Alternate Best Actor 2016: Results

5. Adam Driver in Paterson - I approach the keyboard to write the results of the year. I ponder if I chose Driver because he's the only actor from Silence I left off on the supporting shortlist. I continue to think and realize that this is a performance worth writing about.

4. Michael Keaton in The Founder - Keaton gives an entertaining performance as Ray Kroc but also manages to take his film to the darker places it needs to go in his revelation of the true nature of a cutthroat businessman.

Best Scene: Bathroom meeting.

3. Chris Pine in Hell or High - Chris Pine has an unassuming role yet gives a powerful portrayal of his character's motivations without being overshadowed by his more colorful co-stars.

Best Scene: Final scene.

2. Joel Edgerton in Loving - Edgerton gives a brilliant understated performance internalizing so effectively both the character's turmoil due to his hardship but also the love for his wife.

Best Scene: First meeting with Cohen.

1. Andrew Garfield in Silence - Good Predictions Calvin Law, and Robert MacFarlane. Due to only having five slots this may seem a weaker year, but that's in large pat because the Academy really did their job this year. It was a strong year for lead actor with Andrew Garfield giving the crowning achievement. He gives the most powerful performance of the year. It is an emotionally devastating performance to watch, but so much more in his profound realization of his character's unique journey of faith.

Best Scene: Garupe's test.

Overall Rank:

1. Andrew Garfield in Silence
2. Jeff Bridges in Hell or High Water
3. Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic
4. Joel Edgerton in Loving
5. Denzel Washington in Fences
6. Ryan Gosling in La La Land
7. Chris Pine in Hell or High Water
8. Shahab Hosseini in The Salesman
9. Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea
10. Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge
11. Michael Keaton in The Founder 
12. Adam Driver in Paterson
13. Song Kang-ho in The Age of Shadows
14. Tom Hanks in Sully
15. Russell Crowe in The Nice Guys
16. Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys
17. Robert Downey Jr. Captain America: Civil War 
18. Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool 
19. Daniel Radcliffe in Swiss Army Man
20. Paul Dano in Swiss Army Man 
21. Trevante Rhodes in Moonlight
22. Ethan Hawke in Born to Be Blue
23. Julian Dennison in Hunt for the Wilderpeople
24. Lewis MacDougall in A Monster Calls 
25. Ashton Sanders in Moonlight 
26. Anton Yelchin in Green Room
27. Jesse Plemons in Other People
28. Benedict Cumberbatch in Dr. Strange 
29. Jake Gyllenhaal in Demolition
30. Chris Evans in Captain America: Civil War 
31. Jeremy Irons in The Man Who Knew Infinity
32. Jonah Hill in War Dogs
33. Dan Fogler in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 
34. Bryan Cranston in The Infiltrator
35. Hugh Grant in Florence Foster Jenkins
36. Cillian Murphy in Anthropoid
37. Mark Rylance in The BFG
38. Dave Johns in I, Daniel Blake
39. Michael Fassbender in The Light Between Oceans
40. Sunny Pawar in Lion
41. Dev Patel in Lion
42. Gong Yoo in Train to Busan
43. Mel Gibson in Blood Father 
44. Josh Brolin in Hail Caesar! 
45. Gong Yoo in The Age of Shadows
46. Eddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 
47. Miles Teller in Bleed For This
48. David Oyelowo in The Queen of Katwe
49. Diego Luna in Rogue One
50. Dwayne Johnson in Moana
51. Ferdia Walsh-Peelo in Sing Street 
52. Alex Hibbert in Moonlight 
53. Matthew McConaughey in Free State of Jones
54. Michael Shannon in Elvis & Nixon
55. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Snowden
56. Denzel Washington in The Magnificent Seven 
57. Mark Wahlberg in Patriots Day 
58. Casey Affleck in The Finest Hours
59. Jason Bateman in Zootopia
60. Ben Affleck in The Accountant
61. Stephen Lang in Don't Breathe
62. Miles Teller in War Dogs
63. Michael Shannon in Midnight Special
64. Peter Simonischek in Toni Erdmann 
65. Matthew McConaughey in Gold
66. Keegan-Michael Key in Keanu 
67. Lucas Jade Zumann in 20th Century Women
68. Chris Pine in Star Trek: Beyond
69. Ben Affleck in Live by Night 
70. John Krasinski in 13 Hours
71. Casey Affleck in Triple Nine 
72. James Badge Dale in 13 Hours
73. Mark Wahlberg in Deepwater Horizon 
74. Jamie Dornan in Anthropoid 
75. Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda 3
76. Art Parkinson in Kubo and the Two Strings
77. Jordan Peele in Keanu 
78. Dev Patel in The Man Who Knew Infinity
79. Ben Affleck in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
80. Jesse Eisenberg in Cafe Society
81. Kwak Do-won in The Wailing
82. Max Records in I am Not a Serial Killer
83. Ewan McGregor in Our Kind of Traitor
84. Chris Pratt in Passengers 
85. Jaeden Lieberher in Midnight Special 
86. Logan Lerman in Indignation
87. Chris Pine in The Finest Hours
88. Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book
89. Henry Cavill in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
90. Brad Pitt in Allied
91. Jake Gyllenhaal in Nocturnal Animals
92. Will Smith in Collateral Beauty

