Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005: Ed Harris in A History of Violence
Ed Harris did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Carl Fogarty in A History of Violence.Ed Harris portrays the Philadelphia gangster who comes looking for diner owner Tom Stall who recently killed two men trying to rob his diner..
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Nick Nolte in Warrior
Nick Nolte received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Paddy Conlon in Warrior.Warrior details a winner take all mixed martial art tournament whose two main combatants are estranged brothers (Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton) fighting for their own difficult reasons.
Alternate Best Actor 2011
And the Nominees Were Not:Ryan Gosling in DriveRobert Wieckiewicz in In DarknessMichael Fassbender in ShameMichael Shannon in Take ShelterBrendan Gleeson in The Guard..
Showing posts with label 2002 Best Supporting Actor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2002 Best Supporting Actor. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Best Supporting Actor 2002: Results
Best Supporting Actor 2002: Chris Cooper in Adaptation
Chris Cooper won his Oscar from his first nomination for portraying John Laroche in Adaptation.
Chris Cooper portrays the strange John Laroche a strange man who has few teeth missing and an odd hobby which is to steal rare orchids from state lands to cultivate one himself. This is made even stranger by the fact that Laroche actually is suppose to be a purposefully obtuse movie character that was written by Charlie Kaufman the screenwriter to be a purposefully obtuse movie character.
Chris Cooper's performance takes on this strangeness and seeks to exploit it for all it is worth. He certainly makes Laroche into an original odd creation that does work in the context of the film. He is suppose strange but humorous and Cooper is just that strange and humorous. I actually find he goes just far enough without going to far. A flamboyant strange characterization that is grounded enough to be almost a person well being odd enough to be the purposeful crazy character he is suppose to be.
Cooper finds the humor in his characterization without being too cartoony, as well as the strange sort of passion that Laroache has for the Orchids as well as his other hobbies he gave simply because he was done with them. It is a strange obsession that Cooper shows one that is very out of the ordinary, but Cooper actually does show a comfort with the character and his strange ideas that works well for the part of Laroche.
Cooper is effective and entertaining throughout his strange performance, and manages well with his few dramatic scenes too that are still the same character as the funny Orchid Thief. Cooper even still manages to be the part of the totally off the wall Laroche that is presented in the last part of the film becuase he makes it seem possible enough through his consistent portrayal of his oddity.
It is difficult not to be completely over the top with this sort of character but Cooper does manage it. I must stills say though although I like this performance I do not absolutely love it. He is a good part of the film, but on each subsequent viewing of the film I only am more drawn to Nicolas Cage's parts of the film as Kaufman, than to Cooper's parts. A good performance most certainly but just not one of my favorites.
Chris Cooper's performance takes on this strangeness and seeks to exploit it for all it is worth. He certainly makes Laroche into an original odd creation that does work in the context of the film. He is suppose strange but humorous and Cooper is just that strange and humorous. I actually find he goes just far enough without going to far. A flamboyant strange characterization that is grounded enough to be almost a person well being odd enough to be the purposeful crazy character he is suppose to be.
Cooper finds the humor in his characterization without being too cartoony, as well as the strange sort of passion that Laroache has for the Orchids as well as his other hobbies he gave simply because he was done with them. It is a strange obsession that Cooper shows one that is very out of the ordinary, but Cooper actually does show a comfort with the character and his strange ideas that works well for the part of Laroche.
Cooper is effective and entertaining throughout his strange performance, and manages well with his few dramatic scenes too that are still the same character as the funny Orchid Thief. Cooper even still manages to be the part of the totally off the wall Laroche that is presented in the last part of the film becuase he makes it seem possible enough through his consistent portrayal of his oddity.
It is difficult not to be completely over the top with this sort of character but Cooper does manage it. I must stills say though although I like this performance I do not absolutely love it. He is a good part of the film, but on each subsequent viewing of the film I only am more drawn to Nicolas Cage's parts of the film as Kaufman, than to Cooper's parts. A good performance most certainly but just not one of my favorites.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Best Supporting Actor 2002: Christopher Walken in Catch Me If You Can
Christopher Walken received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Frank Abganale Sr. in Catch Me If You Can.
