Non-Oscars: Best Supporting Actress

I have not yet seen Sally Hawkins in Blue Jasmine, nor Julia Roberts in August: Osage County.  I thought that Jennifer Lawrence was fine in American Hustle, but not the eye-opening performance many found.  June Squibb was an absolute scene-stealer in the best way in Nebraska and earned a well deserved nomination.  Newcomer Lupita Nyong'o gave the best showing of the five with her difficult role in 12 Years a Slave.

Melonie Diaz, Fruitvale Station
Melonie Diaz gave an incredibly impressive debut in Fruitvale Station.  She plays Oscar Grant's long suffering girlfriend.  And in the hands of Diaz this character certainly suffers, but she also loves and supports.  This is a smart character that is not just dependent on a man, Diaz gifts her with a lot of strength that is important later on in the movie.  Diaz has great chemistry with Michael B. Jordan and that incredibly expands the world of the lead character.  One of many performers that I really hope to see again soon.

Adepero Oduye, 12 Years a Slave

Crying on film is sometimes seen as cheap and manipulative.  It is certainly true that actors will cry for an Oscar, but there are still performers who can break down and make the audience feel.  I remember Adepero Oduye's character vividly, even with her limited screentime.  Oduye gives one of the most harrowing portrayals of a grieving mother that I have ever seen.  There is just something about the way she constantly cries after being separated from her child that is so tragic.  And then there is her standing up to Solomon Northrup for her feelings.  After being yelled at to stop crying she turns around and lashes out on the film's leading character.  It is one of the most powerful moments of an incredibly powerful film.

Margot Robbie, Wolf of Wall Street
There are certainly sex bomb roles that rely solely on sex appeal.  Girls are definitely cast just because they look pretty.  Then there is Margot Robbie who is portraying a very sexual role and forces you to acknowledge her acting.  Margot Robbie completely owns every scene she is in and is an intimidating force against the much more experienced Leonardo DiCaprio.  There is a fearlessness to her character and an intimidation that sticks with you.  This is the type of character that can affect the superficial Jordan Belfort.  Robbie in the role of a victim really has some incredible strength that is one of the most memorable things about the long film.

Octavia Spencer, Fruitvale Station
She may be too young for the role and may not have much screen time, but you don't care because Octavia Spencer owns every second of screen time as Oscar Grant's mother.  One of the film's many highlights is a scene between an incarcerated Oscar Grant and his mother.  The scene is reliant on its two actors and Octavia Spencer gives a tour de force performance.  She shows love to her son, but she also shows disappointment.  There is something that sticks with you about Octavia Spencer's expressions in the jail.  There is so much emotion coming out of her small performance that fuels the rest of the movie.  Octavia Spencer helps the audience understand that Oscar Grant was a man with a mother who loved him and demanded better of him.  Which is of course so tragic that he lived up to that, but not for long enough.

Oprah Winfrey, The Butler

Early buzz was all around Oprah in this role.  She may have been overhyped, I remember seeing this with high expectations and not thinking that her performance was anything special.  But after looking back upon my two viewings this really was a great performance.  It was not a big, showy role but she supports the movie.  She completes the family that is made up of Forest Whitaker and David Oyelowo. She shows conflict in Whitaker's home life while maintaining the family's connection with Oyelowo.  Oprah really represents the home life and family aspects of the Civil Rights movement.  She shows a side that isn't fighting externally, but struggling with some very relatable performances.  Getting her to act again was great for this movie.

Other Great Supporting Performances:

Alison Brie (Kings of Summer), Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug), Jena Malone (The Hunger Game: Catching Fire), Sarah Paulson (12 Years a Slave), Alfre Woodard (12 Years a Slave)

Non-Oscars: Best Supporting Actress

The Oscar nominees were: Amy Adams, Sally Field, Anne Hathaway, Helen Hunt and Jacki Weaver.  Hunt is the only one I haven't seen and Weaver was a big surprise.  The award is Hathaway's to lose, but Adams and Field are ideal contenders.  Here are my picks for Best Supporting Actress Not Nominated for an Academy Award.

Samantha Barks, Les Miserables

I fell in love with Samantha Barks as Eponine in the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert.  I had watched that version so much and I was surprised how her performance as the same character differed on screen.  Samantha Barks takes advantage of being on screen to be much more personal and less grand.  Her character is allowed to be fleshed out a bit more too as we get why she is so obsessed with Marius.  She is neglected and has nothing in her life and just needs something.  Barks portrays the ultimate in unrequited love.  You can't help but want to save her and make everything right, but her life just gets more and more tragic.  Barks leaves a big impact in an impressive ensemble and has an incredible singing voice.

Anne Hathaway, Dark Knight Rises

I did not care for Dark Knight Rises, I was really let down by it.  However I liked everything about Anne Hathaway's Catwoman.  She was exciting and stole the show.  Hathaway was a brilliant bit of casting as she can embody the physicality and slyness.  It is a layered performance as she is a very smart character playing much dumber and helpless.  There is always a lot going on with the character and I can't think of anyone else who can convey that better.  Hathaway will win for Les Miserables, and deservedly so, but this performance is just as good and demonstrates Hathaway's versatility as a performer.

Michelle Pfeiffer, People Like Us

It has been far too long since Michelle Pfeiffer was in a good movie.  I was relieved to see her in a decent role for a change.  Her beauty is definitely toned down here as she plays normal and broken very believably.  She is captivating without having to be likable.  Her performance provides the audience into a look at Chris Pine's childhood as you can tell she was not the easiest mother to grow up with.  She has some very tender scenes.  The script does have some well placed contrivances, but the veteran actress never relies on them.  A stand-out in a terrific ensemble.

