Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2019: Sterling K. Brown in Waves

Sterling K. Brown did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ronald in Waves.

Waves follows a brother (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and sister (Taylor Russell) as their lives are connected and separated by tragedy.

Sterling K. Brown plays the father of the two siblings, as he continues to work after his breakout a few years ago in television's the People V. O.J. Simpson. Brown has a rather unique presence as an actor, that perhaps has helped him to stand out. This as he is this near zen chill in his general manner and voice, yet is capable of so much intensity in his work, without really stressing that voice much at all. That ability is well used here in his portrayal of the father Ronald who we get glimpses of in the first few scenes of the film as the domineering father. Brown is effective in this in creating the sense of his really just a glance of the eye that immediately creates the sense of the dominating presence of the man. This as we see a balance he almost immediately crafts within the father who loves his kids yet asks much of them. In his first few scenes Brown's performance carefully avoids accentuating either side of the man. This as he delivers this steely determination as he firmly requests his son pushes himself to his very best in order to succeed, while having natural moments of affection with these minor jovial moments where he is working out with his son or arm wrestling. Brown carefully shows that sort of that drive is even in these moments by carrying that intensity, but doesn't make it the only quality of the man, keeping from becoming a one note caricature of the overbearing father. Although our perspective on Ronald is limited, Brown grants a strong sense of both how his ways are a burden to his children, while not being an overtly bad father either, even when within those ways.

The film somewhat sidelines him, however Brown still makes a striking impression each time we see him, from his portrayal of a fierce disappointment as his son lashes out against all of those around him, to his immediate visceral portrayal of his heartbreak as his son commits an unforgivable act. Brown only has really a few moments after this point. Two relatively distant ones however still impeccably delivered by Brown. This as we see the strain of his relationship with his wife from the situation. Brown is great in the portrayal of the sheer disbelief and anger of the moment in his delivery. His face evoking a denial of any contribution to what had occurred and just the festering emotion from the brutal events. Brown's most substantial scene in the second half though, which is quite honestly is the best scene of the film. Brown is absolutely incredible in the scene that he shares with Russell. This as both performers are allowed to just able to have the moment to realize the sheer messy complexity of the situation. Brown is heartbreaking in his more subdued portrayal, as his expression bears both the heartbreak of his loss but also the shame of his own input in the situation. His portrayal just brimming of a man ready to breakdown, but just barely keeping together, as Brown's eyes just barely hold back the tears. This in creating the sense of strain in it, as man who knows if he lets one go it will be difficult to hold them back. Brown is amazing in the way in the scene he shows the certain awkwardness of trying to reach out to his daughter with this deep seeded anguish within it all. The little bit of affection we still sense in his words as he asks if she is alright, is revealed with such tender honesty of man truly struggling to find the right way to speak in the moment. Brown has the most beautiful way in the scene of stressing that anguish, but then turning it around to such a palatable sense of love, in just a glance towards Russell in the scene. He's as good in his reactions to hearing Russell's words though, that just in that say so much. This as he reflects the sense of the sort of betrayal of the act, but with still that shame of his own mistakes as related to it. Brown naturally finds the, in the end inspirational, words in his softer way of speaking, filled with love as he finally comforts her. That is a downright incredible scene, I do wish Shults had the restraint to allow more scenes to play out as this one does, as Brown and Russell do so much in the moment with such heartbreaking truth revealed in the situation. Brown 's overall screentime is limited, however he makes a striking impact in his portrait of a father both trying to find a way to cope while also wrestling with his own guilt.