Catch Me If You Can details the exploits of con man Frank Abganale Jr.
Christopher Walken portrays the father of the con man Frank who begins the film as a seemingly successful businessman who loves his son, and his wife. Christopher Walken here plays what is strangely a somewhat rare character in films which is a genuinely loving father character. Walken takes the role and makes the absolute most of Frank Abganale Sr making him a pivotal aspect of the film really because of his performance.
Walken creates a sympathetic portrait of this somewhat simple man who just wants the best for his family, but is unable to give it to them because the IRS are constantly hounding him for something that was not his fault. Walken has some small but very strong moments early on. Walken fully realizes his love for his son and his wife, which he shows especially well in his scene where he reflects on how he came to marry got her, showing what he feels is an honest accomplishment he felt he made.
After his troubles with the IRS though Frank falls onto difficult times in both his finances as well as with his wife. Walken is very effective in showing that Frank is always an optimistic man even in the face of some serious problems. Walken portray very well and very carefully that it is not Frank being unrealistic, but rather a man who insists on always keeping going no matter what is against him.
Walken makes this portrait of Frank an especially tragic one because he never becomes mean or angry over his troubles but instead always stays a good person throughout his troubles. He is particularly heartbreaking for example in the scene with Frank Jr. is being forced to choose a parent to live with. It is a depressing and difficult situation but Walken still shows Frank genuinely trying to keep it together, even though Walken portray an effort here showing that Frank is actually devastated by the divorce.
After this scene the film focuses on DiCaprio various exploits as a conman which are really larger than life, but Walken comes in a few times in what I think are the best scenes of the film. Frank Sr. acts as basically a beacon of reality to Frank Jr. who is leading such an abnormal lifestyle. They meet twice while he is performing various escapades, and these two meetings are phenomenal moments because of Christopher Walken's performance.
The first time they meet Walken still an optimistic but sad Frank Sr. Walken shows Frank truly wants to still get back with his wife and son just so they can be a family. Frank Jr. does not elaborate his exploits only saying that he is a pilot. Walken is great because he creates a genuine joy and pride in Frank over his sons supposed accomplishments. Walken makes it a bittersweet pride because despite his son's apparent success, he must always remind his son that his financial problems, and problems with his wife are still there.
Later in the film they meet again after Frank has found out what his son really has been up to, as well as for himself is on even harder time. Walken is completely heartbreaking in this scene as he tells his son very sadly that it can never be the way it was for them. Walken though still shows that he still loves his son, and even a still a pride in his son. In the end though Walken ends on a somber note that perfectly played showing the reality Frank Sr. faces completely brought to life by Walken that is complete contradiction to basically the fantasy being lived by Frank Jr.
There is not a single moment of this performance that I do not like, and find very effecting. I particularly love his single scene with Tom Hanks as the FBI agent chasing Frank Jr, where he shows his absolute loyalty and love for his son not matter what. This is one performance that I always remember long after watching the film, and for me is the most memorable part of the film as whole. Walken simply gives a pitch perfect performance that makes a truly unforgettable tragic figure because of his complete honesty in his portrayal.
Christopher Walken portrays the father of the con man Frank who begins the film as a seemingly successful businessman who loves his son, and his wife. Christopher Walken here plays what is strangely a somewhat rare character in films which is a genuinely loving father character. Walken takes the role and makes the absolute most of Frank Abganale Sr making him a pivotal aspect of the film really because of his performance.
Walken creates a sympathetic portrait of this somewhat simple man who just wants the best for his family, but is unable to give it to them because the IRS are constantly hounding him for something that was not his fault. Walken has some small but very strong moments early on. Walken fully realizes his love for his son and his wife, which he shows especially well in his scene where he reflects on how he came to marry got her, showing what he feels is an honest accomplishment he felt he made.
After his troubles with the IRS though Frank falls onto difficult times in both his finances as well as with his wife. Walken is very effective in showing that Frank is always an optimistic man even in the face of some serious problems. Walken portray very well and very carefully that it is not Frank being unrealistic, but rather a man who insists on always keeping going no matter what is against him.
