Ben Affleck as "George Reeves" in Hollywoodland I would argue that the casting is the true brilliance here but that is not to say that Ben doesn't acquit himself very well nonetheless. I loved his easy charm laced with troubling self awareness. And I must say that I bought him in the period, too. That's tougher to get right for actors than people think. Chances are strong that Ben will figure into the competition for the Oscar shortlist. This won't win him the Oscar but even being in the race for a nomination is a comeback, is it not?
Steve Carell as "Frank" and Greg Kinnear as "Richard" in Little Miss Sunshine One of the terrible things about awarding actors for their troubles is that, particularly in the case of ensembles, you're ignoring that it's a collaborative artform. Lots of different people contribute to any given performance. So I'm happy to have space for them both and would like to just say that Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, and Abigail Breslin pitched in. Kinnear has an off-putting tricky role that he totally makes work without losing the audience and Carell is Carell: he makes everything he's in better. Bonus points for that voice work in Over the Hedge, too.Woody Harrelson as "Dusty" in A Prairie Home Companion It's not much of a role but it's early in the year still. He's here because he wiped off the stench left from his one note work in in last year's Prize Winner... and reminded us of what a superb light comedian he is. Kevin Kline is huffing and puffing for laughs in this comedy but Woody just gently coaxes them into life --such beautiful ease. Well done.
Stanley Tucci as "Nigel" in The Devil Wears Prada He has been cast in a lot of thankless and rather stock roles in comedies but this time he's risen above the role and added fulfilling dimension. It's the best thing he's done since Big Night.
Who would you choose?
Tags: Steve Carell, Ben Affleck, Oscars, films, Academy Awards, movies
