It’s an Oscar complaint as unfailingly annual as telecast overlength and foreign-language category blunders: with the season so geared towards the glut of prestige titles released in the year’s final quarter, standout contenders from the mist-shrouded months of spring and the previous winter have to fight that much harder to be heard – that is, if anyone is listening at all.
Year after year, numerous early-seen gems slip through the cracks as critics and voters alike rush to crown never, shinier attractions. With that in mind, welcome to First-Half FYC: a new weekly feature at InContention, wherein I’ll shine a light on the worthiest Oscar possibilities (or impossibilities) from the first six months of the 2010 release calendar.
Each week, a different major category will be covered with alternative ballot of five potential nominees – some serious, others playful, some widely celebrated, others largely buried. All, however, are films or individuals that would breathe some fresh air into their respective races.
We’ll start with Best Supporting Actress, a field that turned up more January-to-June riches than I was expecting when I began combing through the archives; leaving out Dale Dickey, for example, was tough, but the newly Spirit-nominated “Winter’s Bone” star has the consolation of being a little higher on the Academy radar than any of the five ladies (young ladies, in some cases) listed below.
Alice de Lencquesaing, “Father of My Children”
One of a select, but happily growing, club of teen actresses in 2010 who proved that it’s possible to project intelligence and curiosity on screen without sliding into smarmy preciousness, de Lencquesaing’s gawky shoulders carry the burden of the tragedy in Mia Hansen-Løve’s elegiac family drama, and does so with quiet authority. Playing opposite (and eventually taking the lead from) her real-life father lends the performance a complex petal arrangement emotions petals, but it’s no stunt either: de Lencquesaing independently demonstrated her thespian credentials two years ago in “Summer Hours.”
Rebecca Griffiths, “Fish Tank”
“I like you, I’ll kill you last,” mutters angel-faced pre-adolescent Tyler to her mom’s latest boyfriend early on in Andrea Arnold’s feverish study of working-class British youth – and as played by 12 year-old first-timer Griffiths, this potentially cute line carries a genuinely disconcerting edge of threat. Katie Jarvis, the film’s (then) 17 year-old lead, has been justly celebrated by critics, but as her wary, watchful and wickedly dry little sister, Griffiths deserves her own share of plaudits; never self-aware but attuned to the unspoken dramatic stakes of her every scene, she demands to be used again.
Amanda Peet, “Please Give”
Nicole Holofcener’s latest femme-skewed, genially neurotic social comedy features a typically attentive ensemble, of which any member could feasibly be a different critic’s favorite. (Clearly, the Indie Spirit voters agree, and gave it their Robert Altman Award.) So I’m as surprised as anyone that mine turned out to be Peet, a long-proficient actress who has never previously ignited as she does here, playing the sourly pragmatic and intimidatingly perma-bronzed beautician sister of Rebecca Hall’s meek do-gooder. Peet revels in the character’s ghastliness, seizing control of conversations with entitled aplomb, but smartly pulls back from all-out gorgon territory, revealing a lifetime of bruised disappointment beneath the bitchiness.
Taylor Swift, “Valentine’s Day”
No, wait, come back! Sure, I found Garry Marshall’s mercilessly subdivided ensemble romcom as witless and teeth-grittingly insincere as pretty much every other critic on record, but amid the dim constellation of stars grim-facedly collecting their paychecks, there’s a flash of unaffected joy and warmth in the unlikely shape of country superstar Swift. Tapping into the flush of first love with the same mellow cheeriness of her music, Swift’s easy screen presence is infectious enough even to render her marionette scene partner Taylor Lautner fleetingly flesh-and-blood; that may not be enough for an Oscar nod, but she deserves some kind of medal for grace under fire.
Olivia Williams, “The Ghost Writer”
Roman Polanski’s tidily cool thriller has walked a curious boundary between the underestimated and the overpraised all year long, but while the film’s consistent reappearance in the best-of-year discussion has me scratching my head, even more puzzling is the failure of its most valuable contributor, the reliably precise Williams, to so much as enter the conversation. Relishing the chance to play a more reptilian character than she is usually given – those Cherie Blair comparisons don’t come out of thin air – she’s acrid and affecting in equal measure, and the actor working closest to Polanski’s mode of unfussed chilliness.