Walken makes this portrait of Frank an especially tragic one because he never becomes mean or angry over his troubles but instead always stays a good person throughout his troubles. He is particularly heartbreaking for example in the scene with Frank Jr. is being forced to choose a parent to live with. It is a depressing and difficult situation but Walken still shows Frank genuinely trying to keep it together, even though Walken portray an effort here showing that Frank is actually devastated by the divorce.
After this scene the film focuses on DiCaprio various exploits as a conman which are really larger than life, but Walken comes in a few times in what I think are the best scenes of the film. Frank Sr. acts as basically a beacon of reality to Frank Jr. who is leading such an abnormal lifestyle. They meet twice while he is performing various escapades, and these two meetings are phenomenal moments because of Christopher Walken's performance.
The first time they meet Walken still an optimistic but sad Frank Sr. Walken shows Frank truly wants to still get back with his wife and son just so they can be a family. Frank Jr. does not elaborate his exploits only saying that he is a pilot. Walken is great because he creates a genuine joy and pride in Frank over his sons supposed accomplishments. Walken makes it a bittersweet pride because despite his son's apparent success, he must always remind his son that his financial problems, and problems with his wife are still there.
Later in the film they meet again after Frank has found out what his son really has been up to, as well as for himself is on even harder time. Walken is completely heartbreaking in this scene as he tells his son very sadly that it can never be the way it was for them. Walken though still shows that he still loves his son, and even a still a pride in his son. In the end though Walken ends on a somber note that perfectly played showing the reality Frank Sr. faces completely brought to life by Walken that is complete contradiction to basically the fantasy being lived by Frank Jr.
There is not a single moment of this performance that I do not like, and find very effecting. I particularly love his single scene with Tom Hanks as the FBI agent chasing Frank Jr, where he shows his absolute loyalty and love for his son not matter what. This is one performance that I always remember long after watching the film, and for me is the most memorable part of the film as whole. Walken simply gives a pitch perfect performance that makes a truly unforgettable tragic figure because of his complete honesty in his portrayal.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Best Supporting Actor 2002: John C. Reilly in Chicago
John C. Reilly received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Amos Hart in Chicago.
Chicago is a musical tells of the trial and fame of a murderess Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger).
John C. Reilly who also was in The Hours, and Gangs of New York both Best Picture nominees was nominated himself with the Best Picture winner Chicago. Reilly plays Amos Hart the husband of adulteress Roxie who basically acts as a unknowing sap used by Roxie and her slimy lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to their ends only. Amos basically just follows along doing exactly what they tell him to do, or manipulate him to do.
Reilly gives an appropriate performance in turn as a sap. He shows that there really is nothing special about Amos, and he really is not to bright. Reilly is mostly just required to look surprised and very modest. A character like this really is not suppose to standout all that much, and Reilly portrays Amos just as he should be. This means that although Reilly performance is not amazing as Amos his performance is instead just as Amos should be.
There is an exception to the rest of his performance where he does standout which is with his single song Mr. Cellophane. Reilly is front and center during the song and does make the most of it. He sings the song technically well, but more importantly he brings out the emotions of song strongly. He brings the heart and soul of Amos into the scene of the real pain of being Mr. Cellophane, and I am sure it is this scene that got him the nomination.
After that scene though it is just the same old Amos and the scene stands alone to show more of Amos than just the sap represented by the rest of the film. Reilly though gives a suitable performance throughout that is not asking much of him, but the Mr. Cellophane scene is very well handled as well as indicates that if more was asked of Reilly he probably would have brought more.
John C. Reilly who also was in The Hours, and Gangs of New York both Best Picture nominees was nominated himself with the Best Picture winner Chicago. Reilly plays Amos Hart the husband of adulteress Roxie who basically acts as a unknowing sap used by Roxie and her slimy lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to their ends only. Amos basically just follows along doing exactly what they tell him to do, or manipulate him to do.
