And now we finish up the last four categories in this week's Best of 2011 posts. As always, film titles that are also links will take you to my review of said film.
Best Supporting Actress
15. Carey Mulligan
Drive
I have a good friend who says that Carey Mulligan always looks sad. She certainly captured damaged, fragile, and desperate as the damsel in distress to Gosling's (white? black?) knight.
14. Amy Ryan
Win Win
One of the most convincing portrayals of a woman caught up in her maternal instincts against her better judgement that I have ever seen. And funny at times.
13. Elle Fanning
Super 8
Ms. Fanning is an adorable yet capable young actress and there are moments in this film where she becomes so much more.
12. Bryce Dallas Howard
The Help
It took me a few hours after leaving the theater to stop hating her character enough to realize what a phenomenal job Ms. Howard had done.
11. Yeo-jeong Yoon
The Housemaid
Korean character actress Yoon is fantastic as the older domestic who foolishly starts a most disastrous chain of events and spends the rest of the film trying to atone.
10. Cate Blanchett
Hanna
I love the way Cate Blanchett commits to every role that she plays with everything she has. I'd never seen her play a slightly psychopathic villain before, but this type of role was no different.
9. Berenice Bejo
The Artist
It is refreshing to see perky played in a way that is more endearing than cloying. She is a light in this film.
8. Jessica Chastain
The Help
She would steal every scene she appears in here if she weren't in so many with co-star Spencer.
7. Vanessa Redgrave
Corialanus
Her skill with the Shakespearean script is readily apparent and her characterization of this classic role is so...formidable.
6. Janet McTeer
Albert Nobbs
She is just as believable as a man or as a woman living as a man. These two perceptions of her vie for prominence from scene to scene to scene.
5. Melissa McCarthy
Bridesmaids
You have to make a very good bawdy comedy to get me laughing out loud but, dammit, she got me like a dozen times. But then there's this very poignant scene with co-star Wiig late in the movie that really seals the deal for me. Surprisingly well rounded performance.
4. Sareh Bayet
A Separation
This young Iranian actress was the standout for me amid one of the strongest ensemble films of the year in any language.
3. Octavia Spencer
The Help
One of the funniest performances by any performer in 2011, Spencer also imbued Minnie with so much humanity and dignity. No one can begrudge her the Oscar win, but...
2. Jessica Chastain
The Tree of Life
No acting nomination has ever been given to anyone appearing in any film directed by Terence Malick, but she did so much with so little dialogue or screen time. She was nurturing, beautiful young motherhood in archetype, but every look of worry, love, or sorrow was that of a living breathing woman. Her voice made me feel safe, like you imagine a baby feeling safe in a womb.... I hate trying to talk about The Tree of Life.
1. Carey Mulligan
Shame
I have this friend who says that Carey Mulligan always looks sad. Maybe she does, but in this film she plays the personification of sorrow, utterly horrible and beautiful to behold. So much has been made by myself and many before me of her rendition of "New York, New York" and it is brilliant, but every moment of her performance as Sissy is. I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that she is one of the most talented actresses of her generation.
Tin Toadstool: Barbara Hershey
Insidious
Oh, I feel guilty about giving this award to such a talented actress (but that's sort of the point). Someone as talented as Ms. Hershey should have been able to rise above the quality of the script and give a performance that was a little less cloying and stereotypical. I'm going to go rewatch Black Swan now and pretend that this never happened.
Best Actress
20. Zana Marjanovic
In the Land of Blood and Honey
This largely unknown Bosnian actress's powerhouse performance was the centerpiece of Ms. Jolie's directorial debut. Heartbreaking.
19. Emma Stone
The Help
She may have been overshadowed a bit by some of her more experienced co-stars, but just holding your own leading this ensemble is still quite an accomplishment.
18. Mia Wasikowska
Jane Eyre
This costume drama may have gotten lost in the shuffle by the time awards season rolled around, but this talented young actress still deserves credit for taking a role that so many have played before and making it decidedly her own.
17. Khomotso Manyaka
Life, Above All
Whatever my problems with the way this movie ended, this young South African actress certainly made getting there a much more compelling journey than it otherwise would have been.
16. Elizabeth Olsen
Martha Marcy Mae Marlene
There are so many layers to this young actress's performance. A calm veneer with so much underneath.
15. Michelle Williams
My Week With Marilyn
I know, this is nowhere near the top five, but while Ms. Williams always does a superb job, and this is no exception, I believe that her popularity with the Academy had a lot to do with her eventual nomination, Still, very nice work.
