Oscars 2009: Predictions for Best Supporting Actor

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING
ROLE

John Malkovich in “Burn After Reading” (Focus Features)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal Pictures)
Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Bruno Ganz in “The Reader”
(The Weinstein Company)
Russell Crowe in “Body of Lies” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Comments:

Tag-teaming with Tilda Swinton as a husband and wife pair, John Malkovich should secure an easy nom for his work with the Coens, but if I were a betting man – my money would go on Frank Langella playing Dick Nixon for the Ron Howard picture. Last year Josh Brolin excelled with three, and some say four great roles – in Milk he has a weighter role and goes up against a sharp Sean Penn. My two long shot, dark horses picks would go to Bruno Ganz and Russell Crowe. If The Reader out performs other films vying for Oscar attention, then the eyes might
be pointed towards Ganz’s perf. Crowe goes head to head with DiCaprio
in Ridley Scott’s thriller – he plays an untrustworthy CIA veteran.

Contenders:

Lee’s Miracle at St.
Anna and Zwick’s Defiance entertain the same possibilties: many supporting actors but will any one make a remarkable distinction. Depending on how critics receive the new cut of Alan Ball’s Towelhead, we might see newcomer Peter Macdissi secure a nom – those odds are like 250-1 since his character is obviously a fractured parent. The Young
Victoria sees a trio of supporting actors in Jim Broadbent, Paul Bettany and Thomas Kretschmann who might take a bite out of this pie. Ben Kingsley’s role in The Wackness might have a shot – critics appeared to like this character after his appearance at Sundance. Finally, the large in scope Australia is given a supporting hand from David Wenham.   

New Week: Best Actor, Actress, Original and Adapted Screenplay, Director and Picture.