I think this is one of the weaker recent years, but the overall talent pool this year was weak.

The nominees for Best Supporting Actress in 2004 were:
Cate Blanchett in The Aviator as "Katharine Hepburn"
Laura Linney in Kinsey as "Clara McMillen"
Virginia Madsen in Sideways as "Maya"
Sophie Okonedo in Hotel Rwanda as "Tatiana Rusesabagina"
Natalie Portman in Closer as "Alice"

My Ranking:
1. Blanchett - She gets the mannerisms right and she's entertaining and probably the best of the bunch (although I haven't seen Portman). Still, it isn't amazing work.

2. Madsen - She's quite pedestrian, if charming, for most of the film, but she gets one outstanding moment of poetry where all aspects of the film come together to help her out - that is her wine monologue to Paul Giamatti's Miles. It's a stunning moment and she's luminous in it. Too bad the rest of the performance is so bland.

3. Linney - She's good as always (and she does a killer John Lithgow impersonation!) but I found her character, like the film as a whole, bland and uninteresting. I found Lynn Redgrave's one minute monologue as the final interview subject far more moving and powerful than the entirety of Linney's performance.

4. Okonedo - I don't really understand why this performance was nominated. I've liked Sophie Okonedo in other films, but here she basically screams and cries, and not in a way interesting or new enough to be nominated. She doesn't add any layers to a cliche "victim" role. We understand that she loves her husband, but she's simply not a gripping enough presence in this film for us to really care about her.

-. Portman - haven't seen the film.

My Personal Ballot:
1. Kirsten Dunst in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as "Mary Svevo"
2. Jung-Ah Yum in A Tale of Two Sisters as "Eun-Joo"
3. Lynn Redgrave in Kinsey as "Final Interview Subject"
4. Cate Blanchett in Coffee and Cigarettes as "Cate/Shelly"
5. Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill (vol. 2) as "Elle Driver"

First of all, my favorite Supporting performance of the year was snubbed (Maia Morgenstern in "The Passion of the Christ"). Without her, the list does have strong performances (except for one) and I could easily have her replace Okenedo.

#1. Natalie Portman, Closer
-She had a great year that year with this and "Garden State", and this was her chance to finally get some recognition after coming to the scene in a big way in the 90s with "The Professional" and "Beautiful Girls". At the time I first saw this movie, I loved her performance and thought she was great. However, I am basing this off one viewing back in 2005 so I need to watch this again, because my ranking may change.

#2. Cate Blanchett, The Aviator
-I almost put Madsen in this spot because in all honesty, all of these ladies (save Okenedo) are very equal in their performances. What I loved about Blanchett in this movie was that whenever she was onscreen, all eyes are on her and they never leave her. Katherine Hepburn was an amazing actress who had such a quirky persona and seeing Blanchett completely pull off these aspects was such a joy to watch. This performance actually has grown on me over time.

#3. Virginia Madsen, Sideways
-That year's subtle performance and the critical darling that missed out on the Oscar. Madsen's character Maya is the heart of "Sideways" and she is such a charming person. Her famous speech about wine is so beautiful and an Oscar was practically worthy on that scene alone.

#4. Laura Linney, Kinsey
-Just because I have Laura Linney ranked this low doesn't mean that I don't dislike her performance because frankly, I wouldn't have objected a win by her or any of the above ladies. I thought Linney had a couple of great moments in this movie that stood out (like "Stop using science to justify what you've done!!", which I can still see and hear in my head). I do hope Linney gets her Oscar within the next few years.

#5. Sophie Okenedo, Hotel Rwanda
-Just look at puxzkkx explanation of why he ranked her last. It sums up my feelings as well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AJ,

1) Linney
2) Madsen
3) Blanchett
4) Okenedo
5) Portman

1) Blanchett
2) Virginia Madsen
3) Laura Linney
4) Sophie Okonedo
5) Natalie Portman

01. Madsen
02. Portman
03. Linney
04. Okonedo
05. Blanchett


My ballot:

01. Patricia Rae, Maria Full of Grace
02. Kirsten Dunst, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
03. Sally Hawkins, Vera Drake
04. Daryl Hannah, Kill Bill: Vol. 2
05. Eva Amurri, Saved!

Nice Eva Amurri shout-out!

quote:

Originally posted by puxzkkx:
Nice Eva Amurri shout-out!

Heh, thanks! Mandy Moore got all the attention for "Saved!", but I thought Amurri was the MVP.

That film had unusually good acting for the kind of picture it was. Moore, Malone, Amurri, Culkin, Parker etc. all gave worthy performances.

1. Cate Blanchett
2. Virginia Madsen
3. Sophie Okonedo
4. Natalie Portman
5. Laura Linney

1) Blanchett
2) Portman
3) Madsen
4) Linney
5) Okonedo

Pretty weak stuff here...

1. Natalie Portman
2. Virginia Madsen
3. Laura Linney
4. Cate Blanchett
5. Sophie Okonedo

1. Portman
2. Blanchett
3. Linney
4. Madsen
5. Okonedo

I'd love to say Portman because she did have some great moments but she really didn't tear through the character from the inside out the way Clive Owen did. And it was apparent when they were onscreen together.

The Blanchett performance, I have to say, has really grown of me over the years. First I though it was fun, then hokey and now I think the film wouldn't be the same without her or her energy.

And I've always said it but Rachel McAdams. Mean Girls. Who has ever played a better evil high school student? And her delivery was beyond flawless.