Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2019: Results

5. Robert Forster in El Camino - Forster makes the absolute most out of every minute of his screentime to give a very funny, yet also quietly moving portrayal of a most unusual sort of professional.

Best Scene: "We're Open"

4. Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Endgame - Downey gives a worthy sendoff to his now most iconic role, offering the same charm, humor and charisma  as Tony Stark that made him a star once again, though also continuing to take his character on an honest emotional journey. 

Best Scene: Meeting Howard.

3. Sterling K. Brown in Waves - Brown gives an effective portrayal of an overbearing father that quietly and powerfully reveals the real vulnerability and love within the man.

Best Scene: Talking about it.

2. Sam Rockwell in Jojo Rabbit - Rockwell gives a hilarious portrayal of an exasperated soldier just running down the minutes of his existence that eventually becomes rather moving as well.

Best Scene: "Rosie was a good person"

1. Song Kang-ho in Parasite - Song gives a brilliant portrait of the slow descent of a man from a strange contentment towards rage and despair.

Best Scene: Birthday gone wrong.

Overall Rank:

1. Joe Pesci in The Irishman
2. Al Pacino in The Irishman
3. Song Kang-ho in Parasite 
4. Choi Woo-Shik in Parasite
5. Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - 5
6. Sam Rockwell in Jojo Rabbit - 4.5
7. Lee Sun-kyun in Parasite
8. Baykali Ganambarr in The Nightingale
9. Sterling K. Brown in Waves
10. Timothee Chalamet in Little Women
11. Udo Kier in Bacurau
12. Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Endgame
13. Robert Forster in El Camino
14. Bill Hader in It: Chapter 2
15. John Lithgow in Bombshell
16. Eric Bogosian in Uncut Gems- 4
17. Chris Cooper in Little Women  
18. Stephen Graham in The Irishman
19. Keith Williams Richards in Uncut Gems
20. Jesse Plemons in El Camino 
21. Alan Alda in Marriage Story
22. Liu Kuan-ting in A Sun
    
23. Park Myung-hoon in Parasite
24. Jeremy Renner in Avengers: Endgame
25. Chris Evans in Knives Out
26. Mike Moh in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
27. Chris Hemsworth in Avengers: Endgame 
28. Don Johnson in Knives Out
29. Taika Waititi in Jojo Rabbit 
30. Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame 
31. Willem Dafoe in Motherless Brooklyn
32. James Ransome in It: Chapter 2 
33. Wesley Snipes in Dolemite is My Name
34. Ben Mendolsohn in Captain Marvel
35. Alessandro Nivola in The Art of Self-Defense
36. Paul Rudd in Avengers: Endgame
37. Stephen Merchant in Jojo Rabbit 
38. Winston Duke in Us
39. Nicholas Hammond in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
40. Christopher Plummer in Knives Out
41. Richard Madden in 1917 - 3.5
42. Andrew Scott in 1917
43. Benedict Cumberbatch in 1917
44. Mark Strong in 1917
45. Tzi Ma in The Farewell 
46. Robert Pattinson in The King
47. Archie Yates in Jojo Rabbit
48. Robert De Niro in Joker
49. Charles Baker in El Camino
50. Vince Vaughn in Fighting With My Family
51. Bradley Cooper in Avengers: Endgame
52. Ben Mendelsohn in The King
53. Keanu Reeves in Always Be My Maybe
54. Ray Liotta in Marriage Story
55. Zahn McClarnon in Doctor Sleep
56. Lucas Hedges in Honey Boy
57. Asier Etxeandia in Pain and Glory
58. Sean Harris in The King
59. Thomas Haden Church in The Peanut Butter Falcon
60. Greg Hsu in A Sun 
61. Roberto Benigni in Pinocchio
    
