-tapped dopamine). Because, despite earning a best supporting actor nomination for his appearance in The Godfather Part III, the actor had this achievement eclipsed by very token of being in The Godfather Part III. The conclusion of the Corleone saga is often considered Pacino's and Pacino's alone.
García never did go all the way with an Oscar that night – nor did Francis Ford Coppola's final chapter in the mafia epic, the film failing to garner a single win despite seven nominations. But the night belonged to him for another reason: a very classic tux being one, and the second being the sort of slickback we all wished for in lockdown rather than the reality of the accidental Grayson Perry monk cut.
This wasn't any normal penguin suit either. It was big. As in billowy, loose and boxy; just enough to be a Balenciaga ad, but far from the realms of sack-like Pavarottis. If you're starring in the most iconic mafia film ever made, makes sense to go suit on the tux and jam in a black-on-black silk pocket square. Now clamp your hands, move them around slowly and, on three, say sprezzatura.
It pre-empted other big moves for García. Eight years later, the Cuban-American actor went from "I made confession, Connie" to "no Mr Bond, I expect you to die". Instead of a black dinner jacket, García opted for piano man white. The fit was still oversized, but, again, a few millimetres short of 'before and after' weight loss Tube ad. And to top it off, the actor proved that the wearing of red carpet sunglasses was permissible and cool – pre-2000, anyway. Anything after that has inherent fresh divorcee energy and it's difficult to say why.
But in hindsight, it's a good thing. Instagram accounts like @nightopenings are trading on that very currency as they parade grainy shots from the salad days of Hollywood, forever looking into the rear view mirror of celebrity culture gone by. García is much closer than he appears.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more delivered straight to your inbox
Need some positivity right now? Subscribe to Esquire now for a hit of style, fitness, culture and advice from the experts
You Might Also Like