14. Vera Farmiga
Higher Ground
It is never easy to direct yourself, especially in your directorial debut, yet Ms. Farmiga does an exceptional job of doing just that as this woman in a life long search for spiritual enlightenment.
13. Jeong-hie Yun
Poetry
As Mija, Ms. Yun faces so many challenges and problems with such courage and heart, how could I not honor this multi-faceted and subtle performance?
12. Adepero Oduye
Pariah
As a young black lesbian woman having to come to grips with all aspects of how the world sees her and what that means to how she sees herself, Ms. Oduye had a lot to work with and more than makes the most of it. Outstanding.
11. Charlize Theron
Young Adult
The always impressive Ms. Theron might have place higher on this list if her character Mavis weren't so thoroughly unlikeable, but there IS still plenty to like about her portrayel.
10. Glenn Close
Albert Nobbs
The material she had to work with was a little dry, but the always ingenious Glenn Close still makes the most of it, even if she is overshadowed a little by co-star McTeer.
9. Leila Hatami
A Separation
If you saw one non-English language film from 2011, it should have been A Separation. Star Hatami is a huge part of the reason why.
8. Saoirse Ronan
Hanna
Whether refugee, ghost, assassin, or sweet little girl, I always buy into whatever this young actress does. Best action hero performance of the year.
7. Rooney Mara
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Followed by the best action anti-hero performance of the year. What else can I say? I wouldn't mess with her.
6. Viola Davis
The Help
I know, I know, but if we're being honest her Oscar campaign was based more upon how rarely they get the opportunity to honor her, than upon this being the best role she's ever played. Still, excellent work, as always.
5. Juliette Binoche
Certified Copy
This French actress can portray more in silent close up than most actresses can in a whole monologue...and she does.
4. Olivia Colman
Tyrannosaur
From quiet strength to utter desperation, this performance runs the emotional gamut without ever skipping a single beat. Absolutely extraordinary.
3. Meryl Streep
The Iron Lady
She WAS Margaret Thatcher, and there's not a lot more to say.
2. Tilda Swinton
We Need To Talk About Kevin
There is absolutely no justification for Ms. Swinton's exclusion from the Academy Awards this year. She is ALWAYS excellent, and this may be the best work she has ever done. Her character goes through things we cannot even imagine, but her performance allows us to.
1. Kirsten Dunst
Melancholia
Director Von Trier's misplaced comments at Cannes may have kept this film out of awards consideration, and that is very sad, as it was one of the year's best. The greatest tragedy, though, is that Ms. Dunst's brilliant work went unrecognized. Well, not here. As a woman struggling with both her own internal issues and the end of the world, she shines with tarnished light.
Tin Toadstool: Sara Paxton
The Innkeepers
I was rooting for the ghost fifteen minutes into her performance...the second time. The first time I tried to watch it she put me to sleep in ten.
Best Actor
20. Brendan Gleeson
The Guard
This Irish buddy cop movie left little to recommend BEYOND Mr. Gleeson's performance, but he is worth recommending.
19. Peyman Moadi
A Separation
This Iranian actor was overshadowed a bit by his female co-stars, but this excellent film would still never have triumphed as it did without his excellent work.
18. Brad Pitt
Moneyball
Yes, Brad was very good and believable in this role, but in all honesty it didn't give him a huge range of emotions to work with and was not particularly challenging. Still, very good.
17. George Pistereanu
If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle
As debut performances go, it doesn't get much better than what this young Romanian actor does in this otherwise decent prison drama.
16. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
50/50
Some day Mr. Gordon-Levitt will reap awards glory and his dromedic (yes, it's a word NOW) portrayal of a young man fighting cancer is an excellent stepping stone in that direction.
15. Hunter McKraken
The Tree of Life
As the symbol of both innocent childhood and growing up, this young actor's debut was quite astonishing. More about simple little slices of life than big dramatic moments, but utterly believable.
14. Ralph Fiennes
Corialanus
As I've stated before, directing oneself in a directing debut is both courageous and difficult even when the script is not in Middle English verse. Mr. Fiennes makes it look easy.
13. Antonio Banderes
The Skin I Live In
This wacky, out there little horror/drama would never have worked without Banderes's compelling, slightly over the top central performance. If you have never seen the man perform in his native language, you have no idea what he is really capable of.