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Alternate Best Actor 2016: Andrew Garfield in Silence

Andrew Garfield did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Father Sebastião Rodrigues in Silence.

Silence is a masterful film about two Jesuit priests who travel to Japan to attempt to spread Christianity and discover the fate of their mentor.

Andrew Garfield was unable to be nominated for his performance in this film since he was already nominated for Hacksaw Ridge. Both films have at the very least portions that take place in Japan and Christianity plays a large role in terms of the motivations of each man he portrays. In Hacksaw Ridge though we are given a man whose faith is an unquestionable facet, and his story is more about conviction to those firm beliefs. In Silence the focus is more closely on the faith itself. We are introduced to the Catholic Father Rodrigues, as he and Father Garupe (Adam Driver), as they learn that their former mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), has apparently surrendered his mission in Japan, and denounced God. The two decide to go to Japan themselves in order reestablish Christianity within the country and find out the truth in regards to Ferreira. Prior to 2015, Andrew Garfield was an actor whose performances I found myself strangely detached to yet with each new performance I've found him to be an actor with such an eloquent understanding for tone and character. Garfield here embodies the man that is Rodrigues, I do not mean he merely provides a consistent accent, which he does, but that is only a minor facet of this process.

Garfield's work is that of more than one would ever assume. In the opening moments Garfield expresses the devotion of a faithful priest in the service of God. He speaks of his support for the mission to discover their lost mentor, and for the support of Catholicism itself. There is no simplicity in this conviction, as truthful as it is, through Garfield's work. Throughout the film we hear Rodrigues's narration and his thoughts. These moments are not to be forgotten and are not a footnote to this performance. Garfield speaks of the "vision" of Christ's portrait by El Greco, it is a calm astute belief not zealotry. We hear the years of a devotion to God, that is defined by comfort not an overt passion. In order to travel to Japan they find a guide in an alcoholic Japanese Fisherman in Macau by the name of Kichijiro (Yosuke Kubozuka), Rodrigues watches the man whose wretched nature seems obvious, yet in this early on Garfield provides only an understanding and empathy in the eyes of Rodrigues for a man who appears to be "the least of his brothers". Garfield offers no judgment in Rodrigues towards this man, only an open heart, as his very physical manner is that of welcoming guide for anyone who may be lost.

The priests successfully reach Japan and discover two villages filled with loyal Christians who are more than appreciative to be granted two new priests to help practice their faith once more. These scenes have an incredible, subtle, beauty to them by revealing how genuine the solace the villagers are granted through their interactions with the priests. In Garfield's own physical and verbal interactions there is only a warmth, a real honesty in his strive to support the Japanese Christians. Garfield's work is remarkable by creating such a lack vanity in his portrayal of Rodrigues's own reflections upon this experience. The joy expressed is a powerful understated quality in Garfield portrayal where Rodrigues's own faith seems only to be rewarded, by that solace the peasants feel by his mere presence. There is a specific lack of indulgence within this though as Garfield expresses an equal understanding of the hardship of their lives. During this time Rodrigues is also made aware of Kichijiro's own tragic story, where his whole family was slaughtered and only he survived by renouncing God. Rodrigues acceptance of this confession, is made earnest in Garfield's performance which reflects a wish to offer comfort yet once again has empathy for his terrible suffering.

