You look at this list of names and it's a who's who of acting giants. Everyone on this list already has an Oscar (Pitt's was for producing 12 Years a Slave) and I wonder how many times that has happened in history. I'm happy that Brad gets his first acting Oscar as this was his night from the start of the race. No one else even came close. I know I'm going to enjoy all of these performances because I don't think anyone on this list could be awful when they actually try. Interesting that from these giants, no one had been nominated since 2012 for acting and that was Brad. Before that it was 2000 for Tom Hanks, so it's been awhile for everyone here to have been nominated again. Good to see them all back.
2019 Best Supporting Actor
Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
This win was locked up from the start and the whole race was just a victory tour for Brad. It's probably the best outcome and certainly the best performance of the bunch. Finally, Brad gets his acting Oscar and now everyone on this list has at least one. To me, this is sort of the perfect type of role for Brad. He's this laconic, cool guy figure that draws you in using only a stare or these brief badass moments where he fights Bruce Lee or a hippy. For what seems like such a simple performance, Brad brings a ton of depth to the role. He's not just an aging stunt guy hitched to another aging star. He's a protector and comfortable with where he is in life and the simplicity of it all. The story alludes to so much more to this character and we never really get to dive in to figure it all out, but Brad helps fill in some of those missing pieces just from his presence in a certain scene. We learn a lot about who he is without him dumping a bunch of exposition on us about his past or what he's thinking in every second. We can try to figure it out just from him sideways glancing at Bruce Lee or figuring out there's some weird stuff going on at the Spahn Ranch. Brad is the kind of actor that can act without having to say a lot and it serves him well in this role. I'm so glad that he finally won an acting Oscar and even more glad it was for a role that he seemed to really love and give his all to. This is one of those wins you can look back on say that the Academy got it absolutely right.
Tom Hanks - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
It's been forever since Tom Hanks has been nominated for an Oscar after it seemed like he could get nominated for anything. And in that time since his last nomination in 2001, he has done some tremendous work and probably should have been nominated for a few of them. For this one, he plays the lovable Mr. Rogers. This film isn't a Mr. Rogers biopic, though, hence why Hanks is nominated in Supporting Actor. It's really a film about a journalist who is made to interview Mr. Rogers and then the two become friends and it's about how that friendship shaped and affected the journalist. Filling Mr. Rogers' shoes and sweater is a tall task. I'm not sure anyone but Hanks could even be up for the task and even he fails a little. Not that Hanks isn't right, just that no one can match Mr. Rogers' genuine warmth and compassion and humanity and his love for people. That always came through on his show and Hanks has the tough job of trying to replicate that. And while Hanks is a warm, likable guy himself he just can't quite match Mr. Rogers. It's a damn good try, though, as Hanks really does try to get to the heart of Mr. Rogers. It's just that no one can really match that so we are left with seeing Hanks play Mr. Rogers on screen, but in fairness he plays him really well. He has the warmth and ethos of Mr. Rogers down pat and watching him makes you nostalgic for sitting around watching the actual show as a kid. I think it's that spirit of Mr. Rogers that Hanks evokes that makes this a successful performance. It might not be quite all the way there, but no one would be able to do that. But this is definitely a palatable approximation of a much loved wonderful man. To be clear, I don't want a full on imitation of Mr. Rogers, I am merely saying that he is a unique individual and Hanks' interpretation of the man is quite something. It's a nice welcome back to the Oscars for Hanks.
Anthony Hopkins - The Two Popes
Hopkins plays Cardinal Ratzinger who became Pope Benedict XVI. We briefly see him as Cardinal after the previous Pope has died and doing the political maneuvering thing before the vote. Most of the time is him as Pope Benedict and his conversations with Jonathan Pryce's Cardinal Bergoglio. It's an intimate look at two men who lead a religion and have differences in opinion on how the faith should be interpreted. They respect each other, though, and from that we see this mutually satisfying discussion on faith and what it means. Hopkins eventually lets on that he's going to resign because he's old and can't hear God anymore and there are lots of scandals swirling around the Vatican. It's almost a crisis of faith but not quite as Hopkins gives us a really honest portrayal of a complex man. It felt like he was just having a talk with me as the viewer as corny as that sounds, but it felt so personal. It's like we are a fly on the wall as these two men shape the direction of the Church. There's a lot of brief, dry humor in this film that Hopkins excels at that keeps this film from caving in from it's own serious weight. He allows us to see the Pope is not some infallible person, he likes drinking orange Fanta and playing the piano. He's a man that's been put into a position of power that he's now not sure he can or should wield. I like that Hopkins and Pryce talking together feels more like two equals conversing rather than it being something contentious or a competition. The two compliment each other well and feed off of each other and it's so fun to watch. I adore Pryce's performance, but Hopkins is no slouch here. He paints a complex portrait of a man losing faith who has to make a tough decision. You can see the anguish and doubt on his face and that's all because of Hopkins' acting. He's tired and wants something better for the Church. Hopkins is so convincing in this aspect and it makes for a very good performance.