Olivia Thirlby, Dredd

A lot of movies seemed to try and incorporate a strong action female this year.  Some succeeded with characters like Katniss and Selina Kyle and others failed with Princess Merida and Kristen Stewart's Snow White. But Olivia Thirlby in Dredd is the most one of the most progressive action movie female characters ever.  Thirbly is not there as a love interest, she has a role to play on a mission.  She is believable  and competent while being naturally sympathetic and questioning.  She has the depth that Karl Urban's stoic lead doesn't and Thirlby definitely holds her own against the towering figure.  She has a fascinating character arc and leaves an impact.  You completely forget that you are watching Juno's best friend.  A very underrated performance from an unfortunately forgotten movie.

Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect

I have never witnessed an audience respond to a performance as much as Rebel Wilson's show stealing role as Fat Amy.  This is a fairly one joke character with a actress who elevates it to memorable and entertaining.  Wilson just has an energy to her and such perfect comedic timing.  She can sing and her personality is always being showcased.  There is a reason all of the marketing for Pitch Perfect features her, she owns this movie and is a stand out among other great performances.  I hope she starts getting lead roles, because supporting roles like these don't seem to be able to contain her anymore.

Other Great Supporting Performances:

Helena Bonham Carter (Les Miserables), Tabu (Life of Pi), Anna Hutchison (Cabin in the Woods), Kelly Reilly (Flight), Olivia Wilde (People Like Us), Emily Blunt (Looper), America Ferrera (End of Watch), Susan Sarandon (Arbitrage), Judi Dench (Skyfall), Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Alison Brie (Five-Year Engagement), Charlize Theron (Prometheus)

Best Supporting Actress Predictions (as of 12/14/12)

Supporting actress is a very tight category.  You can count out Ann Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Kerry Washington, and several other surprises.

There are four set nominees.  But the fifth slot is the one that is up in the air.  I still hold some hope for Samantha Barks.  If Les Mis hits with voters she definitely could upset.  However this is her first movie and she is competing against another actress in her own movie, who is a lock to win.  Nicole Kidman has entered the race this week with surprise nominations in both the SAGs and the Globes.  She is one of those performers that just usually comes up around Oscar time.  I would predict that the fifth slot goes to Maggie Smith.  It looks like Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has a shot at picture, she could be the acting representative from that ensemble.  Plus the veteran actress was also the lead in Quartet, voters often reward for multiple roles.

The remaining four slots seem set.  Despite missing out on an important SAG nomination I would not discount Amy Adams.  However The Master is not a very strong contender and her role is not the largest.  While Adams always seems up for an Oscar nomination she is one that is the weakest.  I would say she is a lock with some vulnerability.

Helen Hunt will receive a nomination for The Sessions, the film does not have enough steam to carry her to a win.  Lincoln may be successful enough to carry Sally Field to an upset.  However although she is guaranteed her first nomination is decades, it is doubtful she will win the elusive third Oscar.

Of course the win seems to be guaranteed to go to Anne Hathaway.  All of the marketing and buzz around Les Mis seems centered around her small but pivotal role.  This is said to be the most emotional scene of the year and the tragedy of it should lead this consistent, but often overlooked performer to the gold.

Best Supporting Actress Predictions (as of 11/13/12)

Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

Pros: She has matured and proven herself many times as an actress, gave a best in show performance earlier this year in The Dark Knight Rises and she has been the star that all of the trailers has been highlighting

Cons: While an impactful role it is a small role, some people may not take her seriously enough yet

Sally Field, Lincoln

Pros: A veteran actress who is making a comeback as one of the most famous first ladies in a very well received film

Cons: Has already won twice, doubtful she will win again.  Will definitely get nominated though

Helen Hunt, The Sessions

Pros: Another actress making a comeback this year.  This is an emotional role that also showcases here beauty

Cons: Helen Hunt may have been out of the public eye for too long, this movie might not register with the Academy

Amy Adams, The Master

Pros: Always a popular actress around Oscar time, gives one of her best performances

Cons: The role was small and the movie may end up being forgotten

Scarlett Johansson, Hitchcock

Pros: Scarlett is usually up for a nomination, it is her time and playing a former movie star usually gets Oscar attention.  Having been in The Avengers earlier this year can't hurt her either

Cons: For whatever reason she is still looked down upon, this role may not be large enough to reward, don't know if this movie will even work

Runner-Ups

Samantha Barks, Les Miserables

Pros: She was so good and popular as Eponine in the 25th Anniversary that she is reprising it in her film debut.  This can be a show stealing role and the beautiful young actress certainly has experience at it

Cons: Her name hasn't been brought up in any of the advertisements, all of the buzz is around Anne, it is hard to get a nomination in your first movie

Kerry Washington, Django Unchained

Pros: A dependable actress who has never had an Oscar role before, playing the object of affection can do well in this category  Also Tarantino can write memorable female characters

Cons: Yet again, how big is this role?  They may reward other actresses before her

Maggie Smith, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Pros: Legendary actress who hasn't been nominated in a while, this category may be open enough for her to get in

Cons: Also in contention for Quartet, this will not be one of the more popular movies in contention

Kelly Reilly, Flight

Pros: A well-received performance in a very important role.  If voters respond to Flight she very well could get noticed

Cons: The movie needs to do well for her to do well, there isn't enough buzz around this role and she isnt well-known enough to get in on her own

Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy

Pros: An actress people like in a sexy, trashy, unlikable role

Cons: This movie has not resonated with many, may take a better role for her to be welcomed back