Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2021: Results

10. Andre Holland in Passing - Holland offers the right blunt quality that contrasts the more guarded performances of his co-stars.

Best Scene: Talking about a lynching.

9. David Strathairn in Nightmare Alley - Strathairn gives a brief but moving portrayal of a man with the slight spark of the former spiritualist, but now just a lost soul. 

Best Scene: A warning to Stan.

8. Tony Leung Chiu Wai in Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings - Though his film does not quite use him to his full potential, Leung brings so much depth and presence to what could've been a wholly stock villain.

Best Scene: The importance of names.

7. Jeffrey Wright in The French Dispatch - Wright gives a literal wonderful delivery of a story, but also gives a moving portrayal of the emotional woes behind the writer's work.

Best Scene: A new flavor.

6. Al Pacino in House of Gucci - Pacino once again delivers here bringing an endearing energy as the representation of the Gucci family empire, then a tragic power as the man sees that empire slip away.

Best Scene: Signing the company away.

5. Ben Affleck in The Last Duel - Affleck brings the right change of pace, that still fits within his film's tone, as the one man who seems to find joy in a mostly miserable world.

Best Scene: Discussing the rape charge.

4. Anders Danielsen Lie in The Worst Person in the World - The power of Lie's work slowly reveals itself in his portrait of a man defined by uncertainty who only finds certainty when it is too late.

Best Scene: Final scene.

3. Masaki Okada in Drive, My Car -  Okada's work crafts a proper enigma which slowly reveals itself in both nefarious and strangely poignant ways.

Best Scene: Backseat revelations.

2. Mike Faist in West Side Story - Faist puts his all into his performance that is exceptionally compelling and creates a deeply moving portrait of a man defined by hate.

Best Scene: The rumble.

1. Bradley Cooper in Licorice Pizza - Good predictions Aidan and 8000's. Although working with the least amount of screentime, no other performance in this category left a greater visceral impact on me than this one. I simply laughed every moment Cooper was on screen through every insane variation he brought in his portrayal of certifiable lunatic Jon Peters, and Cooper for me delivered one of the very best purely comic turns in some time. I loved every second of this turn, and even though there's only so many seconds he has total, I never thought there was anything lacking for it. If I were not to give him the win here it would be lying to myself, because my favorite scene in my favorite film of the year is his sequence in Licorice Pizza, a sequence built upon the glorious madness of his performance. Yes he essentially only has one scene, but the same is true for the challenge, of only having one scene to be as memorable as Cooper is here. Although this is a year with many worthy candidates, despite what the academy would lead you to believe, and I certainly easily see the logic in choosing really anyone in my top five, my choice goes to Cooper without reservation for his work of 24karat comedic gold.

Best Scene: Peters returns.

Overall:

1. Bradley Cooper in Licorice Pizza
2. Mike Faist in West Side Story
3. Kodi Smit-McPhee in The Power of the Dog
4. Masaki Okada in Drive, My Car
5. Anders Danielsen Lie in The Worst Person in the World
6. Ben Affleck in The Last Duel - 5
7. Alex Hassell in The Tragedy of Macbeth
8. Ciaran Hinds in Belfast
9. David Alvarez in West Side Story
10. Al Pacino in House of Gucci
11. Jeffrey Wright in The French Dispatch
12. Tony Leung Chiu Wai in Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings
13. David Strathairn in Nightmare Alley
14. Anthony LaPaglia in Nitram
15. Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Cyrano
16. Willem Dafoe in Nightmare Alley 
17. Richard Jenkins in Nightmare Alley
18. Andre Holland in Passing  - 4.5
19. Sean Penn in Licorice Pizza
20. Adrien Brody in The French Dispatch
21. Willem Dafoe in Spider-Man: No Way Home
    
22. Sean Harris in The Green Knight 
    
23. Jason Momoa in Dune
    
24. Tom Waits in Licorice Pizza 
25. Barry Keoghan in The Green Knight 
26. Benicio Del Toro in The French Dispatch  
27. Corey Hawkins in The Tragedy of Macbeth
    
28. John Cena in The Suicide Squad
29. Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man: No Way Home
30. Toby Huss in Copshop
    
31. Javier Bardem in Dune
    
32. Simon Helberg in Annette
    
33. Troy Kotsur in CODA
34. Terence Stamp in Last Night in Soho
35. Timothy Spall in Spencer 
36. LaKeith Stanfield in The Harder They Fall
37. Richard Ayoade in The Souvenir Part II
    
38. Jamie Dornan in Belfast
39. Colman Domingo in Zola
    
40. Jon Bernthal in King Richard
    
41. Merab Ninidze in The Courier  
42. Oscar Isaac in Dune
43. Issey Ogata in Onoda: 10,000 Nights in the Jungle
    
44. David Harbour in Black Widow  
45. Robin De Jesus in Tick Tick...Boom
46. Fred Melamed in Shiva Baby 
47. Chaske Spencer in Wild Indian
    
