Patrick Broadnax
, Huntsville Movie ExaminerDecember 22, 2011 - Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.
Film in 2011 brought upon some dazzling new titles that will forever go down as classics, and along with the movie as a whole, came performances that stood out. Personally, there were more than ten performances that struck as more than the average performance, being amazed, surprised, and even generally shocked. The top ten of which caught me by surprise inflicting emotions such as anger, hate, pity, sadness, happiness and more come from an eclectic group of films and even more eclectic groups of actors and actresses. Here are the Top 10 Performances of 2011 in film:
10. Melissa McCarthy of Bridesmaids: Stealing just about every scene she was in on the year’s best comedy film, Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy is number ten on the list. She played one of the quirky, colorful bridesmaids that brightened the screen with gut-busting hilarity and even a little bit of heart. Ms. McCarthy portrayed one of the most memorable characters of this year.
8. Alan Rickman of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2): Professor Snape has always been a generally exquisite part of every single Harry Potter film to date; however nothing can compare to his performance in the last film. Anyone who had the pleasure to view part two of the last Harry Potter chapter knows just how important Snape’s Memory scene is. And one can only credit director David Yates and the great Alan Rickman for appropriately displaying, what goes down in my book as, the best scene in any Harry Potter film.
7. Elizabeth Olsen of Martha Marcy May Marlene: The lost Olsen sister makes a valiant debut in a dark film involving a vicious cult. As surprised as I was to find out that there was another Olsen sister, I was even more surprised to see that she might be better than her two twin sisters. Giving a chillingly shocking performance in the film, often more quiet than one would think. Still, Elizabeth plays scared quiet very well, indeed, which is the best explanation why I cannot shake this film from my head.
6. Octavia Spencer of The Help: In what I consider to be this year’s best film, The Help, there were a myriad of downright excellent performances, and one of the most standout performances must be Octavia Spencer’s portrayal as the strong, feisty, defiant, smart-mouthed maid Minny Jackson. Also one of the most memorable black characters I’ve seen in a while. You laughed with her, you cried with her and was even shocked by the terrible, awful thing she did in the movie, which was also rather hilarious. Spencer revealed that playing Minny was the meatiest role she had ever had, and finally got to do more than just a few scenes. I’m hoping to see much more of her in the future.
5. Andy Serkis of The Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Some will argue that it was all visual effects. I will beg to differ. In fact, Mr. Serkis gives such a powerful and nuanced performance that he doesn’t even need to be seen in the film. By that fact alone, it would be hard for some academies to award him anything. Playing the mighty Caesar from this year’s epic prequel to the "Planet of the Apes" series, Andy Serkis clearly pulled of one of the year’s most memorable performances just with facial expressions, ranging from anger, confusion, depression, rage, sadness, amazement, and of course vengeful. The film could have failed completely, but luckily they cast the right chimpanzee to take over as the main character.
4. Charlize Theron of Young Adult: The story of Young Adult came out of nowhere and surprised movie nerds and buffs everywhere. Even greater was the performance of the selfish, bitter, devastated thirty-nine year old approaching forty, by the always wonderful Charlize Theron. This portrayal could have simply come off as ridiculously cartoonish in the hands of a less masterful actress, however the character comes off as more relatable than one would think, although rather cold and unapologetic for her obviously inappropriate actions. It is apparent that Charlize definitely understands this character, her darkness, her devastation, and her daring. It’s only up to the audience to be able to find what lies deep within this stunning, complicated character.
3. Michelle Williams of My Week With Marilyn: Who can portray the great Marilyn Monroe? That was the biggest question on everyone’s mind. Michelle Williams pulls it off perfectly. The transformation from private to public figure is quiet honestly thrilling, it’s so surprisingly done with such ease it seems like second nature to Ms. Williams. The small little gestures and movements, just emulate the blonde bombshell. If the darling young actress doesn’t receive a myriad of awards this season, there is literally no justice in the world. If it were anyone else in that film pretending to be the most famous movie star of all time, no one would even give her the time of day. But when Michelle Williams transfigures into Monroe, she’s not pretending and we accept her as no more than the true 20th century legend, herself.