62. Jeff Goldblum in The Mountain
63. Joel Edgerton in The King
64. Nick Frost in Fighting With My Family
65. Jack Dylan Grazer in Shazam 
66. Michael Shannon in Knives Out
67. Samuel L. Jackson in Captain Marvel
68. Lucas Hedges in Waves
69. Jiang Yongbo in The Farewell
70. Bokeem Woodbine in Queen & Slim
71. Al Pacino in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
72. Leonardo Sbaraglia in Pain and Glory
73. Eric Stoltz in Her Smell
74. Jay Ryan in It: Chapter 2
75. Evan Alex in Us
76. Vince Vaughn in Dragged Across Concrete
77. Vilhelm Blomgren in Midsommar
78. James McAvoy in It: Chapter 2
79. Josh Brolin in Avengers: Endgame 
80. Kevin Garnett in Uncut Gems
81. Jamie Bell in Rocketman
82. Bruce Dern in The Mustang
83. Tracy Letts in Ford V. Ferrari
84. Rob Morgan in Just Mercy
85. George MacKay in Ophelia
86. Lakeith Stanfield in Uncut Gems 
87. Tom Waits in The Dead Don't Die 
88. Dan Stevens in Her Smell
89. O'Shea Jackson Jr. in Long Shot
90. Ralph Fiennes in Official Secrets
91. Jacob Tremblay in Doctor Sleep - 3
92. Judd Hirsch in Uncut Gems
93. Keith Stanfield in Knives Out
94. Alfie Allen in Jojo Rabbit 
95. John Slattery in Avengers: Endgame
96. Harvey Keitel in The Irishman
97. Jake Gyllenhaal in Spider-man: Far From Home 
98. Lance Reddick in John Wick 3
99. Don Cheadle in Avengers: Endgame 
100. Kristian Bruun in Ready Or Not
101. Bruce Dern in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
102. Bryan Cranston in El Camino 
103. Brian Tyree Henry in Joker
104. Ian McShane in John Wick 3
105. Colin Firth in 1917
106. Adam Brody in Ready or Not
107. Tom Bower in Light of My Life
108. Tim Blake Nelson in The Report
109. Ben Whishaw in Little Joe
110. Mark Ruffalo in Avengers: Endgame
111. John Malkovich in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
112. Jason Mitchell in The Mustang
113. Bruce Dern in The Peanut Butter Falcon
114. Caleb Landry Jones in The Dead Don't Die
115. Danny Glover in The Dead Don't Die
116. Bobby Cannavale in The Irishman 
117. Sebastian Stan in Avengers: Endgame
118. Keegan-Michael Key in Dolemite is My Name
119. Richard Madden in Rocketman
120. Moisés Arias in Monos
121. Kurt Russell in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
122. Ray McKinnon in Ford V. Ferrari
123. Henry Czerny in Ready or Not
124. Jon Favreau in Spider-man: Far From Home
125. Jonathan Banks in El Camino
126. Will Smith in Aladdin
127. Tom Holland in Avengers: Endgame
128. Chen Han in The Farewell
129. Rob Delaney in Bombshell 
130. Keanu Reeves in Toy Story 4
131. Timothy Olyphant in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
132. Kodi Smit-McPhee in Dolemite is My Name 
133. Craig Robinson in Dolemite is My Name
134. Mike Epps in Dolemite is My Name
135. Mark O'Brien in Ready or Not
136. Jeremy Strong in Serenity
137. Adam Driver in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
138. Clifton Collins Jr. in Waves
139. Anthony Mackie in Avengers: Endgame
140. Scott MacArthur in El Camino
141. Corey Stoll in The Report
142. Tommy Lee Jones in Ad Astra
143. Damian Lewis in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
144. Teach Grant in It: Chapter 2
145. Dwayne Johnson in Fighting With My Family
146. Chiwetel Ejiofor in The Lion King
147. Danny Glover in The Last Black Man in San Francisco
148. Donald Sutherland in Ad Astra
149. Tracy Letts in Little Women 
150. Stephen Merchant in Fighting With My Family
151. Tom Courtenay in The Aeronauts
152. Jake Gyllenhaal in Velvet Buzzsaw
153. Luke Perry in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
154. Ted Levine in The Report
155. Anthony Daniels in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
156. Isiah Mustafa in It: Chapter 2
157. Scott Shepherd in El Camino 
158. Frank Oz in Knives Out
159. Richard E. Grant in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
160. John Hawkes in The Peanut Butter Falcon
161. Cliff Curtis in Doctor Sleep
162. Idris Elba in Hobbs and Shaw
163. Andy Bean in It: Chapter 2
164. Larry Hankin in El Camino
165. Bill Duke in High Flying Bird
166. Pedro Pascal in Triple Frontier
167. Tim Allen in Toy Story 4
168. Omar Dorsey in Harriet
169. Martin Starr in Spider-man: Far From Home
170. Jon Bernthal in Ford V. Ferrari
171. Billy Magnussen in Velvet Buzzsaw
172. Ian McDiarmid in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
173. John Lithgow in Late Night
174. Tom Roth in Luce
175. Thomas Kretschmann in Dragged Across Concrete
176. William Jackson Harper in Midsommar
177. Steve Buscemi in The Dead Don't Die
178. Henry Hunter Hall in Harriet
179. Bruno Ganz in A Hidden Life
180. Josh Lucas in Ford V. Ferrari
181. Austin Butler in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
182. Matt Jones in El Camino
183. Denis Lavant in The Mountain
184. Keegan-Michael Key in Toy Story 4
185. Jordan Peele in Toy Story 4
186. Mathias Schoenaerts in A Hidden Life
187. Stephen Graham in Rocketman
188. Jamie Foxx in Just Mercy
189. Tim Robbins in Dark Waters
190. Clarke Peters in Harriet
191. Michael Jai White in Dragged Across the Concrete
192. Bill Nighy in Detective Pikachu
193. Ibrahima Traore in Atlantics
194. Emile Hirsch in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
195. Babou Ceesay in The Best of Enemies
196. Chris Cooper in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 
197. Carlo Cecchi in Martin Eden
198. Leslie Odom Jr. in Harriet
199. Mark Strong in Shazam
200. Charlie Hunnam in Triple Frontier
201. Jonny Mars in Bacurau
202. David Zelner in The Art of Self-Defense
203. Bruce Willis in Motherless Brooklyn
204. Haley Joel Osment in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
205. Jason Suedeikis in Booksmart
206. Matt Smith in Official Secrets
207. Kyle MacLachlan in High Flying Bird
208. Jon Hamm in Lucy in the Sky 
209. Gary Oldman in The Laundromat
210. Antonio Banderas in The Laundromat
211. Patrick Stewart in The Kid Who Would Be King
212. Andy Serkis in Long Shot
213. Bob Odenkirk in Little Women - 2.5
214. Bill Skarsgard in It: Chapter 2 
215. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson in The Vanishing
216. Clive Owen in Ophelia
217. Jim Parsons in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
218. Charles Dance in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
219. Daveed Diggs in Velvet Buzzsaw
220. Hamish Patel in The Aeronauts
221. Julio Diaz in La Llorona
     
