Best Actor In A Supporting Role
- Christian Bale - The Fighter
- Andrew Garfield - The Social Network
- Sam Rockwell - Conviction
- Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right
- Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech
The role of Mickey Ward's brother in The Fighter was one that had a lot of interest in Hollywood. After all, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon were both attached to it for a time. However, Christian Bale landed the role and, after seeing the trailer just a few weeks ago, it looks as if he has nailed it. Early audience reports from test screenings, furthermore, only confirm my opinion and this could possibly lead to The Dark Knight star getting his first nomination.
Also in the running for the first time is British actor Andrew Garfield who has been highly praised by both audiences and critics for his role in The Social Network. He's a bit of an upcoming star with a role in another Oscar contender, Never Let Me Go, this year and a forthcoming lead role in the Spider-Man reboot too. Therefore, he'll be on the tip of many film fans' tongues by the end of the year and, possibly, many of the Academy members' too.
Furthermore, the brilliant Sam Rockwell is once again in the running. He's an actor who has been criminally robbed of nominations for the last few years whether it was for his powerful performance in Moon or his heartbreaking role in The Assassination Of Jesse James. Surely, for God's sake, this has to be his year. Especially after another critically acclaimed performance in the legal drama Conviction.
But it's not all heavyweight drama and emotion one hopes because Mark Ruffalo, who gave a hilarious and heartfelt performance in The Kids Are All Right, certainly deserves some recognition for his brilliant role too. As all the other movies are big, awards season contenders, and because the Academy loves to throw a curveball, there's a strong chance that this could happen too!
However, the frontrunner at the moment is Geoffrey Rush in his role as the Australian speech therapist in The King's Speech. Not only does he play someone who is funny and slightly peculiar, but it's also a performance that is surely going to inspire and uplift many. In other words, exactly what the Academy loves. Add this to the rave reviews from Toronto and, ladies and gentleman, we could have our winner.
Who might also be contenders?
Bill Murray - Get Low - He did give a fantastic performance, but it's one that lacked in depth when compared to the movie's leading star, Robert Duvall, and so this might prevent him from getting a nomination in 2010.
Josh Brolin - True Grit - Yep, I said it. No-one else had considered it yet, but I think that Brolin has everything it takes to pull off one of the most haunting villains of the year in True Grit. Considering the last 3 Oscars in this category have gone to The Joker, The Jew Hunter and Anton Chigurh, it wouldn't surprise me if he received a nod from the Academy.
Ed Harris - The Way Back - While I'm not interesting in the film at all, The Way Back has had some buzz about it all year due to the Oscar talk surrounding the performances. The most meaty and dramatic role goes to Ed Harris and, with his undeniable talent, he could get a surprise nomination here.
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