Best Supporting Actor 2024: Results

 5. Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain - Culkin doesn't give a bad performance but it does feel like he's coasting a little too much in his wheelhouse at times and isn't nearly as charming as the film believes him to be. 

Best Scene: First meeting the group. 

4. Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown - Although I didn't fully believe his Pete Seeger mannerisms, I believed the quiet warmth he brought to the role. 

Best Scene: Seeing Woody for the last time. 

3. Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice - Broad in a way that worked in creating the prince of darkness then pulling the rug out from under you by revealing the vulnerable pathetic man beneath it all. 

Best Scene: Birthday cake. 

2. Yura Borisov in Anora - Borisov brings so much to so many little moments in creating humor but also an essential building empathy that makes a great impact by the end of the film. 

Best Scene: Staying overnight. 

1. Guy Pearce in The Brutalist - Good predictions Robert, Lucas, Bryan, Luke, Tahmeed, A, Shaggy, Jonathan & Tony. I'll admit I was looking for reasons to not love Pearce here when reviewing the performance strangely enough, but the more I wrote about the film the more I found to love in his portrayal of a depraved exploiter who can put on a bright smile but don't believe it as it covers up a snake. 

Best Scene: Story of his grandparents. 

Best Supporting Actor 2024: Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown

Edward Norton received his fourth Oscar nomination for portraying Pete Seeger in A Complete Unknown. 

Edward Norton isn’t the star of this biopic focusing on Bob Dylan (Timothee Chalamet) but he very much gets to perform in a biopic role in the then established folk singer Pete Seeger. The real Seeger having a very distinct manner to himself with this almost country preacher relaxed manner and his kind of sing songy way he would speak as almost a country twang despite being from New York. The musician was very unique to say the least, so part of Norton’s performance is bringing that sing-songy quality to his own voice that is more than a little mannered all by itself. And what Norton does is more or less what Seeger sounded like however I will say it never quite hit that happy medium for me where Norton felt entirely like this was the voice of Seeger and not Norton trying to do the voice Seeger. It isn’t that I think he does it poorly even if the attempt still felt evident to me to create the voice rather than just expressing it with a natural ease that I found completely convincing as is the case with the very best performances of the ilk. And maybe he should’ve been more of an evocation rather than trying for the exact idiosyncratic quality, but still doesn’t completely work for me. What works better though his physical manner as Seeger which is very different from what Norton became known for in his early intense performances, as he plays an adamant peace loving pacifist and Norton way of cocking back, walking slow in his particularly relaxed movement and having this easy way about him, that is where while I still saw Norton, what I did feel was a presence of someone seeking to find connection and peaceful persuasion than hate. We do get some performance scenes where Norton plays the banjo and even leads a crowd with ”Wimoweh”, which Norton performs admirably enough albeit not the focus of the film, though honestly what I like most of Norton’s performance in these moments is his minor bits of hesitation which reflect someone who knows he’s not the biggest of the stars but more often than not is happy to play along. Frequently this idea of contentment being an innate acceptance, such as when we see him at home, where he is a bit of a fuddy duddy in a certain sense, and Norton delivers earnestly with a hint of knowing of someone who knows he’s that, but also absolutely accepts that about himself. 

Part of the character of Seeger here is to be the establishment of the folk scene who helps to introduce Dylan, and often literally introduces him. In that Norton literally introduces Dylan several times throughout the film along with some other singers and Norton goes about this with proper introductory qualities…I guess. The dramatic shift, theoretically as I don't find it particularly dramatic in this film, is as Dylan wants to expand his musical repertoire beyond the confines of the folk genre. Something that Seeger ends up being an aspect of in creating the overall conflict. Although we get his first scene at the folk meeting, where potential problems with Dylan are first discussed, Seeger comes in with a mediating voice, which where Norton is best in this performance is kind of in and around the mannerisms. And once again I don’t think the mannerisms are bad, but what Norton does most successfully is accept the role of the supporting character in a way, which is through his often silent reactions in a given scene. This scene for example Seeger just cautions the folk festival committee to not be too dogmatic, and Norton’s very good in his reaction behind the line where he conveys the sense of concern for his old protege. Something however that is contrasted when he too comes to talk Dylan out of “going electric” at the climactic concert, which Norton brings a nice warmth within the undercurrent of the quietly frustrated urging as Seeger makes almost a parable out of it otherwise, suggesting the old mentor still caring even as he gets into conflict. The climax itself, which the intention of why it is the climax is a little lost on me, when Dylan’s electric turn is met with very mixed results to understate, Seeger is one of the people reacting to it going so far as trying to turn the sound down and considering cutting it off with an axe. Transitions I’m not sure make perfect sense to the Seeger we know, except that I do like how Norton again non-verbally plays the scene because even as he goes to intend to shut Dylan down his eyes evoke a sense of concern even then. I do even like the whole reaction to the axe bit, because when his wife stops him, and Seeger says okay, Norton has kind of a double take where you see the internal quick moment of realization that he’s lost his head in the moment as he nearly smiles about himself going too far. Although the film doesn’t give a proper moment to really let Seeger reconcile with Dylan, we see him watch as he drives off the next day which Norton again handles well by expressing clear admiration in the glance, but it does feel like there should’ve been a scene of acceptance or something more than what we get. 

