Only one of these (Casey Affleck) I've never actually seen, so I basically already know that this group is going to be a really wonderful year to review. I love when I know that all the nominees are going to be fun to watch again for one reason or another. I'm excited for Affleck's performance and can't wait to see how it ranks among the other 4!
2007 Best Supporting Actor
Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem's portrayal of Anton Chigurh is one of the greatest instances of a "villain" being portrayed onscreen in the history of film. I truly feel that is an accurate statement. It's an absolute instant classic in the same vein as Chistoph Waltzs' Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds (to name a contemporary comparison). It's an instantly memorable character from the voice, to the haircut, to the cattle stungun with which he kills some of his victims. We remember his scenes the most out of this film, like when he flips a coin to decide the fate of a gas station owner and calls him 'friendo,' all of which leave a mark on the viewer. The tension throughout the movie is so taut that we don't root for anyone to succeed - not Llewellyn or Chigurh. We only wait to see what happens next and that usually means what Chigurh does next, as he is the catalyst for moving this film forward. Bardem transcends and breaks down what is a typical villain role because he sets his own new standard. He is evil and bad but also somewhat funny. He acts without conscience or hesitation and calmly does his job at a plodding, but sincere, pace. Bardem forces you to admire his character, whether you want to or not, due to his workman-like attitude. There is no doubt that Bardem's character will be looked at as a paragon for villains for years, and maybe even decades, to come.
Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
I will admit that this movie is my most anticipated one since I began this blog. I've heard great things about this movie and know the cast is really incredible and that the cinematography is excellent. I just wanted to say that I was really excited about this one going into it. Having now finally watched it, I'm not sure why this wasn't a Best Picture nominee. That's how much I liked it. The acting was brilliant and Affleck absolutely deserved this nomination even if you throw out his other good performance of the year in Gone Baby Gone. Affleck conveys so much emotion just by moving his eyes and it was incredible to watch. He could show us embarrassment, absolute hatred, child-like glee and wonder, and apprehension among what was seemingly an endless display of human emotions without saying a word. And even though we know what happens in the end with him killing Jesse James, Affleck is able to resonate with the viewer and gain some understanding of his action, if not a little sympathy or pity. I can understand what it must be like to meet a childhood idol only to have them not live up to expectations and, ultimately, end up hating them because they are not the idealized version you had dreamed up. Affleck is terrific at maneuvering through the complexities of portraying a desperate and needy fan boy who only wants to fit in and be somebody while still dealing with being tormented, sometimes by James himself, and reconciling with his lofty ambitions he so desperately clings to. It's a unique and in depth look at how people strive for and deal with fame that is truly magnified by Affleck's great performance.
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Wilson's War
After wondering why the Academy would nominate Hoffman for this role I came to two conclusions: they like going back to the well with their darlings (past winners/nominees) and Hoffman was being rewarded for an incredible 2007. To take nothing away from his role in this film, he had a few good performances a la Jessica Chastain in 2011 that may have secured this one for him. He plays a CIA agent who helps a hard partying, embattled Congressman from Texas fund the mujahadeen in their fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan. You can tell Aaron Sorkin's hands are all over this because at times it feels like a TV series, and Hoffman's dialogue is whip fast and too perfect. Hoffman himself plays the role ideally, with a gravitas you'd expect from an Oscar winner. However, you can't help but feel like you've already seen this type of character from Hoffman before. It reminded me of a mix of Along Came Polly, Punch-Drunk Love, and The Ides of March characters all rolled into one. Which I admit is a bit unfair since the latter film only just came out last year (2011). So I can't knock him too hard for that. He's a kind of director of the action and he is excellent at moving a scene along or shouldering the tough bits without letting us down. It's a treat to watch Hoffman do his thing - even in a film like this.
Hal Holbrook - Into the Wild
This is a very inspired performance from Hal Holbrook. I don't see it as inspiring, however, but I can certainly appreciate and respect the effort. It's incredibly obvious to me that Holbrook was so thrilled and elated to have a final shot at turning out a memorable movie role that he put his all into this one. Or at least that's what I think every time he's onscreen. His joy is palpable and his ease with which he inhabits his character speaks to an actor that has totally fused himself to the role. I liked watching his scenes because he really injected some life into a film that went long stretches of being too serious and inward. You can tell he cherished his time onscreen and the audience was definitely better for it. I do think this nomination has a bit of the usual Academy rewarding a career type sheen to it but I can see half the voters really loving the performance because it's easy to become infatuated with. Though Holbrook's character becomes a sort of father figure to the main character, Chris, it's mostly forced and seems like a dull tool with which to humanize him. This is no fault of Holbrook as the script and directing do their best to neuter him. It's unfortunate that the film did his energized performance no favors as it could have truly shined in better company.
Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton
Wilkinson's initial intro monologue is full of force and power and is a capsule of his whole performance. It's almost fun to watch him during this film because everyone else is so serious. He's had a mental breakdown and is able to have fun with his character since it means acting like a child at times. He's a man who's guilt has eaten at his insides and taken over his body and possibly made him go off his manic-depressive meds leading to his break. When Wilkinson is onscreen, the breakdown feels like an excuse for him to atone for his 6 years of defending the agrochemical company even though his law firm has no plans of settling or going to trial in order to make more money.Wilkinson is at the top of his acting game here and in fine form. He's like a man possessed, he inhabits his character and fully owns his performance. Wilkinson is the catalyst for Clooney's character questioning his role as a "fixer" and Wilkinson's litigator makes the audience question the tactics of U North and the firms they hire. Wilkinson does a great job of instantly getting the audience on his side
despite the fact that we don't really know the particulars of the case.
It's fascinating to watch because he's come undone just as he's found
his conscience which I think is the main point of the film -- the truth
will set you free, but at what price? It's great acting in a wonderfully cerebral film.
The Supporting Actor category continues to be an amazing group of men and one that I enjoy watching for this blog. No one here is undeserving of their nomination and each role was a lot of fun to watch. Bardem's role was easily the best and it stood about 100 times better than the rest. It was a classic character that blew the rest out of the water, though Affleck did give him a run for his money. I really, really like Affleck and I feel that in most any other year he would have won. It was that good to me and my clear second. Wilkinson was also really good and really helped elevate this year's Supporting into a stronger category. Hoffman and Holbrook bring up the rear but not because they were terrible. Both made their respective films that much better because they were in them. All in all, 2007 was a great year not only for film but for individual acting as well.
Oscar Winner: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
My Winner: Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
Casey Affleck
Tom Wilkinson
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hal Holbrook