Eventually this pleasant time is ended when the Japanese inquisition visits the town in order to find the priests and purge the Christians from the land. They choose hostages to pay for these "crimes". Rodrigues advises the hostages to trample on the Fumie (image of Christ). Garfield speaks the words "Trample, trample" not lightly. It is with a pained conviction that Garfield gives, presenting the attempt in Rodrigues to allow the men to live, assuage their conscience even while he struggles with his own by giving this instruction. The hostages, except one, Kichijiro, fail to apostatize to the inquisitor's satisfaction, leaving them to be slowly executed by being placed on wooden crosses within the ocean. Rodrigues and Garupe can but watch at a distance as it unfolds in front of them. Garfield's work is very poignant in the sequence as it is more than even reflecting the distress of witnessing the men's slow death. Although that is shown there is even more as the initial conviction of the man begins to waver. Garfield conveys the confusion of this development as he attempts to ponder the suffering with an ever loving God. At the end of the execution Garfield has shown Rodrigues own loss of certainty through only his soft narration and scarce reactions.

Rodrigues and Garupe separate for their safety leaving Rodrigues to trek alone in an attempt to continue the mission. Garfield is exceptional in revealing the difficult state Rodrigues is in, experiencing almost his own Gethsemane as he wanders attempting to find direction. Garfield reveals a madness of this as Rodrigues grapples with now a palatable doubt. Garfield presents a harrowing vision into Rodrigues's mind as a man who is truly lost, finding his only companion to be, Kichijiro, a man who appears to be without a single conviction. Garfield earns the almost venomous description Rodrigues grants to the man, suggesting Rodrigues at his lowest point still distraught over all that he has witnessed. His broken state reaches a tipping point as he attempts to find water, and this time literally sees a vision of El Greco's Christ in his own reflection. Garfield is rather amazing in the scene by throwing himself into the insanity of Rodrigues in the moment, as he is unable to contemplate the meaning. Shortly afterwards he is caught by the Japanese inquisitors, having been betrayed by Kichijiro, and placed with a group of Japanese Christian prisoners. It is here that Garfield crafts a fascinating juxtaposition between what Rodrigues presents outwardly, and what is found internally.

Initially Rodrigues scolds the Christians over their calmness given the situation they are in, Garfield expressing still that madness stemming from his doubts. When one of the young Christians though offers words of comfort while turning to Rodrigues for assurance, Garfield is exceptional in the way he is able to realize this switch in Rodrigues in a moment. The change is not a true change, he offers an attempt of bringing that sort of guidance he had before. It isn't quite the same though as Garfield expresses Rodrigues's concern still for the people, yet he no longer has the same convictions himself. Rodrigues becomes a target of sorts by the inquisitor, who intends to have him apostatize in order to be an example for all the remaining Japanese Christians. Garfield's performance manages to find this strange dichotomy as Rodrigues, because of the inquisitor's plan, becomes set on becoming an example of conviction. Garfield's work is outstanding as he is able to provide these two mindsets outwardly and internally in tandem. As Garfield offers the spirit of a righteous man standing for his beliefs as he positioned in front of one challenge after another, meanwhile given time to look inwardly while true convictions are fading.

The Japanese attempt to break Rodrigues through a series of horrible acts. There is one unforgettable scene where Rodrigues is presented with a captured father Garupe who is given his own chance to apostatize to save the Christians, but instead chooses to attempt to physically save them leading to his own death. Garfield gives one of the most harrowing depictions of anguish you'll see on screen as he struggles to cry out to Garupe but is held back by his captors. Garfield is incredible in the moment yet what makes this leave the greater impact, is the way he effectively depicts Rodrigues take in every violent act. They do phase him then they are gone, Garfield gives us a man haunted by every death. He's incredible as he captures the sheer intensity of such torture in his very being. There is no point lost in this portrayal of Rodrigues, we understand every moment both as he is face to face with his persecutors and as he is speaking within his own soul. One of the final attempts to break Rodrigues comes with being presented with father Ferriera a broken man. Garfield is heartbreaking as he begins to merge the internal and the external as argues with his own mentor. The feelings of betrayal are palatable as is his own terrible distress fitting as the very man who helped teach him the faith now wishes for him to abandon it.