I purposefully went out of order in this review, because within the confines of the overall film, Norton’s role ends up being more reduced as the film goes on, though he’s in the film throughout, but the best scenes of his work I do think very much are in the opening act of the film, which also happens to be the best section of the film. The section when Dylan is a complete unknown just trying to establish himself and doing so by going to visit the dying Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy) in the hospital. Before that we are given Seeger’s most personal story scene where we see him dealing with the courts related to his political activities, and we see Seeger brings his same quiet sensibilities to facing down Federal charges as he does anything else. A scene that I think had potential, but the fact that the film never bothers to follow up with it in any way whatsoever does cause me to question its inclusion, particularly as Seeger’s political convictions barely come up otherwise. Regardless it leads us to the best scenes in the film which are whenever we go see Guthrie, where Seeger frequently visits him and it is where both first meet Dylan together. Here’s where some of Norton’s best work is within the film largely again through his quiet reactions in the scenes. When you see him talk and look at Woody, Norton internalizes the quiet sense of grief beautifully and evokes a long friendship with the man even though that friendship is never focused upon. Norton does just through silent performance and his expressions particularly the understated joy when he sees that Woody is finding any joy in something, like when Dylan sings to them. When later he says he’ll tour the world a bit away from him, the quiet resignation in Norton’s eyes speaks to the possibility of never seeing Woody again, and you are granted that connection and history the two share. It is to the point honestly that I wish the film was about this relationship but unfortunately it is not and we don’t see Seeger check in with Woody again, which is a shame. Regardless I do like this performance, did I absolutely accept him as Seeger the person? No, but in terms of bringing a calm, tender mentor energy and crafting history that was lacking or missing on the page, I thought Norton delivered nicely. 

Best Supporting Actor 2024

And the Nominees Are:

Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown

Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice

Guy Pearce in The Brutalist

Kieran Culkin in A Real Pain

Yura Borisov in Anora

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005: Ghassan Massoud and Edward Norton in Kingdom of Heaven

Ghassan Massoud did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Saladin in Kingdom of Heaven.

Kingdom of Heaven is a fairly impressive epic about a Knight Balian (Orland Bloom) who travels to Jerusalem during the crusades, eventually becoming the defender of the city.

Now a weaker aspect of the film technically is Orlando Bloom's lead performance, though this in no way means Bloom is at his worst. In fact it is probably his best performance, well outside his guest appearance on Extras of course, but it is easy to see someone probably could have done more with the part, perhaps Niolaj Coster-Waldau who is featured in a bit role already. Luckily Bloom is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, well other than chronic over actor Marton Csokas as the chief villain whose physical appearance in this film kept making me think "come on Angus Macfadyen I know you can do better than this". Csokas is an exception though, and just about everyone else delivers whether it is David Thewlis as an otherworldly mentor, Liam Neeson as Balian's passionate father, Jeremy Irons and Alexander Siddig as two calm advisors on both sides. Then there are the leaders of the respective armies. The Muslims being lead by Saladin played by Ghassan Massoud.

Massoud's performance realizes the stature of a certain type of leader in Saladin. He's not a man known for his grand speeches or dramatic charges into battle, rather he is known for his wisdom. Massoud exudes this sort of unassuming confidence. Massoud plays the part without ego yet still conveys a definite charisma in Saladin. He portrays an assurance in himself as a reasonable man, and creates the sense that his greatest concern is always what is best for his people. Saladin's early appearances in the film are rather brief, as he tries to avoid war with the Christians. In these scenes though Massoud does well to establish the man as a calm leader, yet with an underlying incisiveness about him. The calmness about him never is that of a fool or a fiend, rather Massoud finds the certain sense of contemplation in Saladin that defines the man. Massoud presents him as a man who is always thinking, never acting rashly, properly showing the leader who waits to only ever make the right move.