48. Jason Flemyng in Boiling Point 
49. Mohsen Tanabandeh in A Hero
    
50. Richard Jenkins in The Humans 
51. Danny McBride in The Mitchells Vs. The Machines
    
52. Herbert Nodrum in The Worst Person in the World - 4
    
53. Stellan Skarsgard in Dune
    
54. Ralph Ineson in The Green Knight
55. David Knell in Pig
56. Taigo Nakano in 10,000 Nights in the Jungle
    
57. Joseph Cross in Licorice Pizza 
58. Ali Ranjibari in A Hero
    
59. Bill Murray in The French Dispatch
    
60. Corey Hawkins in In the Heights 
61. Joel Kinnaman in The Suicide Squad 
62. Brendan Gleeson in The Tragedy of Macbeth 
63. Alireza Jahandideh in A Hero
    
64. Vondie Curtis-Hall in The Night House
    
65. Benny Safdie in Licorice Pizza
    
66. Jared Leto in House of Gucci 
67. Timothee Chalamet in The French Dispatch
    
68. Jeremy Irons in House of Gucci
    
69. Jesse Plemons in The Power of the Dog
70. Steven Yeun in The Humans
    
71. Adam Arkin in Pig 
72. Josh Brolin in Dune
73. Josh Andrés Rivera in West Side Story
74. Lucian-River Chauhan in Encounter
    
75. Joel Edgerton in The Green Knight
76. Ben Affleck in The Tender Bar
    
77. Kiyohiko Shibukawa in Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
    
78. Lil Rel Howery in Judas and the Black Messiah 
79. Sean Harris in Spencer
    
80. Yousseff Kerkour in House of Gucci
81. Rajkummar Rao in The White Tiger
82. Colman Domingo in Candyman
    
83. David Dastmalchian in The Suicide Squad 
84. David Harbour in No Sudden Move
    
85. Peter Dinklage in I Care A Lot
86. Talid Ariss in After Love
    
87. Owen Wilson in The French Dispatch
    
88. Alex Lawther in The Last Duel
    
89. Peter Capaldi in The Suicide Squad 
90. Stephen Park in The French Dispatch
91. Brian Tyree Henry in Eternals
    
92. John Leguizamo in Encanto
    
93. Toni Servillo in The Hand of God
    
94. Ben Kingsley in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
95. Tobey Maguire in Spider-man: No Way Home
    
96. Ray Chase in Malignant
97. Fred Armisen in The Mitchells vs. The Machines
98. Beck Bennett in The Mitchells vs. The Machines
    
99. Babs Olusanmkun in Dune
100. Bertie Carvel in The Tragedy of Macbeth
     
101. Ray Liotta in The Many Saints of Newark
102. Mel Gibson in Boss Level
     
103. Skyler Gisondo in Licorice Pizza
     
104. Hiroyuki Sanada in Mortal Kombat
105. Paul Anderson in Nightmare Alley 
106. Holt McCallany in Wrath of Man
     
107. Jack Huston in House of Gucci 
108. Mahesh Manjrekar in The White Tiger
109. Michael Gandolfini in The Many Saints of Newark
     
110. Jimmi Smits in In the Heights 
111. Izaac Wang in Raya and the Last Dragon
     
112. Stephen Henderson in Dune
113. Christopher Lloyd in Nobody
114. Sylvester Stallone in The Suicide Squad
115. Jon Favreau in Spider-man: No Way Home 
116. Ethan Darbone in Red Rocket
     
117. Bill Camp in Passing
     
118. Jesse Plemons in Judas and the Black Messiah  
119. Trace Adkins in Old Henry
120. Barry Keoghan in Eternals
     
121. Leslie Odom Jr. in The Many Saints of Newark
     
122. Danny Deferrari in Shiva Baby
     
123. David Dastmalchian in Dune
124. Alfred Molina in Spider-man No Way Home
     
125. Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
126. Scoot McNairy in C'mon C'mon
     
127. Gregory Diaz IV in In the Heights 
128. Benedict Cumberbatch in Spider-man No Way Home 
129. Holt McCallany in Nightmare Alley 
130. Enrico Natale in The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain 
131. Farrokh Nourbakht in A Hero
     
132. Stephen Root in The Tragedy of Macbeth 
133. Stephen Dorff in Old Henry 
134. Delroy Lindo in The Harder They Fall 
135. Aditya Geddada in Encounter
136. Woody Harrelson in Venom Let There Be Carnage
137. Paddy Considine in Wolf
     
