Best Supporting Actress Nominations

Predicted nominations:

• Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air
• Anna Kendrick, Up in the Air
• Mo'Nique, Precious
• Julianne Moore, A Single Man
• Samantha Morton, The Messenger

I would nominate:

• Marion Cotillard, Public Enemies
• Mo'Nique, Precious
• Julianne Moore, A Single Man
• Samantha Morton, The Messenger
• Rosamund Pike, An Education

Samantha Morton has a knack for bringing unexpected layers to standard "female love interest" roles. In The Messenger she is simultaneously intimate with and distant from the soldier played by Ben Foster. Her scene in the kitchen with the sunshine outlining her profile is intensely beautiful.

The entire supporting cast of An Education is first-rate. Rosamund Pike stands out as Helen, the glamorous friend of young Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who represents what Jenny's life could be like if she were to remain with her older beau (Peter Saarsgaard). Helen reveals herself to be a bit dim intellectually, but she is not naive; she knows, and seems resigned to, the moral ambiguities of her position in life. Olivia Williams plays the dowdy teacher who represents the other path that Jenny might take. Her character is straight-laced, driven, admirable, and keenly aware of the obstacles facing young women of Jenny's generation. I would love to have included both Pike and Williams on my list of five, but alas, one must make brutal choices in this arena.

I adore Marion Cotillard. While she did a fine job as the dissatisfied wife of Daniel Day-Lewis in Nine, her most compelling work this year was her portrayal of Billie Frechette, the beautiful singer and lover of the outlaw John Dillinger played by Johnny Depp in Public Enemies. The film as a whole lacked emotional impact, but Cotillard brought tremendous depth and beauty to her scenes.

The first time I saw A Single Man, I was underwhelmed by Julianne Moore's performance as Colin Firth's friend and confidante. But on a second viewing I came to appreciate the intensity and bravery that she brought to the role. Moore does great supporting work here; her characterization helps us to understand Colin Firth's situation while not detracting focus onto herself.

As for Mo'Nique...an incredibly brave performance. Her scene at the social worker's office near the end is amazing. She is able to make the viewer understand her monstrous character and, maybe, even feel sorry for her. This is the sort of performance that comes around only once or twice in a decade.