2. Viola Davis of The Help: What is there to say, besides finally. A film that gives Viola Davis more than just eight or so minutes to show she is one of this century’s best actresses. Playing the coy, strong-willed, devastated black domestic maid, Abilene. Much like her co-star, Octavia Spencer, you feel everything she feels, from laughter, to depression and devastation, loss and regret. Playing a loving surrogate mother to white children and a put upon servant to their parents, Davis brings a hopeful warmth to the screen, as the radiating warmth from her eyes counter the often fear and worry that accompany her, everywhere she goes. Possibly the most enduring, loveable character to grace the screens this year in film, Abilene triumphs. And of course so does Viola Davis. And she’s right…"Stop calling black actresses dignified!" Davis proves to be more than that.
1. Rooney Mara of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: Some will remember Rooney Mara as the icy ex-girlfriend of Mark Zuckerberg from David Fincher’s 2010 hit, The Social Network. She had a great stint inthat film. Now after very recently viewing David Fincher’s adaptation of the late Stieg Larsson’s first novel to his Millennium Trilogy, I am shocked, a bit disturbed and very impressed with everyting involving and especially Ms. Mara’s portrayal of character favorite, Lisabeth Salander. Critics are calling her performance a “revelation” and “hypnotic and fearless”. These mere words do not really do Rooney Mara’s portrayal any justice. In fact, most words won’t describe how great she was. If there is any reason to see the film, Mara is it. Lisabeth in Fincher’s version is bleak, strong but delicate, beyond intelligent, even darkly charming and sexy at times. A real broken heroine. A rush of different emotions are generated just simply from the two and a half hours that is the film, and it sticks with you. Not only has Fincher given the world a new wonderfully dark, brutal film, but he has also introduced us to one of this generations’ better talents. Which is why Rooney Mara is the number one film performance of 2011!
10. Melissa McCarthy of Bridesmaids: Stealing just about every scene she was in on the year’s best comedy film, Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy is number ten on the list. She played one of the quirky, colorful bridesmaids that brightened the screen with gut-busting hilarity and even a little bit of heart. Ms. McCarthy portrayed one of the most memorable characters of this year.
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9. Joseph Gordon-Levitt of 50/50: The always charming Mr. Gordon-Levitt helmed a character going through the struggles of cancer in the tragic comedy film, 50/50. Not only did he sustain the film’s sharp humor (with Seth Rogen), but also delivered some raw emotion as well. The film itself was unexpectedly effective, particularly in a scene that comes later in the film involving his character and his therapist, played by Anna Kendrick. It’s pretty masterful stuff for such a fine young actor.8. Alan Rickman of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2): Professor Snape has always been a generally exquisite part of every single Harry Potter film to date; however nothing can compare to his performance in the last film. Anyone who had the pleasure to view part two of the last Harry Potter chapter knows just how important Snape’s Memory scene is. And one can only credit director David Yates and the great Alan Rickman for appropriately displaying, what goes down in my book as, the best scene in any Harry Potter film.
7. Elizabeth Olsen of Martha Marcy May Marlene: The lost Olsen sister makes a valiant debut in a dark film involving a vicious cult. As surprised as I was to find out that there was another Olsen sister, I was even more surprised to see that she might be better than her two twin sisters. Giving a chillingly shocking performance in the film, often more quiet than one would think. Still, Elizabeth plays scared quiet very well, indeed, which is the best explanation why I cannot shake this film from my head.
6. Octavia Spencer of The Help: In what I consider to be this year’s best film, The Help, there were a myriad of downright excellent performances, and one of the most standout performances must be Octavia Spencer’s portrayal as the strong, feisty, defiant, smart-mouthed maid Minny Jackson. Also one of the most memorable black characters I’ve seen in a while. You laughed with her, you cried with her and was even shocked by the terrible, awful thing she did in the movie, which was also rather hilarious. Spencer revealed that playing Minny was the meatiest role she had ever had, and finally got to do more than just a few scenes. I’m hoping to see much more of her in the future.
