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Rob Edelman: Best Performances

Oscar nomination or no Oscar nomination, the vast majority of the high-profile performances-- both leading and supporting-- of the recently concluded year were given by actors who have won nominations and statuettes in previous years. This list includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Johnny Depp, Michael Fassbender, Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Shannon, Mark Ruffalo, Eddie Redmayne...and Jane Fonda...and Sylvester Stallone. However, in 2015, a host of non-Oscared performers deservedly earned kudos for their screen work. Some are celluloid novices, while others have been around for decades. 

Let’s begin with Swedish-born Alicia Vikander, who won acclaim for her presences in two films: THE DANISH GIRL and EX MACHINA. Vikander has the screen presence and acting chops that surely will keep her at centerstage for years to come. In other words, she is the Jennifer Lawrence of 2015. 

Two years ago, Michael B. Jordan was lauded for his eye-opening work in Ryan Coogler’s independently produced FRUITVALE STATION. In CREED, also directed by Coogler, a ROCKY offshoot that has deservedly earned heaps of praise, Jordan proves that he is no one-shot talent. He, too, is well-worth watching in the future. 

Such also is the case with BelPowley, age 23, who offers a star-making turn as the bright, precocious 15-year-old title character in THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL.

For quite a while, Mark Rylance has been lauded as a stage actor par excellence. BRIDGE OF SPIES may not be his debut feature, but it allows him to display his subtle brilliance to generations of moviegoers. 

Charlotte Rampling, who is on the cusp of her seventieth birthday, has been appearing onscreen for a half-century. She has given fine performances in a number of films, but she never has earned the acclaim that she has for her stellar work in 45 YEARS. Kudos to Charlotte Rampling!

I’ve previously written that Brie Larson is a highly talented actor who deserves to be better-known. Well, her breakthrough performance in ROOM has justifiably brought her to the celluloid summit. I am especially interested in following her career arc in the upcoming years. 

Sarah Silverman’s fame primarily is the result of her work as an in-your-face comedian. However, she recently has stretched herself in dramatic roles, and she does fine work in I SMILE BACK. In so doing, she joins the likes of Robin Williams, Danny Kaye, Jerry Lewis, Milton Berle, and other funny folk who proved they were as adept at playing serious parts as they were clowning around.

Finally, prior to his mesmerizing performance in SON OF SAUL, one of the very best films of last year or any year, Hungarian-born GézaRöhrig’s lone acting credit, according to the Internet Movie Database, was a Hungarian TV miniseries. While researching him, I learned that Röhrig, who is in his late forties, also is a poet who has worked as a kindergarten teacher. He lives in New York City and is a Hasidic Jew who converted after a visit to Auschwitz. Fascinating stuff! And post-SON OF SAUL, I only can imagine what he possibly will do for an encore.

Rob Edelman teaches film history at the University at Albany. He has written several books on film and television, and is an associate editor of Leonard Maltin’s Movie and Video Guide.

The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this station or its management.

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