222. Jaeden Martell in Knives Out
223. Bobby Cannavale in Motherless Brooklyn
224. Rufus Sewell in Judy
225. Jonathan Groff in Frozen II
226. F. Murray Abraham in How to Train Your Dragon 3
227. Billy Dee Williams in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
228. John Boyega in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
229. Jude Law in Captain Marvel
230. Oscar Isaac in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
231. Samuel L. Jackson in Spider-man: Far From Home
232. Billy Eichner in The Lion King
233. Seth Rogen in The Lion King
234. Rhys Stone in Sorry We Missed You
235. Bruce McGill in The Best of Enemies
236. Ken Watanabe in Detective Pikachu
237. Bob Odenkirk in Long Shot
238. Laurie Davidson in Cats
239. Navid Negahban in Aladdin 
240. Jason Clarke in Serenity
241. James Earl Jones in The Lion King
242. Keegan-Michael Key in The Lion King
243. Tony Hale in Toy Story 4
244. Hugh Dancy in Late Night
245. Ross Brewster in Sorry We Missed You
246. Finn Wittrock in Judy
247. Jon Hamm in Richard Jewell 
248. Sterling K. Brown in Frozen II
249. Steven MacKintosh in Rocketman
250. Henry Thomas in Doctor Sleep
251. Garrett Hedlund in Triple Frontier
252. Idris Elba in Cats
253. Bradley Whitford in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
254. Josh Gad in Frozen II
255. Alec Baldwin in Motherless Brooklyn - 2
256. Billy Magnussen in Aladdin 
257. Noah Segan in Knives Out
258. Jacob Batalon in Spider-man: Far From Home
259. John Oliver in The Lion King
260. Tony Revolori in Spider-man: Far From Home
261. Thomas Middleditch in Godzilla: King of the Monsters
262. Jason Derulo in Cats
263. Joe Alwyn in Harriet
264. Domhnall Gleeson in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
265. Ike Barinholtz in Late Night
266. Will Poulter in Midsommar
267. Robbie Fairchild in Cats
268. Ryan Reynolds in Hobbs and Shaw
269. Mark Dacascos in John Wick 3
270. Dan Stevens in Lucy in the Sky  
271. Rhys Ifans in Official Secrets
272. Skyler Gisondo in Booksmart
273. Noah Galvin in Booksmart
274. Marwen Kenzari in Aladdin - 1.5
275. Ian McKellen in Cats
276. Bill Camp in Dark Waters
277. Chris Geere in Detective Pikachu
278. Jack Reynor in Midsommar
279. Rafe Spall in Just Mercy
280. James Corden in Cats - 1