138. Benedict Wong in Raya and the Last Dragon
     
139. Ed Harris in The Lost Daughter - 3.5
140. Christopher Lloyd in The Tender Bar
     
141. Harry Melling in The Tragedy of Macbeth
     
142. Jim Beaver in Nightmare Alley
     
143. Joe Taslim in Mortal Kombat 
144. Tony Goldwyn in King Richard 
145. Tim Blake Nelson in Nightmare Alley
     
146. Taika Waititi in The Suicide Squad
     
147. Jon Bernthal in Those Who Wish Me Dead
148. Ron Perlman in Nightmare Alley
     
149. John Amos in Coming 2 America 
150. Chris Messina in I Care a Lot
151. Jeffrey Wright in No Time to Die
152. J.K. Simmons in Being the Ricardos 
153. Brian d'Arcy James in West Side Story
154. Don Lee in Eternals
     
155. Mathieu Almaric in The French Dispatch
     
156. Michael Smiley in Censor
     
157. Paul Walter Hauser in Cruella
158. Jesse Plemons in Jungle Cruise
159. Corey Stoll in West Side Story
     
160. Nathaniel Parker in the Last Duel
161. Ray Panthaki in Boiling Point
     
162. Macon Blair in I Care a Lot 
163. Andrew Garfield in The Eyes of Tammy Faye 
164. Matthias Schweighöfer in Army of the Dead
165. Jamie Foxx in No Way Home
     
166. Zeljko Ivanek in The Last Duel
     
167. James Earl Jones in Coming 2 America
168. Joel Fry in Cruella 
169. Ethan Hawke in The Guilty 
170. Bradley Whitford in Tick Tick...Boom
     
171. Ralph Fiennes in No Time to Die
     
172. Flula Borg in The Suicide Squad
     
173. Algee Smith in Judas and the Black Messiah 
174. Mark Strong in Cruella 
175. Brendan Fraser in No Sudden Move
     
176. Joshua Henry in Tick Tick...Boom 
177. Joe Alwyn in The Souvenir Part II
     
178. Michael Rooker in The Suicide Squad
179. Matt Smith in Last Night in Soho
     
180. Garret Dillahunt in Army of the Dead  
     
181. Jon Bernthal in The Many Saints of Newark
182. Ben Whishaw in No Time to Die
183. Matt Damon in No Sudden Move 
184. Joe Keery in Free Guy 
185. Matthew Goode in The Duke
     
186. Lambert Wilson in Benedetta
     
187. Vondie Curtis-Hall in Blue Bayou 
188. Eric Andre in The Mitchells vs. The Machines
     
189. Bill Murray in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
190. Ernie Hudson in Ghostbusters: Afterlife 
191. Rob Morgan in Don't Look Up
192. Harris Dickinson in The Souvenir Part II
     
193. Chang Chen in Dune
194. Tony Hale in Being the Ricardos 
     
195. J.K. Simmons in Spider-man No Way Home
196. John Krasinski in A Quiet Place Part II
     
197. Willem Dafoe in The Card Counter
     
198. Jacob Batalon in Spider-man No Way Home  
199. Yahya Abdul-Manteen II in The Matrix Resurrections
200. Idris Elba in The Harder They Fall
201. Djimon Hounsou in A Quiet Place Part II 
202. Josh Hartnett in Wrath of Man
     
203. Bashir Salahuddin in Cyrano
204. Jamie Dornan in Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar
205. Anders Danielsen Lie in Bergman Island
     
206. Max von Sydow in Echoes of the Past
207. Israel Elejalde in Parallel Mother
     
208. Jeffrey Donovan in Wrath of Man
     
209. Dave Bautista in Dune 
     
210. Fionn Whitehead in The Duke
211. Eddie Marsan in Wrath of Man
212. Mike Rianda in The Mitchells vs. The Machines
     
213. Forrest Whitaker in Respect - 3  
214. Ben Mendelsohn in Cyrano
     
215. Channing Tatum in Free Guy
     
216. Ray Liotta in No Sudden Move
     
217. Scott Haze in Old Henry
218. Casey Affleck in The World to Come
     
219. Scott Eastwood in Wrath of Man
     
220. Kit Harington in Eternals 
221. Tyler Perry in Don't Look Up
222. Peter Sarsgaard in The Lost Daughter
223. Wyatt Russell in The Woman in the Window
     
224. Kyle Chandler in Godzilla vs. Kong 
225. Cliff Curtis in Reminiscence 
226. Stephen Graham in Venom Let There Be Carnage
     
227. Wesley Snipes in Coming 2 America
     
228. Rob Morgan in The United States vs. Billie Holiday 
229. Benedict Cumberbatch in The Mauritanian 
230. Brian Tyree Henry in Godzilla vs. Kong
231. Aleksei Serebryakov in Nobody
232. Paul Rudd in Ghostbusters: Afterlife 
233. Haris Patel in Eternals
     
