The nominations keep chugging, and today's category is for Best Acting Ensemble. A couple of these films have already had plenty of recognition on the circuit for the group acting, a couple others deserved much more, and the fifth never stood much a chance of getting any sort of awards outside of foreign language prizes.
Birdman
Birdman
Every
actor not only has their own unique personality to realize (and they all
do so with highly calibrated precision), but must also channel levels
of Riggan Thompson's very own psyche. The extended takes allow for
some beautifully interactive performance work wherein we get to
observe subtle reactions and mini character arcs within the very same
shot over the course of an entire scene.
Boyhood
The
finest virtue of the four central performances, along with those of
the many supporting players who float in and out of the story at
various phases, is that they all have a breath of awkward naturalism
– replete with uncomfortable pauses and nervous laughter. Most
directors might consider this unpolished acting, but they ground
every scene with an almost documentarian authenticity.
Force
Majeure
The
tragicomic tone Ostlund is going for is a tricky mark to hit, but
the performances are never less than engaging. Kuhnke brilliantly
downplays his shame and emasculation until his big emotive moment; An
explosion of dark comic catharsis. Darker yet is Kongsli's slow
realization that she's unwilling to forgive him. Every
secondary actor has a clear grasp of the text's invisible humour.
Gone
Girl
The
ones working the hardest to unify the film's blend of intrigue and
humour are the performers. Affleck is a reliable centre, and Pike
gets to steal the show, but every supporting
player spins wonderful character specificity with their relatively
limited roles. Special mentions go to Carrie Coon as Nick's sister,
and to Kim Dickens as the quick-lipped detective heading up the case.
Selma
This
is easily one of the most well cast movies of the year, finding a
treasure trove of character actors to stud the crown that is David
Oyelowo's mighty central performance. These peripheral figures could
have amalgamated together under the generic personality of 'Dr. King
followers', but none of them ever fall into that trap, all finding
distinct angles on which to take their roles.
Just missed:
Foxcatcher
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Into the Woods
A Most Wanted Man
Neighbours