Eventually Saladin's hand is forced by the villainous forces among the Christians causing him to finally attack. Massoud never portrays a viciousness even as he has his enemies massacred, instead portraying just this certainty of righteousness in his anger as he executes men for their wrongdoing. Saladin though to finish the reign of his enemies goes to conquer Jerusalem from the Christians. Massoud's performance is technically limited during the siege, though when we do see him he is effective in internalizing essentially the loss in the battle. He subtly, yet poignantly reveals the way this weighs on Saladin as he sees so many die in the attempt to take the city. Eventually Saladin instead tries to parlay for a peaceful truce and this is Massoud's strongest scene. Massoud uses the moment essentially to show Saladin at the height of his ability as he reasons a solution rather than forcing one. Massoud adds so much just in his gaze as he gauges Balian while they attempt to reach some sort of solution. He finds the way Saladin reaches his conclusion to spare the Christians, despite being reminded of pass transgressions. Massoud brings such palatable yet understated passion in Saladin response as reaffirms his refusal to be the barbarian. After the surrender I love the almost humorous quality Massoud brings as he portrays Saladin almost laughing at himself for perpetuating the madness by keeping the city intact. Massoud gives a very strong performance as Saladin, though I must admit I don't think he gives the very best performance in the film.

Edward Norton did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying King Baldwin IV in Kingdom of Heaven.

Edward Norton portrays the initial leader of the Christian factions in the holy land as the king of Jerusalem. Norton is unrecognizable in the film given he wears a mask through almost the entirety of the film, and the one scene we see him without his mask, it hardly matters. That is because Norton is portraying Baldwin who we meet as he is already ravaged from leprosy, though still the King. Edward Norton is not an actor that makes one immediately think of historical epic, however he seems the actor most comfortable with the material out of anyone in the cast. Norton doesn't do an overt accent per se, it is technically more of some akin to what say Harvey Keitel did in the Duellists, yet it still never seems like Norton behind the mask. In the end he seems unrecognizable even in voice, as he merely is Baldwin. Norton's there if you try to find him yet there is no reason for such distractions whenever Norton is onscreen. This is despite the technical limitations against him in this performance as the only part of his face that he is able to make use of are his eyes with the rest of his face being covered up by the lifeless mask, however that is not nearly as debilitating as one might assume.

Norton establishes Baldwin effortlessly from his first scene where Balian is introduced to him. Now Norton does not rely on anything to overt in terms of his body language. He brings the right grace of King, well still conveying the degradation caused by his condition, and effectively gradually showing the worsening of the condition every time we see him throughout the film. That is not what makes this such a remarkable performance though as Norton is absolutely as magnetic when he is standing or  when he sitting or laying down here. His first scene where he meets Balian Norton is utterly captivating in realizing the power of the figure. This is essential as Norton must make it convincing that Baldwin is still the respected King despite the ravages of his disease. Norton makes that wholly believable as he conducts himself with such assurance still, and his voice commands attention despite never seeking it precisely. There is simply this wonderful quality about Norton's voice as there is something contemplative about it yet with a profound assurance of a man who firmly understands the world he lives in. There is a humanity Norton brings yet the cunning is all the same, as Norton depicts a benevolent King yet a King who will do what is required to secure his Kingdom.

Norton though also utilizes well the only part of his face that he is allowed to use. Norton's eyes are truly expressive here as he gives them this piercing quality fitting for a leader, yet within them there is the sense of the constant suffering Baldwin must endure. Norton with only seemingly the most minor of resources is utterly fascinating to watch here. Baldwin through the film offers the most sage advice as he attempts to maintain civility with the Muslims, even while dealing with a form of insurrection in the ranks. Norton gives us this struggle, but also makes every success convincing through that eloquent sway in the man he realizes so beautifully. Norton though as keeps the idea of the man alive particularly near the end of his time in the film as he begins to finally die from his disease. There is one especially heartbreaking scene where Baldwin's sister finally goes to see him on his deathbed, after ignoring him in his terrible state for some time. Although we got very little to establish this relationship beforehand, Norton makes us understand it in an instance. The love that Norton expresses in his eyes as he sees her brings such poignancy to the moment suggesting how much she had meant to him. Norton is incredibly moving as he captures the pure joy of the moment as Baldwin has one moment of happiness before his death. Every single scene in which Baldwin appears is a highlight in the film a Norton so effortlessly gives the life to the King and the man, and is never overshadowed by the mere idea behind him. It is an excellent performance which, like John Hurt in the Elephant Man and Conrad Veidt in The Man Who Laughs, never seems limited in emotional impact despite the nature of the role.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005

And the Nominees Were Not:

Jeffrey Wright in Broken Flowers

Keanu Reeves in Thumbsucker

Min-sik Choi in Sympathy for Lady Vengeance

Cillian Murphy in Red Eye

Ghassan Massoud in Kingdom of Heaven

Edward Norton in Kingdom of Heaven

For Prediction Purposes:

Massoud From Kingdom of Heaven

Best Supporting Actor 2014: Results

5. Robert Duvall in The Judge - This might not be Robert Duvall's best performance but it's an excellent example of a great actor elevating sub par material. 

Best Scene: The Judge takes the witness stand.

4. Ethan Hawke in Boyhood - Ethan Hawke gives a strong portrayal of the maturation of one man into being a father, and unlike the rest of the cast makes use of the 12 year structure.

