Alternate Best Actor 1985: Results

5. Tim Curry in Clue- Tim Curry gives a very enjoyable performance where he infuses a great deal of energy in every scene as well as works wonders with the rest of his cast.

4. Jeff Daniels in The Purple Rose of Cairo- Daniels gives a very strong performance as both as the actor and his character. He does a particularly wonderful job portraying the subtle differences between the two.

3. Jonathan Pryce in Brazil- Pryce has a difficult role being a film very much controlled without question by the director. Nevertheless Pryce stands as the solid straight man of the film, giving a likable as well as moving portrayal of a normal man in an overly complex world.

2. Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future- Fox tempted me greatly into giving him the win with his absolutely terrific performance in this film. He carries the film brilliantly with his perfect performance that adds both weight and humor to the film.

1. Raul Julia in Kiss of the Spider Woman- This is an especially shameful year for the academy who nominated several mediocre performance when they could have nominated this terrific line up instead. This was also particularly hard to decide on my ranking on the bottom three, the top two, and even the overall number one. Julia though I give both the win here, as well as the overall along with his co-star Hurt, because what makes both of their performances as tremendous as they both are because of the truly fascinating relationship they create with each other. Both are completely amazing in their roles, but I still should say Fox is right behind them with his equally great even though very different performance.

Overall Rank:

1. William Hurt and Raul Julia in Kiss of the Spider Woman (Tie)
2. Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future
3. Jonathan Pryce in Brazil
4. Jeff Daniels in The Purple Rose of Cairo
5. Tim Curry in Clue
6. Harrison Ford in Witness
7. Mel Gibson in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome 
8. Paul Reubens in Pee Wee's Big Adventure
9. Jeff Bridges in Jagged Edge
10. Anthony Michael Hall in The Breakfast Club  
11. William Peterson in To Live and Die in LA
12. John Getz in Blood Simple
13. Sylvester Stallone in Rambo First Blood Part II
14. Emilio Estevez in The Breakfast Club
15. Sylvester Stallone in Rocky IV
16. James Garner in Murphy's Romance
17. Jon Voight in Runaway Train
18. Robert Redford in Out of Africa
19. Roger Moore in A View To Kill
20. Jack Nicholson in Prizzi's Honor

Next Year: 2008

Posted in: 1985 Alternate Best Actor, Jeff Daniels, Jonathan Pryce, Michael J. Fox, Raul Julia, Tim Curry