Next Year: 2019 Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2019: Robert Forster in El Camino

Robert Forster did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ed Galbraith in El Camino.

Upon the release of El Camino, the low key yet terrific epilogue to the series Breaking Bad, viewers were subjected to a cruel whiplash. This as we just finished enjoying another turn by the wonderfully unique Robert Forster, we sadly learned of his death marking that as one of his final performances. This being a loss of a great character actor in Robert Forster, who wasn't given enough chances to really show off his talent, though it was always appreciated when he did. Also will note here, that my review of his Oscar nominated turn in Jackie Brown, is in the severe need of an update. Anyway though let's take a look at his work here, that is actually a reprise of his work in Breaking Bad, which spoilers for the series, he played the man who specialized in making wanted men disappear without a trace, for a price. Although this might be a shorter performance, he only has two scenes, I think it is actually a more substantial performance given that for teacher turned meth kingpin Walter White, it was strictly business. We get something else here with Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) on the run from the law, after having escaped being a prisoner of militant Aryans, trying to find some escape through a vacuum cleaner salesman he's sure is the man with a special set of skills.

Forster I'll say is someone who doesn't need to try that hard to be compelling on its own, even seeing him discuss a potential vacuum sale is a lot more interesting than would be for most actors as there is such a vibrancy to his presence as a performer. The greatness of his work though is in this scene through such a brilliantly subdued turn that does a whole lot with so little, in more ways than one. This as Jesse approaches Forster's salesman in his empty shop, by closing his shop for him. Forster's initial portrayal of just a shop owner gently reminding the man that his shop is open, is as just an average vacuum store salesman nothing more. Forster has a great nearly deadpan expression of just ever so slight confusion as Jesse attempts to speak to the man and insists that "you're the guy". There's a great bit of subtle genius here by Forster though as only after Jesse accidentally reveals the scars of his imprisonment, is it that Forster shifts from the slight confusion to this clear knowing of a different kind of businessman. There though in this is just the brief glint of sympathy in his eyes, that is fantastic bit of acting by Forster. Forster turns on a dime with so effectively though otherwise in becoming wholly convincing as the specialist who makes people disappear with his so very exact delivery of explaining to Jesse that they can have a deal, only if Jesse is willing to pay double his usual price. Forster is great in revealing the great detached method that isn't quite unemotional, but rather this marvelous way of acting towards the situation like an older mechanic would be in dealing with an unpaying customer. This as Jesse is unable to deliver on the needed amount of cash, leading to Forster's wonderful delivery of a few words of wisdom that in his delivering is this perfect combination of both genuine and dismissive as he advises Jesse to use the money to run away. When Jesse though attempts to restate his plight, Forster is again fantastic in the nuance he brings in the slightly more forceful way he shuts it down in the way he reminds Jesse that he made his choices. This as Forster grants the sense of a hidden sympathy, but also a sympathy that only goes so far. Forster's work though also becomes comic gold though as Ed calls the police in order to get Jesse to leave. His just ever so slightly bemused expression is hilarious as he doesn't flinch slightly as Jesse lists all the reasons why Ed wouldn't have called the police. This until the police do arrive with the pitch perfect delivery of Ed's satisfaction at noting the police's swift response time. This leaving Jesse to run away, and just one more great bit of low key comedy for Forster, as he so earnestly gives the police a false report, as the unassuming salesman again, with his ridiculous version of Jesse as a extremely tall man with a tattoo of a strange insect. That last point something Forster accentuates in his delivery to great effect. Jesse eventually gets his money and Ed offers him a new life in Alaska. It also grants us one more great scene for Forster, making him a bit more than a one scene wonder. This as Ed once again gives Jesse the rundown as a true professional, with Forster's way of having this ease while also a strict method about it. This now with just a bit more of a genuine inspiration that Forster inflects in the words in reminding Jesse at his second chance in life. This ends though as Jesse gives Ed a letter of goodbye to the son of Jesse's old girlfriend who was murdered by the Aryans. Forster again does so much in just the minor change in his eyes, this that conveys the small yet poignant hint that Ed is moved by Jesse's letter, just as he showed the slight sympathy within his reserve earlier. This as Forster so quietly yet powerfully reveals the modicum of humanity in the man as he helps Jesse. Although his role is indeed small, Forster makes a remarkable impact in what is technically a role there to serve a function. In just his few lines and minutes of screen time though, Forster calls far beyond the call of his duty in his funny yet also subtly emotional work that is a welcome reminder of his talent.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2019