Best Scene: Mason Senior gives advice to his son after the graduation party.

3. Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher - Ruffalo gives a very effective low key performance as essentially the sense and the sanity of the film.

Best Scene: Dave helps Mark after Mark's breakdown.

2. Edward Norton in Birdman - Norton appropriately gives a very entertaining and believable portrayal of an insufferable but brilliant actor.

Best Scene: Mike Shiner's introduction.

1. J.K. Simmons in Whiplash - Good Prediction Psifonian. J.K. Simmons has a great role playing an enigmatic and tyrannical music instructor, and realizes this greatness through his marvelous performance.  

Best Scene: The finale.

Best Supporting Actor 2014: Edward Norton in Birdman

Edward Norton received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Mike Shiner in Birdman.

Edward Norton plays the stage actor who is the last minute replacement for an injured actor in the play directed by and starring former movie super hero actor Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton). Where parallels can be made between the fictional life of Riggan along with Michael Keaton the same can be made for Edward Norton with his counterpart Mike Shiner. Like Keaton, this is obviously not suppose to be exact truth or necessarily even close to it, especially since Norton actually is primarily a film actor. Where there does seem to be a connection is that both are lauded performers but considered difficult to work with. Mike first appearance is a perfectly fitting for that of the "great" actor right down to his choice of hat, scarf and coat. Norton then proceeds to carry himself as the master of the stage as Mike and Riggan go through part of the play. Norton is terrific exuding confidence about everything he does from his fairly pompous walk to just the way he looks upon Riggan with seemingly a combination of interest and perhaps a low-key disdain. Norton is brilliantly insufferable right from the start.

Although from the start Norton suggests what likely will be part of the problem with Mike right from the start, but does not forget to show what Mike will bring to the play. Norton does a particularly fantastic job of showing the way Mike goes in and out of the play with his performance. Not simply in the way he's projecting his voice as he should, although he does that well, but also how in the moment of the play Norton only portrays honest emotions as Mike is in character, and Norton does a great job of being in character in character. Even past that though Norton is terrific in portraying the way Mike is in his zone of control when talking about the play with Riggan going even so far as to constantly make suggestions for a bit of rewriting. Norton is impeccable in realizing the method of Mike as he brings such an energy and even joy as he knocking back and forth ideas with Riggan, and we see Mike exactly where he belongs. Norton is wonderfully in the moment and it's a great scene as Norton basically allows Mike to live up to his reputation.

Norton treads a very fine line in his portrayal of Mike off stage because if he went too far with the egotistical actor routine he could become caricature. Norton though is right on the mark with his performance though being enjoyably smug in his whole manner as it is clear that Mike thinks Mike is God's gift to acting, and that's all there is to it. Norton is especially good in the way he kinda amplifies the ego whenever Mike goes off on an idea and seems to get one over on Riggan. Norton is entertaining as he basically builds up the level of self-indulgence of Mike in given scene before there is eventually something to take him down a notch. One such moment is when Mike is going on off basically his artistic superiority to Riggan before being completely unrecognized as Riggan is asked by a fan for a picture. Norton's very good in his subtle reaction of Mike kinda metaphorically biting his tongue down when he's hit with a bit of reality, as Mike is the sort of man who would not even allow himself to be seen as though he cares, even though he does.

What Norton does so well though is make sense of the madness of his character as he seems somewhat random in the way he flies off the handle sometimes, only to be rather reasonable all of the sudden. Norton makes this volatility work though as an essential part of who Mike is. He makes sense of the sudden bursts of intolerably along with genius all seem to fit into a single whole without at all seeming absurd. Norton's performance interestingly enough, considering his other two male co-stars are comedians, is probably the most comedic performance in the film which is funny all by itself by Norton's often dramatic work like in his previous two Oscar nominations. Norton though succeeds in finding plenty of humor out his character with every one of his odd ball scenes, especially one where he comes with having sex onstage with his co-star/soon to be former girlfriend Lesley (Naomi Watts). Norton is outstanding because he is hilarious in portraying the madness, yet he always remains oddly believable all the same.

Norton does have his technically most dramatic scenes with Riggan's daughter Sam (Emma Stone) as they play game of truth or dare on top of the theater. Norton's very good here as well though as he eases back somewhat on the pretension of Mike, although he still leaves a bit there as he attempts to mentor Sam, but in these scenes gives us a Mike who's willing to let things go. Although the two scenes eventually end on a romantic I don't feel Norton and Stone have romantic chemistry. This is not a criticism, but rather the two show more of an comfort in the understanding the two are able to develop. There is a sweetness in their connection as Norton shows it not that Mike has found love, but rather a person he does not need to perform for. It is almost as though since Sam has such low self-esteem, there is no ego there to trump therefore Norton's performance suggests that Mike can kinda relax for once in his life. My only sorta reservation, I don't really have a problem with it as it works for the film, I want to make that clear, is that he is a non-entity in the third act(where the view focuses solely on Riggan) and it did not seem like Mike Shiner was quite finished. Norton nevertheless does some very memorable work here and I feel as though, just like almost every character in Birdman, there could be a whole film just about Mike Shiner.