234. Nicholas Hoult in Those Who Wish Me Dead
235. Lil Rel Howery in Free Guy
236. Martin Sheen in Judas and the Black Messiah 
237. Florian Munteanu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings 
238. Billy Magnussen in No Time To Die
     
239. Arsenio Hall in Coming 2 America 
240. Demian Bichir in Godzilla vs. Kong 
241. Ludi Lin in Mortal Kombat
242. Logan Kim in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
243. Thomas Haden Church in Spider-man: No Way Home
     
244. Michael Gandolfini in Cherry  
245. Daniel Durant in CODA 
246. Billy Magnussen in The Many Saints of Newark
     
247. Omari Hardwick in Army of the Dead
248. Ferdia Walsh-Peelo in CODA
249. Will Patton in Halloween Kills
     
250. Dwight Yoakam in Cry Macho
251. Timothee Chalamet in Don't Look Up
     
252. Michael Ajao in Last Night in Soho
253. Steve O'Connell in The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
254. Finn Wolfhard in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
255. Anthony Michael Hall in Halloween Kills
     
256. Julian Dennison in Godzilla vs. Kong 
257. Gary Oldman in The Woman in the Window
     
258. Jonah Hill in Don't Look Up - 2.5
259. Danny Pino in Dear Evan Hansen
     
260. Eduardo Minett in Cry Macho
     
261. RZA in Nobody
262. Neil Patrick Harris in The Matrix Resurrections
     
263. Josh Lawson in Mortal Kombat
     
264. Ben Chaplin in The Dig 
     
265. Tracy Morgan in Coming 2 America
     
266. Johnny Flynn in The Dig
     
267. Zachary Levi in The Mauritanian
268. Himesh Patel in Don't Look Up
     
269. Christoph Waltz in No Time to Die 
270. Christopher Abbott in The World to Come
     
271. Cedric Joe in Space Jam: A New Legacy
     
272. Raul Castillo in Army of the Dead 
273. Jonathan Groff in The Matrix Resurrections
     
274. Peter Sarsgaard in The Guilty
     
275. Alexander Skarsgard in Godzilla vs. Kong 
276. Max Huang in Mortal Kombat
277. Kumail Nanjiani in Eternals
     
278. Finn Little in Those Who Wish Me Dead
279. George Young in Malignant
     
280. Tadanobu Asano in Mortal Kombat
281. John Michael Higgins in Licorice Pizza
     
282. Jake Lacy in Being the Ricardos
     
283. Colton Ryan in Dear Evan Hansen
     
284. Leslie Odom Jr. in Music  
285. Emory Cohen in Blue Bayou
286. Charlie Heaton in The Souvenir Part II
     
287. Don Cheadle in Space Jam: A New Legacy 
288. Mark O'Brien in Blue Bayou
     
289. Theo Rossi in Army of the Dead - 2
290. Jared Leto in The Little Things
291. Michael McDonald in Halloween Kills
     
292. Scott MacArthur in Halloween Kills
     
293. Chin Han in Mortal Kombat
     
294. Jack Reynor in Cherry 
295. Douglas Booth in My Salinger Year
     
296. Ray Winstone in Black Widow 
297. Tye Sheridan in The Card Counter
     
298. Jack Whitehall in The Jungle Cruise
299. Eugenio Derbez in CODA
     
300. John McCrea in Cruella
301. Ben Marten in The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
302. Fred Hechinger in The Woman in the Window
     
303. Mark Rylance in Don't Look Up - 1.5
     
304. Daniel Wu in Reminiscence  
305. Taika Waititi in Free Guy
     
306. Max Martini in The Tender Bar
     
307. Garrett Hedlund in The United States vs. Billie Holiday 
308. John Magaro in The Many Saints of Newark
     
309. Ben Schwartz in Music - 1 
310. Rami Malek in No Time to Die - Wiseau
311. David Dencik in No Time to Die - 0
     

Next: 2021 Alternate Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2021: Willem Dafoe & David Strathairn in Nightmare Alley

Willem Dafoe did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Clement "Clem" Hoatley and David Strathairn did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Pete Krumbein in Nightmare Alley. 

Willem Dafoe and David Strathairn play two key roles in this version of Nightmare Alley, essentially playing two very different mentors to Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) after he finds himself in the employ of the traveling, and somewhat shady, circus. The role of the circus owner Clem Hoatley is perhaps the most expanded character from the 1947 version as Clem was little more than a background bit part in that version. In this version though we get the great Willem Dafoe in the role, so as much as Dafoe likely would've still made an impression if the role was as limited as it is in the 47 version, we thankfully get far more of Clem. He invites us essentially into the film's lurid world as we see him as the barker for the geek exhibit, the man who bites the heads off chickens, and Dafoe immediately makes a striking impression. His just slightly southern fried accent where he accentuates a dark showmanship as he invites all to witness this "freak of nature". Dafoe putting his all into the presentation of the show, though with this accentuates in his speech that supports it as something Clem does on a regular basis. There is something important to note in the depth Dafoe does bring as he looks upon the geek show and there is just the faintest bit of shame that suggests some crime in the act, albeit briefly. Clem's focus though quickly shifts on Stan walking out on the show without paying, which Clem is quick to note when paying Stan less for helping move the circus during a storm. Dafoe bringing that sinister smile of his in the only way he can, a smile that seems to say "I caught you" but also his eyes seem to suggest this camaraderie as men who don't mind stepping out of the confines of the law, at least just a bit.  