And the Nominees Were Not:

Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Endgame

Chris Evans in Avengers: Endgame

Sterling K. Brown in Waves

Song Kang-ho in Parasite

Choi Woo-shik in Parasite

Sam Rockwell in Jojo Rabbit

Robert Forster in El Camino 

For prediction purposes:  

Downey Jr. from Avengers

Song from Parasite

Best Supporting Actor 1997: Results

5. Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting- Williams although struggles a bit to be wholly believable in terms of the "history" of the character, does fantastic in articulating the character's wisdom through difficult experience.

4. Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets- Greg Kinnear is very good in all his scenes and shows the changes of his character well, even in amidst of bad writing.

3. Anthony Hopkins in Amistad- Hopkins is very good as John Quincy Adams, playing the part as it should be played, with a very good final speech.

2. Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights- Burt Reynolds is very good in Boogie Nights making Jack Horner into such a loving and caring father figure.

1. Robert Forster in Jackie Brown- Forster plays his role pitch perfectly sharing marvelous chemistry with Pam Grier.

Deserving Performances:
Kevin Spacey in L.A. Confidential

Best Supporting Actor 1997: Robert Forster in Jackie Brown

Robert Forster received his first Oscar nomination for playing Max Cherry in Jackie Brown.

Jackie Brown deserves to be mentioned with Tarantino's very best, in his tale of a flight attendant trying to manage both cops and criminals in order for her to survive.

 

Forster made his return to "A" cinema via Tarantino giving him the second chance of a lifetime in the role of Max Cherry, to the point that Tarantino turned down Robert De Niro for the role (who was still cast as burnout/Criminal Louis) in order to enable Forster to play this part. And it is hard not see why Forster is really just perfect for this role in every respect. We get that right away as he enters into the picture as a Bail Bondsman who becomes in contact with cunning career arms dealer Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson), after one of his mules gets arrested. The chemistry, or really anti-chemistry, he has with Jackson is pretty pitch perfect this as Ordell comes in as aggressive and more than anything dismissive of Forster's Max Cherry. On the other hand Forster is fantastic in portraying not a hint of intimidation or discouragement from Ordell. His reactions are that of a guy who has seen too many criminals to name, knows all their different tactics, and in turn is just dealing with another guy as he would the rest. What I love is Forster's voice that might as well be a character all on its own, as it is so distinct, and just so perfect for this part. The evidence of this is immediate with all of Ordell's "talk", Forster's delivery is that of straight business. Anything that Ordell throws at him is countered with Forster just telling him like it is, not aggressively, not dismissively, just as it is. He does it straight easy, and with such a palatable sense of a guy who has been there and done this, and it is just another go with him. 

 

Although where it seems like a guy just here to perform a function, though doing so in a way that with such history, this shifts to much more when he is tasked again by Ordell to bailout another mule of his, after Ordell killed his previous mule, this being the titular Jackie Brown (Pam Grier). This which shakes Max's world which we get as he watches the slow walkout of Jackie from the prison, and I love Forster's reaction. He puts just enough on it, not too much that wouldn't be right for a man like Max, it is rather you get the sense that he's seeing someone very special to him, but he still is just about keeping it to himself. Then when giving Jackie the ride home technically Max is quite forward by asking her out for a drink before doing so, despite the circumstances. Forster's delivery I think is something special because he is so straight forward with it again as he's Max not hesitating but also not going overboard with the request. He reveals us someone who has learned and if he's interested he says it without overtures, he just says it. Although their first meeting is less than romantic as Jackie is understandably more concerned with her pending criminal penalties and possibly worse her pending meeting with Ordell. Forster is great in the scene by showing a slightly different side, he's again giving very good advice however the advice is rendered with slight modification of his delivery of just a bit warmth, and his eyes showing someone who definitely hopes he can help Jackie. 