With a special mention for Rebecca Hall’s superb work in “Red Riding: 1974,” excluded only because her vehicle’s TV roots make her Oscar-ineligible.
Agree? Disagree? Which supporting actress possibilities from early in the year would you like to see enter (or re-enter) the conversation? Chime in with your suggestions, or simply your thoughts on the new feature, in the comments.
[Photos: Sony Pictures Classics, IFC Films, New Line Cinema and Summit Entertainment]
Comments
101 responses to “FIRST-HALF FYC: Best Supporting Actress”
i’m so happy the cast of PLEASE GIVE is getting attention because they do deserve it
i also was fascinated by AMANDA PEET’s performance, i thought she shine the brightest in a movie filled with very good performances and the fact that her character is unlikable works better for her
Wow. I thought Swift gave easily the worst performance in the shitshow that was “Valentine’s Day.” Sure, she was trying harder than most of the sleepwalking cast, but that didn’t make it any less painful to watch.
Personally, I’d nominate half of the cast of Allen’s stranger. And most anyone who’d actually seeen the movie will agree. In terms of supporting females, I’d single out Lucy Punch.
Chloe Moretz in “Kick-Ass”. There. I said it.
Maxim: Remember, we’re talking first-half releases. And I’ve “actually seen” You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger and wouldn’t nominate anybody from it, though I did like Punch.
YES! I adored Peet in PLEASE GIVE – easily the most surprisingly and entertaining performance. Your “seizing control of conversations with entitled aplomb, but smartly pulls back from all-out gorgon territory, revealing a lifetime of bruised disappointment beneath the bitchiness” sums it up quite nicely. She actually broke my heart while being so bitchy and that’s a true gift!
A fun read! So glad you started this series.
My pet cause in Please Give is the unreservedly caustic but uncartoonish grandmother played by Ann Guilbert. Also thought Elina Löwensohn was fantastically jealous, watchful, high-strung, and quiet in Lourdes. And to paraphrase a classic, no one puts Dickey in a corner.
Loved Amanda Peet in Please Give, as well.
Olivia Williams, that goes without saying.
And my own personal vote would be for Vanessa Redgrave in Letters to Juliet …
I thought she oozed emotion, feeling, sensitivity, grace, and quiet insight into her character.
Totally overlooked the first-half bit. Sorry. I jumped straight to the actor’s breakdown.
Still, suprised about the cool reaction. Not even Anthony Hopkins?
For my money the man gave the year’s single best performance.
FANTASTIC SERIES IDEA, btw! I can’t wait to read more!
I can’t support this new series of articles. TAYLOR SWIFT!? Even if you’re joking (which you appear to be) some things shouldn’t be joked about.
2/12/10 Never Forget
Nice idea for a column. I hope that some Academy members will take a look. (At my suggestions, that is :p)
FYC:
Mia Wasikowska in The Kids…
Rebecca Hall in Please Give (and no other nods for that smart-ass, poor excuse for a movie…please)
And maybe Alba Rohrwacher in I Am Love. Not sure about that, though.
Helena Bonham Carter in Alice in Wonderland
Kerry Washington in Mother and Child
Olivia Williams sets the screen ablaze.
Oh, I don’t remember when The Kids.. and I Am Love were released in the US so, sorry if they weren’t on the topic of first-half releases.
I’d never joke about something as serious as Taylor Swift.
This is definitely a category that “Please Give” shines in. Peet is an excellent choice, but can’t all five slots be taken up by that movie’s cast members? (Unless Keener is considered lead.)
Well, never mind. My vote goes to Mila Kunis, for… “The Book of Eli”. Her performance perfectly captures the innocence and redemption that drives the second half of that film.
Yes, Amanda Peet, while not an actress I liked in the least up until this performance, was excellent in PG.
1. Chloe Moretz (KickAss)
How many 12-year-olds could pull that off? OK, it ain’t quite as high up there as THE SIXTH SENSE, but given that she has two great perofrmances this year, she ought to get in for something.