Silence is a masterpiece. Martin Scorsese directs the film aware of the inherit strength of the story. As with his work on The Wolf Wall Street, where he did not tell these men were bad he rather showed them in their natural despicable behavior, Scorsese does not hold your hand through this story. He allows one to experience it for themselves. This approach makes Andrew Garfield's work paramount to the film's success. Rodrigues struggle must be through Garfield, and Garfield must be the one to realize through his performance the most daring finalization of his journey. We are given in the end a man who makes not the sacrifice you'd expect, as Rodrigues does tread on the Fumie, but it is not as the act one would believe to be. Garfield grants the emotional weight in the moment but it is not the desperate act of a broken man, as it may have been for Ferriera when he did the same. There is pain but so much more as Garfield embodies this man who closer with God than ever while technically refuting him. This journey needs to be understood for the film to be successful. Garfield's performance is a powerful performance in terms of sheer emotion. What makes it extraordinary is, again, is his embodiment of this man. His portrayal goes beyond any simplifications of martyrdom, to offer a truly profound experience of man finding his faith through silence.

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Alternate Best Actor 2016

And the Nominees Were Not:

Andrew Garfield in Silence

Adam Driver in Paterson

Joel Edgerton in Loving

Michael Keaton in The Founder

Chris Pine in Hell or High Water

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Best Actor 2016: Results

5. Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge - Garfield pulls off a difficult role, not only do the the thick accent required but also the overly pure nature of the role. Garfield though manages to make it work giving such an earnest and honest depiction of an unbelievable individual. 

Best Scene: "I hear you"

4. Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea - I might not like the film all that much, but Casey Affleck gives a great performance. Affleck manages to give a powerful portrayal by so effectively realizing a man who has come to terms with his grief by trying to become dead to the world.

Best Scene: The Police station.

3. Ryan Gosling in La La Land - Out of these five I'd say Gosling gave the performance that offered me the most joy. This is the type of performance that looks easy, but it deserves praise. Gosling brings such charm, has some impeccable comedic timing, and finds some of the best chemistry in years with his co-star Emma Stone. While being a great old school romantic leading turn he also does offers much more poignancy to the role than you might expect.

Best Scene: The dinner fight.

2. Denzel Washington in Fences - Washington delivers his career best by giving us a theatrical man in grand way, yet not without nuance. He buttresses his larger work not only by offering subtly within the grandeur, but also by showing where it stems from within his quiet moments as well.

Best Scene: The tale of his father.

1. Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic - Good prediction GM. A job well done by the Academy in this category. They managed for once to choose five great performances. If the Oscars go to any one of these men I will be more than happy with it. My favorite for the time being, it's particularly close between the top two for me, is Viggo Mortensen. Mortensen, as per usual, gives a great performance. He goes further than that delivering such a powerful portrayal of this character that in the wrong hands could have gone very badly. Mortensen makes us understand this man, never going for the cheap shots, instead offering a complex and believable portrait of this man.

Best Scene: Arguing with Jack. 

Next Year: 2016 Supporting

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Best Actor 2016: Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge

Andrew Garfield received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Private Desmond T. Doss in Hacksaw Ridge.

Hacksaw Ridge tells the unbelievable yet true story of Desmond Doss, a consciousness objector who went on to earn the medal of honor during World War II. Although I was a proponent of the film after my initial viewing of the film I have to say...................I am still just as supportive of the film.

Andrew Garfield, in a banner year, plays the first of his two roles of 2016 where his character's faith plays a pivotal role, though in rather different ways. The role of Desmond Doss is a challenging role though the type of challenge that one is rarely given credit for. The real Desmond Doss was a rather atypical sort of guy not just because of his heroics, but also just everything about him. Garfield intends to capture that personality that was Doss, which was unusual but that's who he was. Garfield doesn't just do a Virginian accent he does a rather thick one which is only fitting to the real Doss's very thick accent. He actually probably just eases it up just a bit to make it a little easier to hear him. Garfield is rather consistent in his use of the accent. He stays true to it and makes it natural to where his character is from. Garfield work though goes further though in his whole demeanor is defined by optimism. Garfield exudes just a general joy of existence in his Doss, which I'd say is most fitting to a man who can wear a smile on his face after describing removing blood from a man's eyes.