Reilly gives an appropriate performance in turn as a sap. He shows that there really is nothing special about Amos, and he really is not to bright. Reilly is mostly just required to look surprised and very modest. A character like this really is not suppose to standout all that much, and Reilly portrays Amos just as he should be. This means that although Reilly performance is not amazing as Amos his performance is instead just as Amos should be.
There is an exception to the rest of his performance where he does standout which is with his single song Mr. Cellophane. Reilly is front and center during the song and does make the most of it. He sings the song technically well, but more importantly he brings out the emotions of song strongly. He brings the heart and soul of Amos into the scene of the real pain of being Mr. Cellophane, and I am sure it is this scene that got him the nomination.
After that scene though it is just the same old Amos and the scene stands alone to show more of Amos than just the sap represented by the rest of the film. Reilly though gives a suitable performance throughout that is not asking much of him, but the Mr. Cellophane scene is very well handled as well as indicates that if more was asked of Reilly he probably would have brought more.
Best Supporting Actor 2002: Ed Harris in The Hours
Ed Harris Received his fourth Oscar nomination for portraying Richard Brown in The Hours.
The Hours details three troubled episodes in the lives of three women from different time periods.
Ed Harris plays the aids stricken gay but former boyfriend now friend of the the now lesbian Clarissa (Meryl Streep). Ed Harris' performance is the type that just screams for an Oscar he is playing a gay dying character who is also crazed and even suicidal. Although I suppose a performance even when way to baity can still be good, but this is not the case of Ed Harris' performance, who wants to brilliantly play against type but instead plays the part way over the top.
Harris' performance is basically made up of just two scenes where he gets to act loudly toward the screen making sure the audience knows he playing a troubled dramatic suicidal man. He does this with so many dramatic line reading and even the way he sits and moves around suggests that he just wants to make sure everyone sees how much acting he is doing in the part.
Harris takes every moment of his performance to use an obvious voice to suggest that Richard is gay, poet and sick all at once. It far too much overacting from Harris who adds to his too calculated of a voice with some equally actory and over the top faces to add to his needlessly overblown performance. Harris could have toned down just a little any facet of his performance but always stays way far too over the top to be believable.
Harris wants to give an impassioned powerful performance that wants to be a heartbreaking portrait of this poet. For me though he fails completely because he insists on giving such a knowing performance. He never for a moment is able to bring an actual emotion because of his portrayal. His needlessly overdone performance becomes cringe worthy unfortunately. He never for a moment brings genuine emotion because of this despite how desperately he wants it to seem an emotional powerhouse of a performance.
Ed Harris plays the aids stricken gay but former boyfriend now friend of the the now lesbian Clarissa (Meryl Streep). Ed Harris' performance is the type that just screams for an Oscar he is playing a gay dying character who is also crazed and even suicidal. Although I suppose a performance even when way to baity can still be good, but this is not the case of Ed Harris' performance, who wants to brilliantly play against type but instead plays the part way over the top.
Harris' performance is basically made up of just two scenes where he gets to act loudly toward the screen making sure the audience knows he playing a troubled dramatic suicidal man. He does this with so many dramatic line reading and even the way he sits and moves around suggests that he just wants to make sure everyone sees how much acting he is doing in the part.
Harris takes every moment of his performance to use an obvious voice to suggest that Richard is gay, poet and sick all at once. It far too much overacting from Harris who adds to his too calculated of a voice with some equally actory and over the top faces to add to his needlessly overblown performance. Harris could have toned down just a little any facet of his performance but always stays way far too over the top to be believable.
Harris wants to give an impassioned powerful performance that wants to be a heartbreaking portrait of this poet. For me though he fails completely because he insists on giving such a knowing performance. He never for a moment is able to bring an actual emotion because of his portrayal. His needlessly overdone performance becomes cringe worthy unfortunately. He never for a moment brings genuine emotion because of this despite how desperately he wants it to seem an emotional powerhouse of a performance.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Best Supporting Actor 2002: Paul Newman in Road to Perdition
Paul Newman received his ninth and final acting Oscar nomination for portraying John Rooney in Road to Perdition.
