Best Supporting Actor 1990: Bruce Davison in Longtime Companion

Bruce Davison received his only Oscar nomination so far for portraying David in Longtime Companion.

Longtime Companion shows how Aids changes the lives of a group of homosexual men. 

Bruce Davison plays David one of the men of the group. Although usually I write about an actor's performance through their portrayal of how their character progresses, but with this performance I think it is best to start with the part of his performance, and frankly the part of the film that is always mentioned when speaking about the film or this performance, which is the "let go" scene of course.

Davison's performance in that scene is amazing most certainly as he slowly cajoles his partner into finally passing away after a long illness. It is an unforgettable scene really because of how calm, and naturally Davison is in the scene. A very powerful scene, and Davison brings every ounce of the emotion from that scene that makes it no wonder why that scene is the most remembered scene in the film and of Davison's performance. 

After that Davison is also very good in the following scenes where he shows his grief afterward. Davison again does not only show his sadness over the death of his partner but he also shows also how much he meant to him at the same time. It is a very effective portrayal of the honest loss his character feels, and how he combines the positive feelings of happiness, as well as the feeling dread, and loss.

Before these scenes though I feel Davison stands out less for a long while in the film, in the group scenes he mostly is just part of the group, and really does not stick out in any particularly special fashion. The only other moments of real note are his scenes of quiet comfort of the others who are very worried, because Davison quiet reacts to them, and comforts them warmly. Davison performance is most certainly a good performance though, and when he becomes good he is very good, giving a warm, honest and moving performance.