Hacksaw Ridge has received criticism for its supposed sentimental depiction of the early scenes of the film which take place in early 30's/40's Virginia. I would say this has been overstated most obviously because there is nothing sentimental about the depiction of Tom Doss (Hugo Weaving) a man permanently scarred by World War I, who lashes out against his family. After watching it again I also noticed that the thing that can most obviously be construed as corny is the depiction of Desmond's relationship with his girlfriend and later wife Dorothy (Teresa Palmer). The dialogue in these scenes is about as old fashioned as they come, though I must say I don't think this seems ill-fitting to Doss. Garfield matches it essentially by offering a truly sincere portrayal, giving every single hokey word coming from Doss's mouth as the truth at least from this guy who simply loves this woman. Garfield in these scenes does very much call back to an older Hollywood type of romantic, kind of a Henry Fonda in Young Mr. Lincoln quite honestly, and again it suits the character.

Again though this is not Garfield just playing a guy who is happy all the time, even if he tries to be happy all the time. We do see the scenes of him dealing with his alcoholic father who most commonly goes from fits of depression to fits of violent anger. In these scenes Garfield gives us a less openly positive Doss conveying the difficulty within the relationship. Garfield presents Desmond most often conveys a quiet troubled sympathy for his father, portraying almost a resistance to hate more than any direct affection for the man. Garfield does not avoid complication in Desmond rather he accentuates that optimism is basically his natural state, which is what he returns to if no other factors are present to dissuade the position. This feels essential to give an understanding to Desmond, particularly once the film moves onto his enlistment into the army where he attempts to join as a combat medic. As Desmond initially only faces the usual drill Sergeant treatment, Garfield again keeps his earnest approach to Desmond who takes this in stride.

This does not last though as Desmond is singled out when he openly refuses to carry a gun yet also refuses to be kicked out of the army based upon the usual grounds. Garfield delivers the needed honesty in Desmond's words and brings the powerful conviction that needs to be in Doss. After all the film is more about conviction than faith. Garfield makes all of his Desmond cohesive as a single man and the conviction in turn does not feel sanctimonious. There is instead a modesty in Garfield's portrayal of it, his major speech explaining his position Garfield with the right quiet eloquence rather than passionate grandstanding. He wears it with only an internalized pride, but never a boastful one. Garfield gives us a man whose goodness is wholly genuine yet I would not say simplified. In order to take his stand Desmond must endure purposeful mistreatment by the army, in an attempt to get him to quit or to pick up the rifle, they even go so far as to take legal action against him. Garfield is excellent because he doesn't simplify this, by showing Desmond does fully understand the severity of the situation. He portrays well the anguish of his treatment, suggesting that Desmond does suffer from the brutal way he is often treated, though he maintains always just that small spark of the man's nature even at his lowest point.

Doss earns his spot on the battlefield which is in no way a reward as the horrors of war quickly become evident on the titular hacksaw ridge where the Japanese troops are heavily fortified. Garfield is not always front and center given that the film covers the various facets of the battle though it always comes back to Doss. Garfield still maintains his position within the carnage though by offering an effective depiction of Doss dealing with the battle. He captures the wear of in his portrayal of Doss. He actually never really breaks down here at all instead excels in wearing it just beneath the surface as though Doss is absorbing it though not allowing it to overwhelm him. He helps to convey the intensity of the battle yet he also is convincing in giving us this man who would be willing to run back into the hell fire after all others have retreated in order to save wounded. This is when the focus does become closer on Garfield and he's great in essentially providing the connection to every moment of Doss's heroics. This is in Garfield still expressing fear of his reactions in the close calls with Japanese, the most minor joy in his face as he saves each man, the physical wear as he pushes himself to the limit, and most importantly the underlying passion that fuels the man in his seemingly impossible task. There are but a few moments after the perilous rescues. They are incredibly well used by Garfield. He does not give us a Doss who has given up, or one who has become filled with vanity over what he has done. Garfield instead gives us a man who has done good, yet has still been through hell in his haunted eyes. This is an exceptional performance, I don't mind saying it, especially since I quite honestly would find it difficult to see any other contemporary actor in this role, or seeing another approach that would have fit Desmond Doss. Although I wonder if he had an even greater work in 2016? Eh, I'll remain silent.

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Best Actor 2016

And the Nominees Are:

Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge

Casey Affleck in Manchester By The Sea

Denzel Washington in Fences

Ryan Gosling in La La Land

Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic

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