Road to Perdition details the attempt of a mob hitman Michael Sullivan Sr. and his son Jr. to get revenge on the gangster who murdered the rest of their family.
Paul Newman portrays Irish gangster John Rooney. Rooney is the gangster who Sullivan works for, and it is his son Connor (Daniel Craig) who kills Michael family after Michael's son saw Connor kill a man. Newman portrays Rooney as a rather quiet old gangster who certainly is past his time of being truly deadly and dangerous man. Newman at the beginning of his performance has a genuine fatherly and grandfatherly quality.
Newman's performance is genuinely a warm old man to Sullivan and his sons. Newman does not portray this as a facade, but that Rooney does honestly care for them. There is of course an undercurrent of the gangster he is in his performance but it is not an overriding facet of Rooney. What Newman more thoroughly suggests is a once brutal gangster who with age has aged past the stage in which he can be as cold as he really needs to be in his position.
The two pivotal aspects of Newman's performance and character comes from his fatherly relationships in the film his first with John's actual son Connor. Newman interestingly portrays this as he does have a love for his son, but a love he actually wants to shake. Newman is very convincing in his portrayal of this strange conflict that John has over his son. He frankly wants to let him die as Connor is not only a screw up but a backstabber, but his natural fatherly love prevents it.
His other one is with his adopted son Michael. Rooney faces the fact that to keep his actual son alive, and his position he must kill his adopted son. Here is where Newman shows the lack of the killer edge with Rooney who frankly does not heart to go through with the murders. Newman portrays a deep sadness in Rooney showing that he is far too old for who he is, and what he must do. Rooney simply is a gangster who has lived too long
Newman is heartbreaking in his final moments where he shows Rooney reflect all he as done, and eventually accepting his fate that he knows he deserves. This is an appropriate swan song feature film performance from Newman which manages to bring a tragic human element to a character who perhaps could have been only a villain. Rooney is a bad man and Newman shows him as such but creates an honest insight into a bad man who understands exactly who he is.
Paul Newman portrays Irish gangster John Rooney. Rooney is the gangster who Sullivan works for, and it is his son Connor (Daniel Craig) who kills Michael family after Michael's son saw Connor kill a man. Newman portrays Rooney as a rather quiet old gangster who certainly is past his time of being truly deadly and dangerous man. Newman at the beginning of his performance has a genuine fatherly and grandfatherly quality.
Newman's performance is genuinely a warm old man to Sullivan and his sons. Newman does not portray this as a facade, but that Rooney does honestly care for them. There is of course an undercurrent of the gangster he is in his performance but it is not an overriding facet of Rooney. What Newman more thoroughly suggests is a once brutal gangster who with age has aged past the stage in which he can be as cold as he really needs to be in his position.
The two pivotal aspects of Newman's performance and character comes from his fatherly relationships in the film his first with John's actual son Connor. Newman interestingly portrays this as he does have a love for his son, but a love he actually wants to shake. Newman is very convincing in his portrayal of this strange conflict that John has over his son. He frankly wants to let him die as Connor is not only a screw up but a backstabber, but his natural fatherly love prevents it.
His other one is with his adopted son Michael. Rooney faces the fact that to keep his actual son alive, and his position he must kill his adopted son. Here is where Newman shows the lack of the killer edge with Rooney who frankly does not heart to go through with the murders. Newman portrays a deep sadness in Rooney showing that he is far too old for who he is, and what he must do. Rooney simply is a gangster who has lived too long
Newman is heartbreaking in his final moments where he shows Rooney reflect all he as done, and eventually accepting his fate that he knows he deserves. This is an appropriate swan song feature film performance from Newman which manages to bring a tragic human element to a character who perhaps could have been only a villain. Rooney is a bad man and Newman shows him as such but creates an honest insight into a bad man who understands exactly who he is.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Best Supporting Actor 2002
John C. Reilly in Chicago
Christopher Walken in Catch Me If You Can
Chris Cooper in Adaptation
Paul Newman in Road to Perdition
Ed Harris in The Hours