Clem ends up becoming one of Stan's mentors on how to get ahead in life, and the lessons from Clem aren't exactly the most pleasant. Quite evident from an early task where he has Stan help capture the escaped geek whom Clem typically keeps locked away in a cage. What is wonderful about Dafoe's performance here, and is pure Dafoe in a way, is how simultaneous he is at being both completely sinister and strangely warm. Again this is Dafoe just flexing his dramatic muscles and his one of a kind presence with that smile of his that can say "I love you" and "I want to murder you" in the exact same smile. Dafoe plays around with the idea as Clem hires on Stan on, the way he offers him a bed for the night is with such encouragement in his voice and seemingly a friendly concern, against that however is as he notes that people don't care what someone has done or where they're from in the circus. The darkness that comes across Clem's face in a moment is brilliant work from Dafoe and creates such a strong sense that while Clem might be capable of friendliness, he's not what one should ever confuse as a good man. Dafoe brings such vibrancy to his work as he shows Stan around his formaldehyde collection of deformed fetuses. Dafoe switch to the barker speech is again perfect as the man who has trained himself to this technique, his physical manner is especially great though. This as Dafoe is gleaming with this pride and showmanship as he shows it to Stan, who as much as he's very practically showing him the ropes, Clem loves it. Again though even when Stan negatively comments on drinking, Dafoe quick switch to menace is fantastic acting. He makes it so natural, while also being wholly chilling in perhaps more so alluding to the true nature of the man. The purest form of this combination is as Clem has Stan dispose of the dying old geek and he regales Stan with the "way" on how to procure a geek. Dafoe's delivery of it begins with a casual functional description of it, as a kind of how to guide by basically drugging a soul. Dafoe speaks with this glowing sort of enjoyment for the method as a man who loves his craft. He slowly speaks towards a more terrifying tone as a bluntly states to use all the man's afflictions to get him "to geek". This isn't a long performance but I genuinely love every minute of it. And does it seem easy for Dafoe? Yes, because Dafoe is just that good. In just a few minutes he conveys more than what is needed for the role, bringing so much natural style to the part, and genuine truth of a man who brings a bright smile to dark deeds. 

David Strathairn plays another pseudo mentor of Stan's that he comes across at Clem's circus. Strathairn's Pete being half of the husband/wife double psychic act with Zeena (Toni Collette), whom Stan comes across essentially via Zeena starting a sexual affair with him almost immediately. While Pete is an important role in the 47 version this is taken much further by Strathairn's portrayal of Pete, a once great performer now an alcoholic has been. Strathairn successfully establishes that from his first scene as he speaks with just a harried pause of a man spent by life. His way of even saying that perhaps Zeena will read his fortune as the slight accentuation that Pete's probably aware that Zeena has further plans for Stan, but he just doesn't care at this point. This before heading off with a cigarette which he reveals with a quick sleight of hand. Strathairn with that does like a momentary, and briefest, bit of confidence suggesting the showman that once existed in Pete that is long gone now. Meanwhile we see Pete plying his trade with his wife, a pretty lame show of him sending her messages from trap door, which even that Strathairn performs as though Pete is just barely gripping onto any energy to perform the trick. Strathairn is perfect in presenting the exhausted wreck of the man, and brings such a potent sense of the man's defeat in life. There's such an innate sadness in every expression of Strathairn's. Although a far more broken man, Strathairn presents a man who is perhaps the far more important mentor to Stan and the one he perhaps should've listened to more. This as when Strathairn suggests against turning mind reading into a lie filled "spook show" it is a purity of the earnestness in his statement, it is quiet truth that Strathairn speaks from a man who is well too aware where that road leads to. 