Al Pacino - The Irishman
What I liked about this film from Scorsese was that it was a return to form for everyone involved. And it wasn't a Goodfellas Part 2 that I think a lot of people were hoping for. It's this reflective, pensive story about the past. It's hard to imagine that Pacino and Scorsese had never worked together until now, but it feels like a match made in heaven. This was indeed a return to form for Pacino as his turn here as Jimmy Hoffa. What I like best about it is that this is acting and not just Pacino yelling loudly and wildly flailing his arms and looking crazy and calling that acting. He can create the persona of Jimmy as the huge influential guy with lots of power without resorting to the cliches he's done in the past. He's playing Jimmy Hoffa and bringing that presence to the film and not playing Al Pacino and bring his own overpowering presence to the film. Even when Pacino does have to get loud when rousing the teamster union guys, it's with a purpose and still constrained a bit. That intense passion for the union and the people comes out in the performance and we see some of that in the interactions between Hoffa and De Niro's character who become good friends. There's control and fight in this performance as we see Hoffa deal with the union and other leaders and the mob and their people as well as the government. This determination and control from Pacino lends a nice earnest quality to Hoffa. He's a man with a plan who wants to get things done but also loves the power of it all. Which is part of his downfall and how it all comes about is a bit heartbreaking and that's due to Pacino and De Niro having such great working chemistry. I was wary going into this film that the nominations would be well earned or just given because of who they are but Pacino earns this one easily. This is his best work in years and I wish we'd get more of this on the big screen from him.
Joe Pesci - The Irishman
It's so weird to be around for films getting made. By that I mean this had been a rumored film for Scorsese for awhile and it was just a matter of when he'd make it. And then when it started to be a reality it came out that Pesci kept turning down a role in the film before finally taking it. I remember seeing still shots from the set of Pesci and De Niro and then it finally comes out. So there's this whole expectation of waiting for something and thinking how performances might end up based on previous work. What I love a ton about Pesci's performance in this film is that it subverts all of those expectations. We think of Pesci as this explosive little man who will intimidate you by getting in your face and yelling or by just blowing your face off. He's always played these powerful roles in Scorsese flicks and this is no different. The actual difference is that he comes out of retirement and plays a guy who quietly gets things done behind the scenes. He might just suggest something happen or even give just a look, but people know what he wants and expects from them. There are no outbursts from Pesci in this film. He stays pretty even keeled all the way through and gets things done my merely talking with people and asking. That's where Pesci excels with the character. It's not that he just demands people do this or gives them an ultimatum. He talks with them and makes it seem like it's something they want to do, like it's their idea and he's just offering a suggestion. In the scene where he tells De Niro he's going to have to be the one to off Hoffa, it's as if he understands how tough the ask is but it's going to happen so why not have De Niro be the one instead of someone else. I just like how quiet and understated the performance is and that we are getting to see a different side of Pesci in a Scorsese film. I hope this isn't the last we see from Pesci but I fear it probably is and if that's true, then he left us with some truly great performances.
I am very satisfied with this group of incredible actors. You look at this group and see all the iconic names and know they are some of the best to ever do it. You might think the Academy is playing it same and nominating guys it already knows and is comfortable with, but everyone gave a great performance here. Would I like to see more variety and diversity? Hell yeah - if it's earned. But these guys are all here for a reason. When Hopkins is at the bottom, you know it's a strong group. He's terrific as the Pope who is losing faith and it's great to see him back here. Hanks is wonderful as Mr. Rodgers, which is definitely a tough task to undertake. No one else could probably do it and Hanks does a great job. Pesci comes out of retirement and knocks it out of the park again. I wish we had more Pesci to review! Pacino gives one of his better performances in a long time and that was nice to see. He's been doing a lot of good work lately in film and TV, so it's great to see him challenging himself even at this stage. Brad wins it easily and it's a quintessentially Brad performance. So glad he won in a very strong year. Hopefully 2020 brings us some equally good work!
Oscar Winner: Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
My Winner: Brad Pitt - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Al Pacino
Joe Pesci
Tom Hanks
Anthony Hopkins
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