2. Michelle Williams (Shutter Island)
Her indie cred be rising, but she also got a brief but plum role in this blockbuster. The final scene was a knockout, all the more impressive because she seemed to be employing an acting style that would fit in in a 50s melodrama but wouldn;t today, yet it was incredibly powerful.
3. Olivia Williams (The Ghost Writer)
4. I like the Taylor Swift vote, so OK
5. Emily Mortimer (Harry Brown)
“How many 12-year-olds could pull that off?”
Rebecca Griffiths?
Marisa Tomei in Cyrus should be a serious contender.
I found Taylor strained and grating, even more so than her fellow castmates, in a movie I’m shocked was actually THAT bad.
More importantly, Guy: what do you think of Speak Now and how it compares to the (I’m only half kidding) masterpiece that is Fearless?
Guy, have the rules changed regarding television broadcasts of films before their LA/NY release? I thought “Scenes from a Marriage” ended all that. And wasn’t “Enchanted April” a made for BBC television film before JoanPlowright received her Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1993?
Too bad for everyone involved with “Red Riding Trilogy,” if that is the case. I thought Andrew Garfield gave his best performance there, but will probably get nominated for his performance in “The Social Network.” Also thought Rebecca Hall and Paddy Considine gave award worthy performances.
i have to agree with MAXIM
LUCY PUNCH was the only thing that barely interesed me in ALLEN’s YWMATDS
I agree that Tomei should be a serious contender, even for simply making that hateful little film watchable.
A performance which a lot of people seemed not to like, which I loved was Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Scott Pilgrim. She made the character more complex than it is on the page, and was restrained without being stilted. And her line-readings were ace. I think it does just eke out into the second half of the year, unfortunately.
Olivia Williams and Amanda Peet both have my vote.
I also think–as brief as her screne presence was–that Norma Aleandro as a gabby socialite in The City of Your Final Destination brought some life to that otherwise frozen film. And while I did not care for Cyrus, Marisa Tomei carries it through its cliches.
Guy, I don’t know if I want to cry or laugh at you loudly ? You are supporting Taylor Swift ! Are you serious ?? If this lady has a long acting career, after that debacle, I will lose my mind. I still don’t understand why she has a successful music career- the lady can’t sing a lick.
Yes, Tomei has proven herself repeatedly as a top notch supporting actress. It is sad she will never have a leading lady type of career.
My first half of the year supporting actress ballot would look like this:
5. Dakota Fanning – The Runaways
4. Chloe Moretz – Kick-Ass
3. Olivia Williams – The Ghost Writer
2. Michelle Williams – Shutter Island
1. Mia Wasikowska – The Kids Are All Right
Unfortunately Mia Wasikowska will probably only get noticed when/if TKAAR wins something for the ensemble cast.
You’ve got to be kidding about Taylor Swift in Valentine’s Day. The only good thing about that terrible movie was Roberts, Cooper and sorta Hathaway. Everyone else was terrible. That is undeniably the most WTF FYC of all time.
Complete agreement on OLivia Williams. She deserves the OScar.
But WTF is with Taylor Swift? I couldn’t disagree more. It was terrible, OBVIOUS bad acting….but….maybe….was that what was supposed to happen?
Chloe Moretz’s performances this year has been such a delightful surprise. It is unnatural and scary for a youngester to have that much range, versatility, and have an unbelievable screen presence. Seriously, this young girl impressed me more than any actress this year ( young, old , or in between) – including Natalie Portman. I truly hope this prodigal child wins many critics’ awards this year. Unfortunately, I don’t see her receiving any Oscar nomination.
Missy, I agree with you about “Roberts, Cooper and Hathaway ( she was the only one that was decently funny and charming) ” being the only good thing about the abysmal disaster.
I was too ashamed to Swift’s performance as I am seeing her name right on this list. Seriously? You’ve started a great idea on creating this series with no credibility, man. However, I know I will return…
Wow! So many people have seen Valentine’s Day!
Why? ;)
Taylor Swift? hahahahahahahaha Good joke!
She’s a joke!
Michelle Williams was great in Shutter Island!
