There have been rumblings about McKay’s portrayal of Orson Welles all year. In one of his Twitter posts yesterday @stevepond wrote that McKay was “staggering” in the role and that they’ll run him in supporting “even though he dominates the movie,” he says.
Good move, though, as the Best Actor race has now officially become the most crowded category. Supporting Actor feels open enough right now – it might come down to Stanley Tucci vs. Stanley Tucci vs. Christian McKay vs. Christopher Plummer vs. Christoph Waltz vs. Alfred Molina. It is always a depressing truth every year to find almost triple the amount of actors to actresses in the Oscar race, both categories.
Let’s talk quickly about Supporting Actor. By the time the Globes nominations roll out, Supporting Actor starts to feel locked up. Though that isn’t always the case. Matt Damon in Invictus could be a last-minute entry, and who knows who else. It’s a fun game to play and it wouldn’t be fun if it was already all figured out.
It is looking pretty good right now for:
Christoph Waltz – owns Inglourious Basterds.
Stanley Tucci - not only a beloved actor within Hollywood, an underrated one at that, but sure to deliver another great one in The Lovely Bones, adding to his wonderful turn in Julie & Julia.
Christian McKay – take it to the bank.
Alfred Molina - it’s going to be hard to not fall in love with An Education — Molina or Peter Sarsgaard should be recognized in the supporting category – both are great.
Christopher Plummer – long, love overdue.
And then the two from The Hurt Locker, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty. Brilliant performances by both of them. The ensemble for The Hurt Locker should see some SAG love if all goes well. There is Woody Harrelson for The Messenger. Jake Gyllenhaal and Sam Shepard are both going to be pushed for supporting for Brothers. It might be silly to mention Zach Galifianakis for a supporting nod, but the reason he might not be considered has nothing to do with his work and all to do with his reputation. If he were a “serious” actor turning in the same performance he would be a shoo-in. It’s just that he’s a comedy guy and no one takes them seriously. For all of the names up for consideration, check out the Gurus chart.
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35 Responses for "Christian McKay Strong Supporting Actor Contender"
I loved Christoph Waltz in Basterds, but by all that’s holy, if there’s any justice in this world the Supporting Actor award is McKay’s to lose. What a performance! I mean, holy crap! You sit through the credits hoping for just one more minute of him.
I’m sorry. I have to disagree about Zach Galifianakis. I don’t think it would matter if he was a serious actor or not, what he did in “The Hangover” I wouldn’t equate with an Oscar nomination.
I haven’t seen The Last Station. But it isn’t about Leo Tolstoy’s last year, and Plummer is playing Tolstoy. I would assume Christopher Plummer to be up for Lead Actor. Or maybe I shouldn’t assume.
Since I saw Me and Orson Welles a year ago I have felt Christian McKay should be nominated. He is so good, he deserves to win. He is definitely supporting, Zak is the lead. Plus the movie is a charmer.
My trio is Waltz,Mackie and Tucci (the make-believe “report” that Ronan steals the show from Tucci and the cast is bullshit because it`s her movie so she can`t steal it from actors who are only supporting her lead, like, WTF?, and Tucci just looks awesome and different from what he`s done before). McKay will be cool too because they may call Zefron to present award again and be there to support his co-star from Me and OW.
I still gotta wait on Netflix to send me Julie & Julia (first week of Dec) but I’m skeptical about Tucci for that film, I gotta think The Lovely Bones is his performance.
Isn’t Gyllenhall the lead in Brothers? The Danish film which it’s based on the Gyllenhall character has about 60/40% screen time. Not sure what Jim Sheridan did with it.
Thanks for pushing Mr. Galifanakis. The three leads are a huge part of why that film was so successful, and he had the scene-stealer part of the batch, His comedic timing is impeccable, there was a no-holds-barred-aspect to the performance which is essential for this sort of comedy, he embraced a character that could have been highly uncomfortable, and he played a 3-dimensional character within the confines of the necessities of the genre.
I would absolutely love to see Anthony Mackie sneak in. His last scene in The Hurt Locker moved me to tears.
Finally! I’m glad someone has mentioned Alfred Molina for An Education. I wasn’t a huge fan of the movie, but I was a huge fan of his acting in that movie. I laughed pretty hard at every scene he was in as did the rest of my audience.
Peter Sarsgaard, though, should be put in lead.
These are the four I feel are most likely right now (it’s still too early so it probably doesn’t mean much):
Matt Damon, Invictus
Alfred Molina, An Education
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds
I see the 5th spot being fought between:
Christian McKay, Me & Orson Welles
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Woody Harrleson, The Messenger
Peter Sarsgaard was really good in An Education, but he may be hindered by the fact that *POTENTIAL SPOILER*…
…his character is so unlikeable by the end of the movie, you couldn’t care less about him, or how good the actor portraying him was. *END POTENTIAL SPOILER*
I’m not convinced about “Brothers” yet. We’re beginning to have a lot of contemporary war-themed dramas, ie The Hurt Locker, The Messenger, Brothers. I just can’t see them all being awards-caliber.
Sherlock Holmes. Really?
I will eat a shoe if that movie gets nominated for any major category.
@ E
Get ready to eat some shoe.