Best Supporting Actor 2014

And the Nominees Are:

Edward Norton in Birdman

Mark Ruffalo in Foxcatcher

J.K. Simmons in Whiplash

Ethan Hawke in Boyhood

Robert Duvall in The Judge

Alternate Best Actor 1999: Results

5. Brad Pitt in Fight Club-Brad Pitt gives a good enough performance that is charismatic enough although not to the level the film suggests his character should be.

Best Scene: "Hit me as hard as you can"

4. Edward Norton in Fight Club- Norton, in the less showy role of the two leads of the film, gives the more consistent performance effectively portraying his character's strange journey through the film.

Best Scene: The Narrator tries to go to the police.

3. Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai- Whitaker performance is all about creating the style of the samurai which he handles wonderfully well. 

Best Scene: Ghost Dog takes down the gangsters.

2. Guy Pearce in Ravenous- Pearce is very effective by being the sane man among the insanity.

Best Scene: Captain Boyd sees his new commanding officer.

1. Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon- Jim Carrey proves himself a master mimic as he becomes Andy Kaufman and every character he played.

Best Scene: Andy's first time doing the foreigner. 

Overall Rank:

1. Richard Farnsworth in The Straight Story
2. Bob Hoskins in Felicia's Journey
   
3. Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon
4. Jim Broadbent in Topsy-Turvy
5. Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense
6. Russell Crowe in The Insider
7. Guy Pearce in Ravenous
8. Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
9. Heath Ledger in Two Hands
10. Anthony Hopkins in Titus
11. Nicolas Cage in Bringing Out the Dead 
12. Edward Norton in Fight Club
13. Tom Hanks in The Green Mile
14. Bruce Willis in The Sixth Sense
15. Ron Livingston in Office Space
16. Al Pacino in The Insider
17. Mel Gibson in Payback
18. Terence Stamp in The Limey  
19. Om Puri in East is East 
20. Denzel Washington in The Hurricane
21. Ralph Fiennes in Sunshine 
22. Brad Pitt in Fight Club
23. Eddie Murphy Bowfinger
24. Jeremy Northam in The Winslow Boy
25. Kevin Spacey in America Beauty
26. Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut 
27. Allan Corduner in Topsy-Turvy
28. Brendan Fraser in The Mummy
29. Tim Allen in Galaxy Quest
30. Ralph Fiennes in The End of the Affair
31. Keanu Reeves in The Matrix
32. John Cusack in Being John Malkovich
33. Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow
34. Eddie Murphy in Life
35. George Clooney in Three Kings
36. Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You 
37. Matthew Broderick in Election 
38. Jake Gyllenhaal in October Sky 
39. William Eadie in Ratcatcher
40. Eli Marienthal in The Iron Giant
41. Rupert Everett in An Ideal Husband 
42. Nigel Hawthorne in The Winslow Boy 
43. Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday
44. Mark Wahlberg in Three Kings
45. John Leguizamo in Summer of Sam
46. Ben Foster in Liberty Heights
47. Joe Breen in Angela's Ashes
48. Ciaran Owens in Angela's Ashes
49. Michael Legge in Angela's Ashes
50. Adrien Brody in Summer of Sam
51. Ben Stiller in Mystery Men 
52. Clint Eastwood in True Crime
53. Adrien Brody in Liberty Heights
54. Steve Martin Bowfinger
55. Robin Williams in Jakob the Liar
56. Billy Crystal in Analyze This
57. Robert De Niro in Analyze This
58. Tom Hanks in Toy Story 2
59. Tim Allen in Toy Story 2
60. Sean Penn in Sweet and Lowdown
61. Hugh Grant in Notting Hill 
62. Ethan Hawke in Snow Falling on Cedars
63. Jeremy Theobald in Following
64. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Flawless
65. Pierce Brosnan in The World is Not Enough
66. Martin Lawrence in Life
67. Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley
68. Johnny Depp in The Ninth Gate
69. Willem Dafoe in The Boondock Saints 
70. Robert De Niro in Flawless 
71. Alex Haw in Following
72. Jude Law in eXistenZ
73. Arnold Schwarzenegger in End of Days
74. Joseph Gordon-Levitt 10 Things I Hate About You
75. Martin Lawrence in Blue Streak
76. Liam Neeson in The Phantom Menace
77. Devon Sawa in Idle Hands
78. Mike Myers in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
79. Thomas Jane in Deep Blue Sea  
80. Freddie Cunliffe in The War Zone
81. Adam Sandler in Big Daddy
82. Steve Martin in The Out of Towners
83. Sean Patrick Flanery in Simply Irresistible
84. Tobey Maguire in The Cider House Rules 
85. James Van Der Beek in Varsity Blues
86. Norman Reedus in The Boondock Saints
87. Sean Patrick Flanery in The Boondock Saints
88. Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace

Next Year: 2000 lead

Alternate Best Actor 1999: Edward Norton and Brad Pitt in Fight Club

Edward Norton did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying the narrator in Fight Club.

