My Best Actors list of 2007 was overflowing with names, however selecting actors for my list of Best Supporting Actors was a much easier task. The five actors listed here earned their spots in the Top 5 by delivering memorable performances while playing supporting parts. And in one case, the actor actually made a bad movie worth watching (yes, I am referring to Ben Affleck's kid brother, Casey).
1. Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
© Miramax Films
I loved Cormac McCarthy's book and was really worried when I heard the news it was getting the feature film treatment. But 15 minutes into the film my fears were vanquished. The Coen Brothers chose the perfect actor to play the part of cold-blooded calculating killer Anton Chigurh when they went with the not-so-obvious choice: Javier Bardem. Bardem's fascinating to watch as he goes about his work while sporting one of the most interesting wigs in recent film history.
2. Tom Wilkinson - Michael Clayton
© Warner Bros Pictures
The onscreen team of Tom Wilkinson and George Clooney pack a powerful punch in the dramatic thriller, Michael Clayton. Wilkinson plays a lawyer who goes off his meds and tries to actually help an innocent victim of corporate greed, even though he's representing said corporation.
3. Steve Zahn - Rescue Dawn
© MGM
Steve Zahn's usually cast as the goofball best friend you wouldn't trust to watch your kids. But filmmaker Werner Herzog saw something in Zahn that made him pick the actor to play a POW who's put through hell before escaping his captors. Zahn pulls off the heavy drama, proving Herzog was right in trusting the role to a guy known mostly for comedies.
4. Jeff Daniels - The Lookout
© Miramax Films
Jeff Daniels plays a very wise, sharp-witted blind guitar player in this beauty of a film. No one saw The Lookout in theaters but now that it's available on DVD, pick it up and spend two hours being entertained. It's not the same old tired story and the performances by the entire cast - and Jeff Daniels in particular - are first rate.
5. Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
© Warner Bros Pictures
Casey Affleck really came into his own in 2007 with a starring role in Gone Baby Gone and a supporting role (second only to Brad Pitt) in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Affleck plays the 'coward' portion of the title in this laboriously long, melodramatic interpretation of Jesse James' murder. And while the film itself is nothing special, Affleck's performance is reason enough to check it out on DVD when you have 3 hours to kill.