If there is any justice: Timothy Spall for The Damned United.
I wouldn’t say Alfred Molina is a shoe-in right now. Honestly, all the praise went to Carey Mulligan. Even for those who weren’t that moved by the film (those like A.O Scott) felt the film was all about Mulligan. Not sure if Molina got that much attention, aside from what we have been giving him.
The only sure bet for me as of now would absolutely be Christoph Waltz. Haven’t seen McKay’s performance, but he would have to blow me through the roof to convince me he deserves it more than Waltz.
Eager to see Damon, Tucci (Lovely Bones) and Plummer.
I`m jumping on Jude Law bandwaggon. He was overexposed, then disappeared (well, not from tabloids due to Sienna/nanny/random model-shaggin` and baby-makin`) and now is about to make a big comeback. And we know how much Hollywood loves comebacks.
I dont really get the love for The Hurt Locker. I find it heartfelt and deep at some points, but other parts are boring and extremely slow.
The movie may have lovers as well as Renner and the editing is fabulous. Beyond that i dont see anything for it. A SAG nom? Give me a break. Tons of movies are far better this year. Love for the war “heroes” wont do.
The 4 in the list are almost locked. Only one spot to be filled by almost anyone, must probably Matt Damon.
I am starting to get a sense that Sherlock Holmes might be the big x factor this season and not Avatar. I don’t think Sherlock will do anything crazy like win BP but I bet it gets a lot of nominations.
Isn’t it a bit premature to vote on Brothers and Sherlock? These haven’t even been released yet. From the previews, the preformances appear outstanding, but it’s still not enough to make a decision on. Of those released, Chris Walz is a standout, hands down.
i think the really big chance to get nominated in brotheres is natalie portman, but jake still has a good chance, i cant see tobey at the oscars….
Sherlock Holmes? really?
See, this is the problem with having ten Best Picture nominees. Now everybody is looking for that blockbuster film to get nominated because they feel AMPAS owns them one for The Dark Knight (I know ppl who feel this way). If that turns out to be the case, I hardly believe that film will be Sherlock Holmes.
Remember Funny People? Everyone and their mother was putting that film out there as if it had a chance. Then the film was released and people realized it was far from awards worthy. I feel the same will happen to Sherlock Holmes.
Really, I’m more confident about Avatar.
I’m on the Jude Law bandwangon ! Word out of the the screening of Sherlock Holmes say that it is great ! Love suprises
I really don’t see Christian McKay pulling off a nomination. Sorry. How many people will actually see this movie?
Christoph Waltz, Stanley Tucci (for either Lovely Bones or Julie & Julia, probably the former) are locks in my opinion. Matt Damon is looking good (he’s had a good year, and Clint Eastwood pulls out great performances from his actors).
The other two will probably be Christopher Plummer (long overdue actor in a technically lead role getting a push in supporting) and I’d say Alfred Molina (cause he was just so good in that movie).
I’m really excited about Brothers. Buzz appears to be building for this, and if so, Jake Gyllenhaal will end up being a strong possibility. On a side note, I’d also love it if Natalie Portman pulled out a strong, lead performance. I love all the actors involved in that movie.
The movie’s about Orson Welles. Biographers and actors will appreciate the performance enough to really consider it.
Globe and Bafta to Waltz
Oscar and SAG to Tucci
that’s what i think
Uh, Paul Schneider anyone? What a shame nobody’s talking about his awards-worthy performance.
If you’re talking about Schneider in BRIGHT STAR, I enjoyed him immensely, but I wouldn’t be upset if he wasn’t nominated. Really, no one, not even Ben Whishaw, wowed me in that film like Abbie Cornish did.
Bah. Peter Capaldi for In the Loop. Even Waltz can’t match that performance.
Sadly, we do not live in a just world, and Capaldi will get no kudos whatsoever.
There is no way in holy hell that this guy will get a nomination. No way, No how.
From memory, you can’t be nominated twice in the same category I believe. If this is so, then Stanley Tucci will only be nominated for one role as supporting actor.
Lol, Waltz slaughtered everyone else. Nearly 50%.
I’d be thrilled to see Christopher “waltz” away on Oscar night with a statue for Best Supporting Actor. He knocked it out of the park.
Paul Schneider was brilliant in Bright Star. Pretty too
Have we forgotten about the several hilarious roles in “In the Loop?” That is still I think my favorite film I’ve seen all year. I REALLY hope it doesn’t fade away this season.
I know Christian McKay. And he is an actor who has spent a CAREER playing Orson Welles all over the British Isles and not just in this movie. He has a one-man show on OW which played in NYC about three years ago and we spent a lot of time together chatting about Welles and yes, he’s obsessed.
He started his show at the Edinburgh Festival a number of years before that, so he’s been honing his Welles’
impersonation/performance which culminates in this film since forever, really.
He lives and breathes OW and since he was soooo convincing on the stage, I’m not surprised that he’s equally convincing in the movie.
I’ve been lucky enough to see this film and I fully agree – Christian McKay is excellent.
Did you know he is using the film’s Twitter account at the moment?? I think Orson would agree as he was always one for using media to his advantage…
All his Tweets end with “CM”. There’s a link to the Twitter account on the film’s website, and link to the website on my name.
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