2007 Oscar Preview- Day 4: Supporting Actor and Actress (plus bonus apology)

Supporting Actor
The Nominees Are: Alan Arkin- Little Miss Sunshine, Jackie Earle Haley- Little Children, Djimon Hounsou- Blood Diamond, Eddie Murphy- Dreamgirls, Mark Wahlberg- The Departed
Who’s Missing: Maybe the Academy decided enough is enough. That’s the only reason I can see that Jack Nicholson was not nominated for his performance in The Departed. After all, I guess Jack can’t be nominated every year. However, despite the lack of a consistent accent, Jack gives the best bad guy work of his career putting his turn as the Joker to shame. Usually when Jack is on screen he tends to get the audience on his side because, well, he’s just Jack. Here he plays the villain with such menace and evil that we feel more disgust then envy and that’s quite a feat.
Who Should Win: I openly mocked the Academy when I saw Mark Walberg’s name on the list of nominees. I didn’t think he was a bad actor but considering who else he shared the screen with in The Departed, how could he be the one to claim an acting nom? Then I saw the movie and was blown away by his complex, multifaceted performance. Playing the moral center of the film while garnering the majority of the laughs, Wahlberg steals the show amongst a who’s who of male actors from the last 30 years.
Who Will Win: I think everyone is in agreement that Eddie Murphy better clear some space on the mantel. Having won almost every pre-Oscar supporting award, Murphy is one of two Dreamgirls locks. I thought he did a tremendous job in the film but I’m not convinced it was Oscar worthy. Fair or not, I have a feeling if Norbit had come out a few weeks earlier this may not have been such a lock and Arkin and Wahlberg would have made a real go of it but if wishes and buts were candy and nuts….

Supporting Actress
The Nominees Are: Adriana Barraza- Babel, Cate Blanchett- Notes on a Scandal, Abigail Breslin- Little Miss Sunshine, Jennifer Hudson- Dreamgirls, Rinko Kikuchi- Babel
Who’s Missing: As the mother to be in charge of the future of the human race, Claire-Hope Ashitey gives a brilliant debut performance in Children of Men. Vulnerable and driven all at the same time her portrayal of Kee grounds both Clive Owen’s character and the film itself.
Who Should Win: I went into Dreamgirls not expecting much from Jennifer Hudson. I’ve never watched more then 30 seconds of American Idol and could care less about her history with that show. As a matter of fact, if anything I was more prepared to write her off. For the first 50 minutes I could take her, and the movie, and leave it, and then she delivered Effie’s anthem, “I’m Telling You” and I was sold. In the span of that scene Hudson and the movie went from being ok to great and while a good chunk of the credit can be owed to her singing, just as much can attributed to her acting before, during, and after the song.
Who Will Win: Come on do you live under a rock? If Hudson doesn’t go home with Oscar I’ll eat my words…literally.

Bonus Apology:
In Friday’s Screenplay column I wrote that The Departed’s chances of taking home the Adapted Screenplay award were hurt by the fact that it had gone through numerous screenwriters. While it was rumored that many “script doctors” had tightened it up the only credit in the film goes to William Monahan. From one writer to another Mr. Monahan I apologize for the erroneous statement I made especially in light of the fact that it was based on unsubstantiated rumor. Also, in light of my mistake, I am now changing my pick for Adapted Screenplay to The Departed.