 

After a tense night of narrow escape, while also setting up a more permanent escape, from Ordell using a gun she temporarily pilfered from Max, we have what is just a scene that is both what takes the film to another level, but also what makes both Grier and Forster's performances so special. This as the two of them talk about her situation, but also just talk to one another. The chemistry with Grier and Forster is really one of the very best you might see in a film honestly, even though it is but an aspect of the film. The two are just so natural with one another in conveying the mutual attraction to one another without really even verbalizing it. In this scene they hit the plot points, but what are more important is the way they are both able to exude this sort of connection the two of them both having started to definitely age and live through a lot of things in their life, not necessarily coming up to exactly where they would've expected to be. It isn't with this great anguish, though a bit more sadness in Jackie than Max, but there is such a warmth both exude in this moment that create such a natural affection that is just so incredibly endearing. My favorite moment being, a moment suggested by Forster himself, talking about aging related to his hairline which he openly says he had changed. I love Forster's manner in the admittance isn't with shame or ego, it is rather with this kind of self-actualization. He says he understands it was to make himself feel better, which it did, and in turn Forster discusses all of this with the relaxed ease of a man who is comfortable with making decisions and admitting to the nature of the decisions. 

Forster is wonderful as he makes Max this kind sage character, that importantly is so believable, and so very human despite seeming just like a great guy. What makes him this way though is the way Forster is able to articulate someone who understands faults and flaws, yet knows how to handle them. This in his scene of describing to Jackie his intention of getting out of the bail and bond business after spending a futile smelly night in a potential runaway's apartment. Forster's performance is so great because he doesn't deliver this with this sorrow or anger, it rather with this blunt maturity that he brings to the part so beautifully. The guy is just talking about thinking about this life and thinking if he wants to keep doing or not. He puts just the right touch of emotion on it, that he does care, but it is as someone who has learned life lessons throughout his life and putting them into use. In turn he does his best to help and advise Jackie in her plan to cheat Ordell and the cops in the same switcheroo of money scheme. Again I love Forster's approach because in these moments he isn't a conspirator, though he is technically that, but rather just a friend listening to Jackie and giving feedback best he can. When he watches aspect of her plan being implemented he's wonderful in portraying so much in granting both a sense of curiosity and admiration as he sees Jackie attempting to implement her plan. The final scene is sheer perfection between both Grier and Forster, where everything has gone to Jackie's plan. The scene is incredible so romantic, yet so romantic in such a low key way. Forster's first easing of Jackie's concerns stating that at his age he has to be making his own decision at that she didn't manipulate him, is again with this beautiful blunt reality of a guy who just knows who he is and knows the score. When Jackie prods him a bit more to actually come with her, Forster's little smile carries so much in it, and he shows so much love for her in just that moment. They're moment of finally kissing is one of the most earned depicted in a film, because it is just so natural of the two who have never said they loved each other, but always said it in their interactions. Their chemistry just being that good, and again based so powerfully on the two understanding each other. The final moment of Forster's being a marvelous sendoff as he really becomes his most expressive in his reactions and in that moment shows every second thought about going with Jackie, a sense of how much love he does feel for he, but still the sense of a man who knows who he is, and what choice he has to make. This is an absolutely brilliant performance by Robert Forster as he takes a great role and makes the most of it. I think actually there were probably a lot of pitfalls in making Max to overt, or too modest, yet Forster finds just the right path to make such a perfectly tangible mature character here. A character who seems so natural in this world. Most importantly though Forster creates such a moving and endearing romance via his great chemistry with Grier, and doing it with such unfussy ease that just feels right for the memorable man that is Max Cherry.

Best Supporting Actor 1997

And the Nominees Were:

Robert Forster in Jackie Brown

Anthony Hopkins in Amistad

Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting

Burt Reynolds in Boogie Nights

Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets

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