5. Andy Serkis of The Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Some will argue that it was all visual effects. I will beg to differ. In fact, Mr. Serkis gives such a powerful and nuanced performance that he doesn’t even need to be seen in the film. By that fact alone, it would be hard for some academies to award him anything. Playing the mighty Caesar from this year’s epic prequel to the "Planet of the Apes" series, Andy Serkis clearly pulled of one of the year’s most memorable performances just with facial expressions, ranging from anger, confusion, depression, rage, sadness, amazement, and of course vengeful. The film could have failed completely, but luckily they cast the right chimpanzee to take over as the main character.
4. Charlize Theron of Young Adult: The story of Young Adult came out of nowhere and surprised movie nerds and buffs everywhere. Even greater was the performance of the selfish, bitter, devastated thirty-nine year old approaching forty, by the always wonderful Charlize Theron. This portrayal could have simply come off as ridiculously cartoonish in the hands of a less masterful actress, however the character comes off as more relatable than one would think, although rather cold and unapologetic for her obviously inappropriate actions. It is apparent that Charlize definitely understands this character, her darkness, her devastation, and her daring. It’s only up to the audience to be able to find what lies deep within this stunning, complicated character.
3. Michelle Williams of My Week With Marilyn: Who can portray the great Marilyn Monroe? That was the biggest question on everyone’s mind. Michelle Williams pulls it off perfectly. The transformation from private to public figure is quiet honestly thrilling, it’s so surprisingly done with such ease it seems like second nature to Ms. Williams. The small little gestures and movements, just emulate the blonde bombshell. If the darling young actress doesn’t receive a myriad of awards this season, there is literally no justice in the world. If it were anyone else in that film pretending to be the most famous movie star of all time, no one would even give her the time of day. But when Michelle Williams transfigures into Monroe, she’s not pretending and we accept her as no more than the true 20th century legend, herself.
2. Viola Davis of The Help: What is there to say, besides finally. A film that gives Viola Davis more than just eight or so minutes to show she is one of this century’s best actresses. Playing the coy, strong-willed, devastated black domestic maid, Abilene. Much like her co-star, Octavia Spencer, you feel everything she feels, from laughter, to depression and devastation, loss and regret. Playing a loving surrogate mother to white children and a put upon servant to their parents, Davis brings a hopeful warmth to the screen, as the radiating warmth from her eyes counter the often fear and worry that accompany her, everywhere she goes. Possibly the most enduring, loveable character to grace the screens this year in film, Abilene triumphs. And of course so does Viola Davis. And she’s right…"Stop calling black actresses dignified!" Davis proves to be more than that.
1. Rooney Mara of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: Some will remember Rooney Mara as the icy ex-girlfriend of Mark Zuckerberg from David Fincher’s 2010 hit, The Social Network. She had a great stint inthat film. Now after very recently viewing David Fincher’s adaptation of the late Stieg Larsson’s first novel to his Millennium Trilogy, I am shocked, a bit disturbed and very impressed with everyting involving and especially Ms. Mara’s portrayal of character favorite, Lisabeth Salander. Critics are calling her performance a “revelation” and “hypnotic and fearless”. These mere words do not really do Rooney Mara’s portrayal any justice. In fact, most words won’t describe how great she was. If there is any reason to see the film, Mara is it. Lisabeth in Fincher’s version is bleak, strong but delicate, beyond intelligent, even darkly charming and sexy at times. A real broken heroine. A rush of different emotions are generated just simply from the two and a half hours that is the film, and it sticks with you. Not only has Fincher given the world a new wonderfully dark, brutal film, but he has also introduced us to one of this generations’ better talents. Which is why Rooney Mara is the number one film performance of 2011!
http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-huntsville/top-10-film-performances-of-2011
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