Fight Club is a film with an intense fan club to say the least, but not one that I subscribe to I'm afraid. I don't hate it, and I liked it well enough on my first viewing, but its style really wore thin on re-watch.

Edward Norton plays the unnamed protagonist of the film who starts out as that of the corporate drone who is a numb man going through his life just buying random things for himself. He only finds anything for himself by releasing himself emotionally at various support groups. Norton's performance is that of a very average sad sack suffering from insomnia and just a general detachment from all things. Norton's pretty good in just being a general downer of an individual showing us a man without a past and without much of a future other then faking some sort of ailment for the most basic expression of emotions possible, which really does not bring him to much of anywhere either, but Norton plants the motivation for the narrator's desire to change.

The narrator's life does not really start changing though until he meets Tyler Durden played by Brad Pitt who also did not receive an Oscar nomination for this film. Well here is the spoiler although I am sure you already know it as it is only kept a better secret than the twist ending to Planet of the Apes which is usually used as its poster these days. Anyway the twist is that Tyler Durden is in fact just a figment of the narrator's imagination who the narrator uses as the visualization for himself when he does everything he has dreamed of doing. This means that Brad Pitt does not play a real person rather just an idea of a man, and that idea is being as the ultimate ideal man who is a rebel who wants to make his own cause.

There is not a single scene with Pitt that does not feature Norton but it is Pitt's character that drives Norton's forward making them co-leads who are constantly intertwined in even more way then you think even when they meet near the beginning of the film. Once they meet the narrator always seems one step behind as Durden seems to be shaping him through his long line of tasks which all start with forcing him to get into a violent confrontation as a more volatile way of breaking the narrator's detachment. Norton's and Pitt's performances are on opposite ends. Where Pitt portrays Durden as a constant who always seems to know exactly what he is doing, Norton portrays the narrator as constantly a step behind who is changing due to each of Durden's actions in one way or another. 

Pitt's performance is all about his charisma, and although I will might be severely beaten for this I find that Pitt certainly has charisma here but not all time greatest macho man ever charisma. Pitt is an actor with that natural star magnetism at least in most of his roles and it is present here although I don't feel he goes the extra mile with this performance as Tyler Durden. Yes he is strong and assured in his performance but he never quite makes Durden the figure of almost godly power. I should note this is only criticism of the highest order in that I think the point of Durden is being perfection a point I don't feel Pitt reaches with this performance. Having said that though Pitt is good in the role well at least the first three fourths of the film.

Although I might be burned with acid for this, I'll say that I actually prefer Norton's performance as the narrator. Norton's performance, until the very end of the film, is a reactionary performance and he is rather effective in portraying the way the narrator changes through the story. Norton has the right sort of amazement as the narrator watches and joins Durden as he starts the titular Fight Club and goes on to commit all sorts of mayhem in his anti-establishment behavior. I like Norton's performance because unlike all the supporting players, who I feel terribly overact in this film, Norton conveys the life changing effects of Durden in a believable, far less bombastic fashion, through the way he brings a life to the narrator that was missing at the beginning of the film.

The end of the film changes things for the worse when it comes to Pitt and I suppose for the better when it comes to Norton. Once the twist is revealed Pitt decides to play Durden as a bit more of the villainous character than necessary. Frankly Pitt just needed to continue how he had gone from the start as Durden meets his end, but instead he ends up overplaying Durden in his concluding appearances. The idea that Durden is just a figment of the narrator's mind is taken too far with Pitt as he starts playing him, well as an imaginary character. I suppose that makes sense, but I think it would have made even more sense that Durden stay as he was before as since there is no reason Durden needed to go the way that Pitt takes him at the end of the film.

Norton on the other hand is very good as the narrator is completely taken aback by the revelation and tries very hard to set make some sort of sense of it all and stops Durden(his)'s plan. Norton sells the twist with his performance which excels in portraying the messed up mental state of the narrator as he has to deal with his own disbelief, and fear of what is going on. Most importantly though in these scenes Norton shows the narrator come into his own as a man. Norton loses that detachment from the beginning, but he as well loses that dreamy amazement in Tyler. Norton instead gives the narrator a will of his own and brings the most genuine emotions in the film as the narrator desperately tries to save his although sorta Tyler's lover Marla (Helena Bonham Carter).