Strathairn is fantastic as we dive deeper into his Pete even past the tired state of the man. What makes Strathairn's work so striking here is how well he evokes the history that defines the lost soul he is. He's heartbreaking in the moment of pondering back to a gift to Zeena in their glory days as he so simply accentuates such genuine warmth towards his wife who rather obviously is cheating on him. When they decide to show off their old act, Strathairn is amazing as he takes Stan's watch and cold reads him to seemingly hit some deep importance that is just in fact a generalization that will work on most. Strathairn's great in this scene as his physical performance brings the showmanship in his movements of the man drifting around his hands as though he is casting a spell. He then speaks with still a bit of that tired man, but also the sense of the peering "psychic" that once existed beneath it all who could captivate audiences. Strathairn is so quietly penetrating as he speaks with this authority about this watch that is so meaningful to Stanton, even though he is just making up the whole story in his mind from what he's learned about humanity. Strathairn is terrific in the moment as he shows him pull him basically into his grasp of the speech before his reaction of terror comes across his fast as though he is fearful of this particular "power" he has constructed through manipulating the human condition. This contrasts against when speaking more practically about the act Strathairn brings a more casual quality, less spiritual, of the man just trying to share his trade with a fainter pride in that moment, even as it is still wrapped in the innate sadness that is the man. This even includes the description of the stock reading which Strathairn captures such a world weariness in so simply describing universal truths and pains. Strathairn is heartbreaking as he shows the man essentially giving the only thing he can give that also deeply pains him. I love his final scene, where Stan tries to steal his book of secrets from him, because Strathairn doesn't play the reaction with a hint of anger. Rather Strathairn speaks every word with such a distraught anxiety. He speaks towards Stan with a terrible warning. As he speaks about "lying" Strathairn's warning both is towards Stan, but also grants this sense of his own failures of his past. Strathairn giving such a powerful humanity to the character of Pete and such a strong sense of how Pete got to this place, becoming simply another one of the lost souls in the circus. Together Dafoe and Strathairn so vibrantly color the first half of the film, giving so much life to this strange circus, and essentially both denizens of the same alley, however one who cautions those who enter, while the other invites them to its darkest paths.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2021

And the Nominees Were Not:

Bradley Cooper in Licorice Pizza

 

Jeffrey Wright in The French Dispatch

Al Pacino in House of Gucci

 

Ben Affleck in The Last Duel 

David Strathairn in Nightmare Alley

 

Predict these five, those five or both:

Anders Danielsen Lie in The Worst Person in the World

 

Masaki Okada in Drive My Car

 

Tony Leung Chiu Wai in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

 

Mike Faist in West Side Story

 

Andre Holland in Passing

Alternate Best Actor 1994: Kevin Bacon & David Strathairn in The River Wild

 Kevin Bacon did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite being nominated for a Golden Globe, for portraying Wade nor did David Strathairn for portraying Tom in The River Wild.

The River Wild is a dated though more than decent thriller about a family going on a rafting trip who unfortunately come randomly in contact with some thieves making an escape on the same river. 

So return back to the reliable Kevin Bacon. Bacon is an interesting case in that I'm not sure I'd call him fully underrated, but one could easily make the case for him to be deserving of being an Oscar nominee, though probably a one time Oscar nominee would suffice. Speaking of one time Oscar nominees, we have David Strathairn here as well, an actor of kind of similar caliber even despite that previous aforementioned fact. Here we have them playing dueling leading roles, though Bacon was campaigned in supporting for this film, as the man who initially shows up at the start of the trip. The man who seems to be such a friendly stranger that you know he's gotta be up to no good. Bacon though is pretty good in bringing on the charisma here however. He finds the right ease about it that even within the obvious setup, Bacon delivers on the setup in making his Wade genuinely charming before he's going to really reveal himself. Now Strathairn on the other hand plays the overworking husband to Meryl Streep's rafting expert Gail, and father to Joseph Mazzello's Roarke. Strathairn being rather ideal as the "boring guy" in the early scene, having that sort of pressured manner that is just ideal of a man whose thoughts seem to be caught on elsewhere as the film opens, and he initially claims to be unable to make the trip. Strathairn's just one of the actor's whose presence is just ideal, and frankly you expect he could be some footnote in the film to be forgotten form much of the proceedings. This just as you believe Strathairn strictly as the "forgettable" guy, though he's not a forgettable performer. 

Bacon is good at playing up the charm adding a bit of southern twang similar to his JFK work though downplaying slightly here to ease into some sort of generalized idea of the potential other man as Gail has second thoughts about her marriage due to her husband's focus on work. Strathairn on the other hand is wonderfully goofy and seemingly out of his depth as he initial shows up last minute to the trip. As the early scenes go on we get the minor flirtation well played by Bacon with a sense of manipulation in the approach. Strathairn takes a convincing approach in portraying the combination of Tom's frustrations with his wife's interactions with Wade, and even his son getting too comfortable with the other man. As the scenes go on though Strathairn naturally realizes the more charming sides to charm. What I like about Strathairn's work is that without the obsession of either work or jealousy, he shows that Tom isn't an entirely different man however there is just a gradual warmth that reveals itself within the frame of the pretty straight laced guy. Strathairn brings the right earnest quality to this making the moments of reconciliation with Streep genuinely a strong scene. This as they realize a strong chemistry, after purposefully having a more strained one, both creating the right sense of intimacy in their interaction and just the right degree of playfulness in the moment. Strathairn's performance working as really kind of quietly revealing the greater depths of what we initially take his Tom as, one thing, but he is more. 

