Best Supporting Actor 2022: Results

5. Judd Hirsch in The Fabelmans - Being five in this lineup is no dishonor. This is a proper definition of a "one scene wonder" though he technically has four scenes, as he comes in, makes his incredible impact and leaves an impression you won't forget. 

Best Scene: Art/Family

4. Brian Tyree Henry in Causeway - Henry gives such a  sensitive and very naturalistic portrayal of a man trying his best to live with grief. 

Best Scene: Describing the crash.

3. Barry Keoghan in The Banshees of Inisherin - Keoghan goes out on a limb successfully realizing the broken state of his character, however doing so with humor and a great deal of humanity. 

Best Scene: "That's the meanest thing I ever heard"

2. Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin - Although I'll freely admit it is silly to call an Oscar nominated performance underrated, I still can't help but say it, only because the praise for him just has gotten a little lost at times between the other great performances in his film and those in his category. This is an outstanding performance by Gleeson who realizing with such complexity, humanity and also humor a man truly struggling with how to deal with his depression. I love everything about this performance that quietly eats at you long after you watch it. 

Best Scene:  "For a bit of peace, Siobhan."

1. Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All At Once - Good predictions Ytrewq, Lucas, Robert, RatedRStar, Calvin and Bryan. Closer than some might think, though it is a Tony Leung evocation that really made all the difference, because I want to emphasize that I adore Gleeson's work through and through. Quan though gives a masterful turn here, giving three distinct and wholly successful performances. One as a dashing badass, one as a suave romantic and of course as one of the most lovable cinematic characters I've seen in some time. And yes, for me this is the greatest supporting actor lineup we've ever had. 

Best Scene: A plea for love. 

Best Supporting Actor 2022: Judd Hirsch in The Fabelmans

Judd Hirsch received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Boris Schildkraut in The Fabelmans. 

Judd Hirsch after over 40 years returns to another Oscar nomination, holding a simple truth a suppose, never count an actor out, until they're truly out. Furthering this point all the more was his trajectory in this Oscar race where he missed out in most of the precursors only to show up in the end over his co-star, in a very small role, appearing in less than ten minutes of the film, in a total of 4 scenes, two which are just him getting out and getting in a car. My review here primarily is looking at his other two scenes, well other than his physical performance even his entrance and exit are worth mentioning, though more on that in a bit. Hirsch comes in as the great uncle of Steven Spielberg's surrogate (Sammy) after Sammy's grandmother has died, and he's come to pay his respects. Despite being regarded as some banshee by Sammy's mother, there doesn't seem to be anything too scary about this elderly Jewish man who wishes to see his extended family. The one thing that does seem notable is that Judd Hirsch, despite being in his late eighties, has no lack of energy as a performer, in fact, his energy is almost overflowing. Hirsch is playing here a specific, well-documented in film, type of elderly Jewish family member who has his slang, has his methods of speaking, and has his whole manner that is distinctly that. A potentially very tired role if you step wrong even a little bit, Hirsch's performance though so owns this idea that he just seems to have mastered the bit, to become the bit and transcend the bit. Hirsch is that in his particular timbre in his voice, his exact accent and his exact articulation that has been seen before even by Hirsch (Independence Day), however few times better than right here. Hirsch runs with it, really sings with it as the character explains his whole backstory in rapid-fire delivery, and discusses his history as a lion tamer and member of film production, while also commenting on his annoyance of sister, without missing a beat. Hirsch not missing a beat is the key to it as he overflows with the energy of the performance, and there is a joy in this performance that is hard not to find endearing if not even a bit entrancing. The real meat of his performance is as shares a bedroom with Sammy for the night and he discusses quite openly a key theme of the piece. That is the love of art even when it comes at the cost of family, Hirsch's Boris is a man who sought out his dream regardless and lives it as he does. Before I get to the big, take a moment for the small which is a reason why I do have great affection for this performance, and maybe less so for a performance that plays the closest family to this character of a similar ilk. Hirsch's performance isn't one-sided as big as it is and as much as he's an isolated supernova. In the dinner scene, and in the bedroom scene, Hirsch does take the time and finds the nuance in the reaction of Boris taking in his great grand nephew, sizing him up, and figuring him out. These are brief moments but they are there and essential to finding just enough ballast for this performance. Because then Hirsch goes big and broad, however broad befitting an eccentric Jewish man who made his living by sticking his head in the mouth of a lion. The man loves performing and that comes out in Hirsch's full-bodied work. And full-bodied it is as you get no sense of his age by the amount of fire and passion that is in each movement, of someone who is so filled with the life of artistry that he is expressing and really life itself that he just can't even hold it in. Hirsch expresses that very particular life in a man who has to express himself as such and does so with a real dynamic power. Hirsch is engaging for every second of it and articulates I think the potentially more corny speech, with a real sense of the fierce emotion about it. I love particularly his kind of almost pestering way about it, as much as it isn't quite supportive, almost rather he has a certain interrogating quality in his voice as he prods Sammy. He accuses him of artistry and forces Sammy to recognize that in himself. That is summarized perfectly in Hirsch's final moment, just a single point to Sammy as he leaves, that is a direct statement without a word and Hirsch says it all at that point. With a little more in any moment, I might've hated this performance and the idea of the character. Hirsch for me though just hits the right stream of an entertaining larger than life intensity that makes so powerfully and quickly makes his firm statement then makes his egress. 