Guy: Wait, are you saying you like Taylor Swift’s music? I didn’t see Valentine’s Day so I can’t commit on her performance, but her music is terrible. As for who I would put on the list, I agree with the Chloe Moretz and Michelle Williams crowd. Also, even though it came out in August, I would really like to see some buzz for Ellen Wong in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (one of my favorite supporting performances of the year).
I liked Peet in Please Give, but was personally more impressed by the every so lovely Rebecca Hall.
Chloe Grace Moretz, ‘Kick-Ass’
Olivia Williams, ‘The Ghost Writer’
Ellen Wong, ‘Scott Pilgrim VS The World’
Patricia Clarkson, ‘Shutter Island’
Mia Wasikowska- ‘The Kids Are All Right’
I would replace Wasikowska with either Dakota Fanning or Kristen Stewart from ‘The Runaways’, but if Bening and Moore are both lead for ‘TKAAR’, then so are they.
I’ll take honesty over credibility any day.
And yes, I really like Taylor Swift’s music. Nobody’s writing purer, more melodic Top 40 pop right now.
Absolutely loved Olivia Williams, really brilliant – imo her and Pierce Brosnan should both be getting oscar noms.
I loved every second of Chloe Moretz in Kick-Ass, a film I didn’t really like. Hopefully she might get the Saturn Award or something.
the alien child in Splice. even though the film itself became absurd.
and Michelle Williams in Shutter Island.
“Yes, Tomei has proven herself repeatedly as a top notch supporting actress. It is sad she will never have a leading lady type of career.”
Her performance in The Perez Family (1995) is one lead actress performance that always gets neglected in the conversation of great lead actress performances from that year.
Marisa Tomei – Cyrus (Fox is responsible for 2 of her 3 nominations) no reason why they should fail to gain Academy attention for her again.
Michelle Williams – Shutter Island (If life is fair she’ll become a double nominee for Blue Valentine BA and Shutter Island BSA).
Amanda Peet was great in “Please Give,” but Ann Guilbert deserves some love as well. She was brilliant. And Olivia Williams was the best thing about “The Ghost Writer”.
Taylor Swift! HA, HA, HA!!! That was funny! For a second there I thought you were serious!!! HA, HA, HA!!!!!
OLIVIA WILLIAMS gave, without a doubt, the best Supporting Actress performance of any film I have seen all year.
She is dynamite, scary, heartbreaking, manipulative, touching – so many layers in one greatly written part. She has been underrated her entire career. This should have been her year (and performance) to shine. At least BAFTA won’t forget her, but she should be a lock for Support Actress at the Oscars by now…
A bunch of the reviews actually picked out Swift as the best of a rotten bunch for Valentine’s Day. I remember, because I <3 her.
Olivia Williams, yes.
Right now I'd go for Carter, Richardson, and Ronan.
My 5 FYC Nominees from the first half of 2010:
1. Olivia Williams (The Ghost Writer) – my top supporting performance of the year
2. Jessica Alba (The Killer Inside Me) – prior to this movie, I had thought she was a truly terrible actress. Not sure precisely if it’s the role, the direction or the character but something about her work really clicked for me.
3. Michelle Williams (Shutter Island) – Almost no screen time, but her final moments have stuck with me all year
4. Alison Barry (Ondine) – The most underrated movie of the year also has 3 stellar performances. With respect to Chloe Moretz’s fine work, Barry has given the best supporting performance by a minor this year.
5. Greta Gerwig (Greenberg) – Generally don’t care much for Baumbach’s style, by Gerwig brought every one of her scenes to life.
A few others I particularly enjoyed: Chloe Moretz (Kick-Ass), Amanda Seyfried (Chloe), Ary Graynor (Holy Rollers). Rebecca Hall (Red Riding: 1974) as well, if she were eligible.
For the 2nd half of 2010 I’d mention: Mia Wasikowski (The Kids Are All Right), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Marion Cotillard (Inception), Rebecca Hall and Blake Lively (The Town), Carey Mulligan (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Keira Knightley (Never Let Me Go) and Rooney Mara (The Social Network)
Emma Watson….yes yes I really think so…..
forgot it was the first half…..im dumb lol
If Taylor Swift is an FYC contender, Miley Cyrus should be Oscar bound for her emotional and stirring work in “The Last Song.”