Immediately after the reconciliation we hit the overt thriller element as Wade and his partner Terry (John C. Reilly), reveal themselves as thieves and Wade being a gun touting killer. I'd say in these scenes Bacon borders on going over the top several times, I'd say though he basically hold back, though some of his specific readings maybe go out of bounds just slightly. Still Bacon brings a natural intensity and viciousness that works well for the role creating the right sense of menace in his work. Strathairn I suppose is a bit of a balance to Bacon as he stays in a strict reality where Bacon's work is definitely that of a 90's thriller, both in a good way and a more dated way. Strathairn though is terrific in bringing an honesty to the thriller element by showing both a real fear but also sense of persistence within his character. His silent reactions add up to a great deal in bringing the intensity of the scenes, just as much, if not more so, than Bacon's performance. This as any given scene of threat Strathairn makes it real. This in showing that while Tom is more than meets the eye he also isn't some superhuman.This in the most overt thriller scenes he shows the very real fear of the threat of death in every expression. Now the film, while doesn't become bad, gets a little repetitive in its third act as we keep getting Wade flopping around as Gail tries to trip him up on the river, meanwhile Tom trails behind trying to surprise Wade downriver. This doesn't give either too much to work with, but I'll give particular credit to Strathairn in doing his best to make these scenes compelling by consistently granting them as the actions of a normal man even as he goes to these great lengths. These as every moment of climbing a cliff or taking a leap, his work brings a strict sense of both the conviction of the character in his eyes, while also making the sense of danger still within at the same time. Bacon's work becomes less memorable during this time, though he makes up for it in his final scene. This as he takes upon the best sort of quiet repentant tone as he tries to trick Gail. Bacon's delivery being wonderful insincere while being sincere, before quickly reverting back to his true vicious nature for the final moment. In the end both Bacon and Strathairn, the reliable actors that they are, give fine performances here with Bacon properly realizing the expected trappings of the genre, while Strathairn doing his best to try to elevate it. 

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2012: James Spader and David Strathairn in Lincoln

James Spader did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying William N. Bilbo in Lincoln.

One thing that is a common occurrence these days is films even with large ensembles, even ones with multiple great performances in them, only one performance from the supporting cast will be recognized consistently. This certainly true of Lincoln which despite having a large cast it was apparently determined by both the film industry and critics groups that Tommy Lee Jones was the only supporting player worth mentioning in the film. Although this very well may be that Jones has the flashiest role in the entire film as every scene he has seems to be an Oscar scene of course just because he flashiest role in the film does not mean he is the best supporting player in the film.

James Spader plays one of Secretary of State Seward's political operative whose whole point is to try to sway votes through offering political appointments. Spader in the first scene we see him very much tries to make a very unique character out of Bilbo as a very particular sort of man. Everything from the way he sits, to the way he speak, to the way he smokes, to the way he sweats is something that very much makes him a man who sticks out. All of these things Spader does only succeeds in amplifying Bilbo as a character, making him far more memorable as well as giving some indication to where exactly this man came from.

Spader honestly has quite a challenge to stick out because he comes in and out of the film for only short periods of time, even seconds in some cases. Spader though does make the impact he should with his role as Bilbo and he is always a delight whenever he does appear. His comedic chops here are impeccable as they are very much in character and much of the humor derives from his gruff and spent demeanor. His timing is marvelous making a humorous moment whenever he does have the chance, that are always very amusing but still what he does always fits entirely with the rest of the film.

Importantly Spader does as well shows the cunning of this odd man and in his expressions he suggests a very real intelligence within Bilbo's haggard carcass. A particularly strong moment is just a quick little look which is toward one of the congressmen he has been pressuring. The point and look is perfect and it only helps in making it believable that the congressman would decide to vote the right way. This is a short but very sweet performance by James Spader taking the spotlight in just the right way that adds to the film so nicely without seeming like a forced character in the least. He uses what he has wonderfully well giving an entertaining supporting performance, that only left me wanting to see more of his unique character. 

David Strathairn did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Secretary of State William Seward in Lincoln.

David Strathairn portrays William Seward one of the Lincoln closest confidants, and one of the men who works tirelessly to try to get the amendment passed. In his first scene Strathairn is very good in setting up Seward's very specific role which is being the friend to Lincoln who asks the difficult questions. In his opening scene he describes the pressures and troubles involved with passing the amendment to Lincoln in a direct fashion. Strathairn is very good because he establishes, along with Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, the working relationship between the two men.