Best Supporting Actor 2022

And the Nominees Are:

Barry Keoghan in The Banshees of Inisherin

Brendan Gleeson in The Banshees of Inisherin

Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Judd Hirsch in The Fabelmans

Brian Tyree Henry in Causeway

Best Supporting Actor 1980: Results

5. Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People- Hirsch is fine in his performance of the psychiatrist who helps Timothy Hutton's character with his problem, but he never becomes more than just fine.

4. Michael O'Keefe in The Great Santini- O'Keefe has some good moments, and his relationship with Robert Duvall's character is well realized, but when the part demands more O'Keefe shows some inexperience.

3. Jason Robards in Melvin and Howard- Robards gives a very short performance by a very interesting one. He makes his Howard Hughes a fascinating enigma of a man that I actually would have liked to see more of.

2. Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People- Hutton although really is lead in his film, that does not make this win any less deserving. Hutton is amazing from beginning to end in the film. It is fascinating how fully he realizes Conrad as a character, and the fact that he never, not even for a moment, fails to bring absolutely authentic emotions to the part despite the enormous changes Conrad goes through and Hutton must show during the film.

1. Joe Pesci in Raging Bull- Joe Pesci really gives the best supporting performance this year. Pesci's performance is a great performance that works wonder with his co-star Robert De Niro, fully realizing the two characters' relationship.

Best Supporting Actor 1980: Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People

Judd Hirsch received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Dr. Tyrone C. Berger in Ordinary People.

Judd Hirsch's performance as the psychiatrist is a rather simple role. His whole purpose in the film is react to Timothy Hutton's Conrad, and attempt to help Conrad the best he can. There are only small very small indications of his life outside of his office. Hirsch really is there just for Hutton's character. Hirsch though does manage to make a really person though, just a real person we only get a limited view of.

As a psychiatrist Berger is portrayed in an entirely positive light only there to help Conrad, nothing more. Hirsch in the role despite being an entirely positive character does not portray him in a one dimensional fashion. Hirsch portrays Berger's approach as a rather tough approach. He never acts overly easy toward Conrad always pushing and prodding Conrad to release his feelings.

Hirsch does a fine job in realizing this whole technique and certainly has some very good scenes with Hutton as they explore his issues, as well as a single scene with Donald Sutherland where he helps Calvin as well. The only thing he does not make the scenes Sutherland and Hutton really makes the scene. Hirsch is good in these scenes and adds to them, but he does not make the powerful moments. He is merely an aspect of them, just like he is an aspect of the film, a fine aspect of the film, but only just that not more.

Best Supporting Actor 1980

And the Nominees Were:

Jason Robards in Melvin and Howard

Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People

Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People

Michael O'Keefe in The Great Santini

Joe Pesci in Raging Bull