Although Brad Pitt's performance is the much more talked about performance in this film, in achieving the purpose of the character Edward Norton's performance is the stronger work. Pitt is just fine in the film but otherworldly he is not, and he comes close to going off the deep end in a bad way in his final scenes which could have highlights of his performance. Edward Norton does not give an amazing performance either and technically, in terms of the heights he must reach, he has far less of challenge, but Norton does meet his lesser challenge much more thoroughly than Pitt does as Durden. Although his character is the one who changes, Norton gives the consistent performance of the two which shows each detail of the journey of the narrator in a convincing manner.

(For Pitt, let the fire rain down upon me)

(For Norton)

Alternate Best Actor 1999

And the Nominees Were Not:

Brad Pitt in Fight Club

Edward Norton in Fight Club

Jim Carrey in Man on the Moon

Forest Whitaker in Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Guy Pearce in Ravenous

Alternate Best Actor 2002: Results

5. Edward Norton in 25th Hour- Edward Norton gives a solid performance, but never one that stands above his film.

Best Scene: Monty speaks with his father.

4. Ralph Fiennes in Spider- Fiennes gives an uncompromising performance delving into the instability of a deranged man.

Best Scene: Cleg tries to reenact his mother's murder.

3. Robin Williams in One Hour Photo-Williams reigns in himself completely giving an nerving yet sympathetic turn as a lonely man with an unhealthy obsession.

Best Scene: Sy's outburst at the police.

2. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in Infernal Affairs- Leung gives an endearing and moving portrayal of a cop worn away by pretending to be criminal for far too long.

Best Scene: The two moles meet.

1. Ray Liotta in Narc- My win goes to Ray Liotta surprisingly heartbreaking turn as efficient cop who is willing to break too many rules to do what he believes is the right thing. 

Best Scene: Oak recounts what really happened in the tunnel.

Overall Rank:

1. Ray Liotta in Narc
2. Adrien Brody in The Pianist
3. Hiroyuki Sanada in The Twilight Samurai
4. Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in Infernal Affairs
5. Chiwetel Ejiofor in Dirty Pretty Things
6. Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt
7. Nicolas Cage in Adaptation
8. Mads Mikkelsen in Open Hearts
9. Andy Lau in Infernal Affairs 
10. Cillian Murphy in 28 Days Later 
11. Robin Williams in One Hour Photo
12. Ralph Fiennes in Spider
13. Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can 
14. Adam Sandler in Punch-Drunk Love
15. Olivier Gourmet in The Son
16. Sam Rockwell in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind 
17. Philip Seymour Hoffman in Love Liza
18. Bill Paxton Frailty
19. David Gulpilil in The Tracker
20. Leslie Cheung in Inner Senses
21. Greg Kinnear in Auto Focus 
22. Tom Hanks in Road to Perdition 
23. James Spader in Secretary
24. Tom Cruise in Minority Report
25. Viggo Mortensen in The Two Towers 
26. Irrfan Khan in The Warrior
27. Al Pacino in Insomnia  
28. Michael Caine in The Quiet American
29. Campbell Scott in Rodger Dodger
30. Hugh Grant in About A Boy
31. Marek Kondrat in Day of the Wacko
    
32. Mel Gibson in Signs
33. Jason Patric in Narc
34. Edward Norton in 25th Hour 
35. Matt O'Leary in Frailty
36. Sol Kyung-gu in Oasis
37. Derek Luke in Antwone Fisher  
38. Markku Peltola in The Man Without a Past 
39. Jesse Eisenberg in Rodger Dodger
40. Elijah Wood in The Two Towers
41. Steve Coogan in 24 Hour Party People 
42. Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers
43. Tyler Hoechlin in Road to Perdition
44. Song Kang-Ho in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
45. Nicholas Hoult in About a Boy
46. Javier Camara in Talk to Her
47. Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 
48. Edward Norton in Red Dragon
49. Rupert Everett in The Importance of Being Earnest 
50. Alexandre Rodrigues in City of God 
51. Dario Grandinetti in Talk to Her
52. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Treasure Planet
53. Joaquin Phoenix in Buffalo Soldiers
54. Shin Ha-kyun in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance 
55. Sergey Dreyden in Russian Ark 
56. Richard Gere in Unfaithful
57. Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears
58. Guy Pearce in The Time Machine
59. James Caviezel in The Count of Monte Cristo 
60. Colin Firth in The Importance of Being Earnest
61. Jet Li in Hero
62. Eminem in 8 Mile 
63. Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity 
64. Colin Farrell in Hart's War
65. Daniel Radcliffe in The Chamber of Secrets 
66. Richard Gere in The Mothman Prophecies
67. Kevin Bacon in Trapped 
68. Nicolas Cage in Windtalkers
69. Charlie Hunnam in Nicholas Nickerby
70. Robin Williams in Death to Smoochy
71. Ewan McGregor in Attack of the Clones   
72. Matt Damon in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
73. Kieran Culkin in Igby Goes Down
74. Edward Norton in Death to Smoochy
75. Mike Myers in Goldmember
76. Stuart Townsend in Trapped 
77. John Corbett - My Big Fat Greek Wedding
78. Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day 
79. Tim Allen in The Santa Clause 2
80. Will Smith in Men in Black 2  
81. Leonardo DiCaprio in Gangs of New York
82. Adam Beach in Windtalkers
83. Adam Sandler in Mr. Deeds
84. Hayden Christensen in Attack of the Clones