Strathairn does two very important things in every moment in which he pressures Lincoln about his choices and tactics. The first is that he shows Seward to be a forceful man, and one who really does put a great deal of force in his questions that he asks Valjean. Strathairn makes Seward an incisive man who very much does get right to the point with Lincoln. At the same time though he also does show that the two are very much friends, and even when he is asking Lincoln the hard questions. There is always a certain warmth too in his demeanor towards Lincoln that shows that it is due to his concern for his friend that he asks these questions.

In scenes with his political operatives Seward is very good portraying Seward as man with a great deal of experience, who certainly knows what must be done. He expresses quite well not only the knowledge of Seward, but as well in a subtle fashions his frustrations to have to fall into a lower level to do what must be done to get the amendment moving forward. Unlike Tommy Lee Jones he does not get a lot of time to portray this personal struggle in Seward, yet the great thing about this performance is that he still manages to bring this life within his performance even with the little time offered to him.

This is for the most part a very subtle performance by David Strathairn after all he does not get a single scene devoted entirely to himself, unlike a certain co-star. This leaves a lot of what he must do is in his reactions in the scenes where Lincoln is in meeting. Now Strathairn does his very best to reflect Seward's feelings through the struggle for the amendment. Strathairn extra effort is quite impressive considering the limitations. Strathairn is always very spot on in every moment reflecting Seward's concerns skillfully particularly in displaying the difference between him as Lincoln as there is hint a pessimism in his face something missing from Lincoln. 

Strathairn definitely gets the short end of the stick here as Seward seems like he might have been far more in an earlier draft. Its a real shame how Seward is treated considering what Strathairn is able to accomplish with little he is given. I really find it odd the way there is not even a mention of him at the end considering Seward was severely injured, and was almost killed at the same time as Lincoln. I mean come on, the film could have at least had one line from Lincoln in regards to Seward before he goes off to Ford's theater, and even though we would not see him it could at least shown us one last indications of their relationship. Nevertheless this is a good performance since Strathairn left me only wanting more of Seward's story, something that I could not say about Tommy Lee Jones.

Best Actor 2005: Results

5. Terrence Howard in Hustle and Flow- The biggest acting he tries is an accent which he fails with and the rest is just a dull, dull performance.

4. Joaquin Phoenix in Walk The Line- Phoenix gives an okay dramatic performance I suppose but he does not give one that does Johnny Cash any justice.

3. David Straithairn in Good Night and Good Luck- Straithairn lacks much of a challenge as Edward R. Murrow but I do think he gives good performance although really in only a functional fashion.

2. Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain- Ledger gives an incredibly strong performance and mixes in brilliant subtlety with genuine emotion practically perfectly.

1. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote- Hoffman simply is brilliant from beginning to end in this film. Every single scene he nails completely. He always is Truman Capote I never doubted it which is amazing, and if that was not enough his performance is one of the most powerful performances ever.

Deserving Performances:Viggo Mortensen in A History of Violence

Best Actor 2005: David Straithairn in Good Night, and Good Luck

David Straithairn received his first Oscar nomination for portraying television journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck.

I like this film well enough because it kept to the story it was telling, and was just a short and sweet film. It was not great but it was pretty good.

The main reasons I like the film is its to the pointless, although makes it so there is barely any  personal stories and Edward R. Murrow is almost always seen in a professional light. Murrow is portrayed as almost perfect in the film, which is well enough since they do not over do it but at the same time it leaves Murrow as a somewhat simple character. In fact the depiction of him is only a little more than in more detailed historical documentary films one might see on PBS or the history channel. In fact I saw one of these on J. Oppenheimer where David Straithairn played Oppenheimer in the reenactment footage. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing. After all I thought his performance as Oppenheimer was quite effective and made that documentary film more interesting.

As Murrow he is good at playing exactly how Murrow must be portrayed for this film's message. As the journalist who fights for what is right and wants television to be used to bring attention to important issues in the world. He handles Murrow well in a straight to the point performance. He does not really look like Murrow but that does not matter in the least. He does not really imitate Murrow voice but he does imitate his unique way of speaking, which is very effective. He has the right rhythm in his clear spoken way that correctly represents Murrow to the affine way of speaking. Straithairn also has the right physical movements that are equally follow Murrow's movements. Now outside of when he is television he acts basically the same, just with the tiniest bit more relaxed, and with a little more personality. He never shows that much emotion and keeps Murrow fact based as he would be in a documentary. I never have a problem with the approach and it works well in the film. Straithairn's performance is integral to the film, it is not a risky performance or a challenging one but it is a good one. 

Best Actor 2005

And the Nominees Were:

Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain

David Strathairn in Good Night, and Good Luck

Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote

Terrence Howard in Hustle and Flow

Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line

Who do you pick? What do you predict my ranking will be?