So far this year, believe it or not, audiences were treated to as many as three delightful candidates for nominations in the Supporting races for the 2010 Oscar, none of whom are female. However, with films like Whatever Works, Funny People and Nine on the way flaunting the talents of Patricia Clarkson, Leslie Mann and Judi Dench respectively, this could rapidly change. So lets take a look at how the last six months have treated the Best Supporting Races, shall we?
Best Supporting Actor:
Starting rather quickly in the year, the Best Supporting Actor race was treated with not one but two contenders for this year's shortlist. In March's Watchmen, audiences (Well, large groups of fanboys) were dazzled by the talents of former Oscar nominee Jackie Earl Haley, and the superb character actor, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, as Rorschach and the Comedian respectively. Haley, quickly leapfrogging the competition gained raves for his performance, essentially being compared to last year's oscar winning Joker played by Heath Ledger. While there are no assurances that he will be nominated this year, Haley without a doubt left his mark. While less praised, yet just as good, Jeffrey Dean Morgan gave a fantastic performance as the hideous human being the Comedian. He gave the movie a much needed sense of pathos and doubt with his role and while he may not get love anywhwere else, he's getting some from the Hut.
April brought movies like Duplicity and The Soloist, both bearing good supporting acting. Duplicity, the 2nd most fun I've had at a theatre all year, was indebted to the work of Paul Giamatti who was great in a comedic role as a sinister CEO, providing the movie with some great moments. Jamie Foxx, of The Soloist, also gave a great effort for his role as a schizophrenic, homeless, musical prodigy, While many cried out Oscar bait!, I just sat back enjoyed his layered performance. He may catch shit from time to time, but Jamie Foxx is definitely alot more dramatically talented then he recieves credit for. So we finally arrive at this year's top Supporting Actor contender, so far of course, and it's a name you may not expect( unless you didnt catch his picture above): Jason Bateman for State of Play. He's in the movie for only around 7 minutes, but when he arrives, boy does he make an entrance. When I saw Play in theatres, I admired it, the direction was good as was Crowe and Mirren, but to be honest I was drifting off a bit. All of this changed the second Bateman, as Dominic Foy, entered stage left. He was franticly obsessive compulsive and hilarious, injecting the film with a sense of energy and livlieness, causing the audience to erupt with laughter and even applause. And then his taped confession scene came up, immediately shutting the audience up as we silently hung on to every word. I remember his part of the movie but little else, Bateman was just excellent, and you wont here many complain if he earns a nomination, though as the film came out so early, its unfortunately not 100 percent likely.
As I mentioned before, the supporting actress's so far this year are sparse, a few good performances but none with any shot whatsoever of a nomination. But I guarantee this will be changing by August, as we have Patty Clarkson and Leslie Mann coming soon.
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