12. Damien Bechir
A Better Life
Only one of the Academy's nominees this year actually made my top five, but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate how good they were. Mr. Bechir's performance in this film was highly touching and EXTREMELY well done.
11. Gary Oldman
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Very subtle work here, which actually makes it even more impressive how interesting he manages to make the character of Smiley.
10. Michael Parks
Red State
Equal parts hilarious, charismatic, and scary. An absolutely brilliant performance in one of the year's most underrated films.
9. Peter Mullan
Tyrannosaur
Upstaged by co-star Colman? Maybe a little, but almost the entire film hinges on these two roles, and the film is amazing. So is Mullan.
8. Tom Cullen
Weekend
Cullen is so natural and believable in this role. He really takes you inside his head with him in a way that creeps up on you stealthily.
7. Jean Dujardin
The Artist
I'm always impressed when an actor can convey just as much in their moments of silence as they do when speaking. Here, those moments were the whole performance and the silence was mostly golden, indeed.
6. Woody Harrelson
Rampart
Who would have ever thought when he was on Cheers that Woody would grow up to be one of our most versatile and capable film stars. He is always outstanding, and this conflicted, dirty cop may be his best role yet.
5. Ryan Gosling
Drive
Remember what I said about Jean Dujardin's ability to convey so much in silence. Well, Gosling conveys more in silence than everyone else in this film while they are speaking. When he does speak, it carries even more weight for its scarcity. It is also worth noting how difficult it is to create a character who is equal parts sympathetic and scary.
4. George Clooney
The Descendants
It is no exaggeration to say that this is probably Clooney's finest performance yet. Funny, poignant, conflicted, angry, sad...a whole spectrum of demands on his abilities. He meets every one. Out of the nominated actors at this year's Oscars, I feel that his performance was probably the most deserving.
3. Matthias Schoenaerts
Bullhead
This Belgian actor gives perhaps the most intensive study ever of the true meaning of masculinity and how society's perceptions of such affect the men within it. Haunting.
2. Michael Fassbender
Shame
If Carey Mulligan was sadness personified in Shame, then what was co-star Fassbender? Desperation? Helplessness? Futility? Shame? How about perfection?
1. Michael Shannon
Take Shelter
Have you ever really worried that you were losing your mind, because I have, and its the kind of feeling that is almost impossible to express to someone unless they've been through it. Somehow, Shannon does it. He really does.
Tin Toadstool: Brian White
The Heart Specialist
Muggiest, most predictable performance by anyone of any gender, maybe of the decade.
Best Acting Ensemble
A truly great acting ensemble is not just about a lot of good individual performances. It is about how the actors work together to make a cohesive whole that truly is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Which is very different from Best Picture. I'm not giving any commentary on these. If you've seen the films, read over the list of actors and I think you will understand why each of these made the list. If you haven't seen them, shame on you, go do so. All fifteen of these are well worth your time.
15. Ides of March
Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marissa Tomei
14. Red State
Michael Parks, John Goodman, Melissa Leo, Michael Angaro, Nicholas Braun, Ronnie Connell, Kyle Gallner
13. Midnight in Paris
Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Michael Sheen, Corey Stoll, Tom Hiddleston, Kathy Bates, Marion Cotillard, Adrien Brody
12. The Housemaid
Do-yeon Jeon, Jung-Jae Lee, Yeo-jeong Yoon, Woo Seo, Ji-Young Park, Seo-Hyeon Ahn
11. The Artist
Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle
10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Helena Bonham Carter, Kelly MacDonald, Ciaran Hinds, Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Miriam Margolyes, Gemma Jones, David Thewliss, Julie Walters, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman
9. The Skin I Live In
Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes, Roberto Alamo
8. Crazy, Stupid, Love
Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marissa Tomei, Kevin Bacon
7. A Separation
Peyman Moedi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayet, Sarina Farhadi
6. Margin Call
Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Simon Baker, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci
5. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, John Hurt, Toby Jones, David Dencik, Ciaran Hinds, Kathy Burke, Benedict Cumberbatch
4. Drive
Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Al Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman
3. Bridesmaids
Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolf, Rose Byrne, Chris O'Dowd
2. The Descendants
George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, Nick Krause, Beau Bridges, Robert Forster, Matthew Lillard, Judy Greer
1. The Help
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney, Cicely Tyson
And that completes the Froggies for performances for 2011. Join me back here next Saturday as we continue the Best of 2011 series with writing, directing, and Best Picture Awards.
Froggy
Awards Buzz, Oscar Predictions, Classic Cinema, and Movie Reviews
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