Next Year: 2002 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 2002

And the Nominees Were Not:

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in Infernal Affairs

Robin Williams in One Hour Photo

Ray Liotta in Narc

Ralph Fiennes in Spider

Edward Norton in 25th Hour

I apologize in advance if I left off any of your favorites, but this year was packed.

Best Supporting Actor 1996: Results

5. Cuba Gooding Jr. in Jerry Maguire- Gooding gives an obnoxious over the top performance that wants to be endearing but rather is annoying. He does put a lot of energy into the role though.

4. James Woods in Ghosts of Mississippi- Although given very little to do Woods does a good job of being an effective villain infusing a great deal of energy into his performance. 

3. Armin Mueller-Stahl in Shine- Stahl gives an effective performance as the domineering father of the film unfortuantely though because his character is repetitive his performance is almost the same way.

2. William H. Macy in Fargo- Macy gives a great pathetic portrayal. He gives a perfect portrait of a man who has no idea what he is doing and is unable to do anything about with making more and more bad decisions. It is a brilliant performance that gets everything right.

1. Edward Norton in Primal Fear- Good prediction Dinasztie This was an  exceedingly close decision to make but it is one I never should have made to begin with since Macy and Norton should not have been in the same category. Macy should have been placed in lead where he very very easily would have been my win that year. Both of the top two are both the best of their year really Macy in the leading category and Norton in the supporting. There is no real reason for their order here, except that Norton gives just as brilliant of a performance as Macy. Norton gives a perfectly conducted performance that reveals the mystery of his character in an incredibly chilling, and extremely effective fashion.

Deserving Performances:
Steve Buscemi in Fargo

Best Supporting Actor 1996: Edward Norton in Primal Fear

Edward Norton received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear.

Primal Fear depicts the murder trial of an altar/choir boy who is accused of murdering an Archbishop and is defended by a hot shot lawyer Martin Vail (Richard Gere).

For me to describe and review this performance I must reveal the spoilers around this performance as the revelations in this performance are pivotal to the performance. Edward Norton actually is not a favorite actor of mine, but I must admit when he is good he is really good which is the case in this film. Although you can say what you want about the film it most certainly is worth watching for Edward Norton's performance as the altar boy accused of murder.

When we first see him Aaron is nothing but a scared boy who seems in a very bad situation that he barely seems understand. Norton has the apparent innocence down perfectly. He has a small little stutter, and such a modest demeanor that it simply seems impossible that he could possibly have murdered anyone. When he says that he did not murder the Archbishop he allows you to believe him because of the genuine innocence that Norton portrays in his performance.

The thing though is Aaron is not innocent at all. He is in fact a very much troubled young man as seen when he is being analyzed by a psychologist. In these scenes Norton cleverly portrays Aaron's reactions. He answers most of the questions with his normal boyish innocence, putting up the right degree of reluctance to talk about darker more personal aspects of himself, but when pressured he shows an entirely different side of Aaron that he basically inserts at the right question.

The truth seems to come out when it is revealed that Aaron not only murdered the Archbishop but he has a split personality one being the modest unknowing innocent Aaron and the other being the brutal and vicious Roy. Norton is absolutely believable as both personalities which makes this revelation believable. When Roy Norton shows a chilling psychopathic man who do whatever it takes for self preservation as well as personal gain.

The thing is though there is no split personality after all there is only one person Aaron who's true personality is that of the violent Roy. This final twist really could have been unbelievable but Norton completely sells it. It is amazingly effective becuase of how believable he was as the altar boy, and even in his portrayal of split personality, but what really makes it effective is his final scene where he makes the revelation. Norton brilliant in how he shows the complete egotistical glee of the psychopath he has in his accomplishment. The absolute control he has in this scene succeeds in creating the entire path of the character, as well as making Aaron one very memorable villain.

Best Supporting Actor 1996

And the Nominees Were:

William H. Macy in Fargo

James Woods in Ghosts of Mississippi

Cuba Gooding Jr. in Jerry Maguire

Edward Norton in Primal Fear

Armin Mueller-Stahl in Shine