Random Noise

Oscar Time: Best Supporting Actor

[Originally posted on MySpace]

So, last year I decided that I would watch all the movies nominated for the top Oscar awards and pick my favorites. It was a lot of fun, so I’ve done it again this year. The next few posts are going to be all about what I thought of the nominees, and who I would vote for if I was an academy member.

First up, best actor in a supporting role. Here are my picks, in reverse order:

#5: Djimon Hounsou – Blood Diamond

Djimon plays a Sierra Leone man (Solomon) who’s family is torn apart. His wife and daughters flee an attack on his village and his son is kidnapped by rebels. He forced by the rebels to work in a diamond mine where he finds (and hides) a huge diamond. The mine is raided by police and after ending up in Jail he meets Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio). Danny overhears the story of the large rock and offers to help Solomon locate his family in return for the stone.

I’ve got to be honest – this was one (of a few!) movies I was not looking forward to watching. Every aspect of the story and the performances was predictable. We learn barely anything about the background and motives behind the characters, and their personalities are shallow and uninteresting. That being said, I did like two interesting aspects of Djimon’s character. The first was how dedicated he was to locating his family. Everything else in his world was secondary and when he meets up with his wife and daughters at the refugee camp, this point is really driven home in an emotional scene. The second was his good nature. In a country full of barbarism Djimon tried heroically to be a good role model for his son. He was willing to sacrifice everything to help educate his son to one day become a doctor. While these are moving qualities, the overall performance isn’t Oscar worthy in my opinion.

#4: Alan Arkin – Little Miss Sunshine

Alan Arkin plays “Grandpa”, an opinionated father to Greg Kinnear (Richard). He’s been kicked out of Sunset Manor (an old folks’ home) and likes to snort heroin and talk about sex. He also teaches Olive her dance routine for the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant.

I really liked the Grandpa character. He’s crass & opinionated, but respectful of Olive and wants nothing but the best for her. While travelling to California, Olive is listening to her headphones while Grandpa gives advice to Duane (”Fuck a lot of women, Duane. Not just one woman, a lot of women. Are you getting any? You can tell me Duane, are you getting any? No? Jesus! You’re what? 15?! My god man! You should be getting that young stuff!”) and talks about the old women at Sunset Manor (”Ho ho! I had second degree burns on my Johnson I kid you not.”). But when Olive takes off her headphones he tells her they were just talking about politics. Later, in the Hotel room, Olive’s concerned that she’s not going to win the competition, she’s in tears because she thinks she’s a loser. But Grandpa convinces her that she’s not, that she’s beautiful and the only real losers are those that don’t even try.

What’s really interesting is how Olive’s performance at the beauty pagent reminds you of Grandpa’s character. Grandpa’s personality & the impression he leaves with you resurfaces here and it really speaks to how well his character was portrayed.

#3: Eddie Murphy – Dreamgirls

Eddie Murphy plays James “Thunder” Early, a popular pop star who dreams of becoming an international sensation. But in the end, his inability to try new material and appeal to a broader audience ends up holding back his career.

Now, I really didn’t like Dreamgirls in general (you’ll see this theme in my other reviews I’m sure), but Eddie did have really good moments that I think deserve credit… Yes, in general he’s that same loudmouth Eddie character we’ve seen time and time again, a bit loony, short sighted and impulsive, but I really like how he shines at some parts in the movie… especially after he records the duet “Patience” (which was nominated for Best Song).

You see, he goes out on a limb with this song, recording something with a completely new sound in the hope he can please Curtis (Jamie Foxx), and finally break out of the musical rut he’s in. When he presents it to Curtis, he’s excited, convinced that it’s that new sound he’s looking for. But Curtis shoots him down, saying “… still, it’s a message song.” Everyone looks at him in disbeleif, they’re convinced that the song captures the mood of the nation, but Curtis says that’s not the point – “Music is supposed to sell. But don’t worry about it, we’ll find you some new material.” Eddie is devestated. It’s written all over his face. After hearing that, he becomes disconnected from everyone else. It’s Christmas but he decides to shoot up. In his eyes, it looks like he’s lost the will to keep on trying. It’s really quite sad, and something I didn’t expect from Eddie.

There are other moments in the film as well, but these alone aren’t good enough to get my Oscar vote.

#2: Mark Wahlberg – The Departed

Mark plays “Dignam” a police captain in charge of a Boston undercover unit in the Massachusetts State Police. Around the office, he’s crude, disrespectful, witty and honest. He’s got a rapid fire conversation style and doesn’t worry about the opinions of others. Here’s a good example, when he briefs Ellerby (Alec Baldwin) and company on his undercover operation:

Dignam: Ok, my people are out there. They’re like fucking Indians. You’re not going to see them, you’re not going to hear about them. Except through me, and Captain Queenan. You will not ever know the identity of undercover people. Unfortunately this shit hole has more leaks than the Iraqi navy.

Ellerby: Fuck yourself.

Dignam: I’m tired from fucking your wife.

Ellerby: How’s your mother.

Dignam: Good, she’s tired from fucking my father.

This style of dialog really makes me smile, but also the confidence in how it’s delivered really speaks to how dedicated Dignam is to the police force. This dedication shines through at the end of the movie, but also makes me excited every time I see Dignam walk into a scene. You know his character isn’t going to hold back, and will light up the conversation. Part of this is good writing (or improvisation if reports are true) and part is outstanding delivery. I really like the characters Mark plays (back to I [Heart] Huckabees, Four Brothers, and 3 Kings) and he really did well in this role.

#1: Jackie Earle Haley – Little Children

This was a difficult movie to watch at times, especially when Jackie was on screen. He plays a pedophile named Ronnie. Ronnie’s recently moved back into the community (he’s moved in with his mother), and many in the town are uneasy knowing that he lives in their midst. Through much of the movie, we don’t get to know him very well. He’s an outcast, and really, I mean really creepy. In one scene, he goes to the town swimming pool and snorkels underwater to watch kids swim. After a dinner date he can’t restrain himself from jacking off while the girl isn’t paying attention, talking to herself in the car. It’s fucking NASTY.

There are moments when we sympathize with his plight, pretty much anytime he’s alone with his mother. It’s clear in these scenes that his mental age is that of a small child, he calls his mom “mommy” and desperately wants to be her “good boy” even though he looks to be in his 40′ies. In the end, he ends up mutilating himself because he’s so upset with the pain & suffering he’s caused around him. It’s tragic, but also hard to take in because he just can’t escape the creepiness of his character. This is why I end up giving him my Oscar pick – because even though we hate him, we hate him so vehemently that it overrides our sense of compassion.

Stay tuned – my pick for Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Film are still coming up. =) In the meantime, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Don’t care? Speak your mind!