Yes, it’s that time of year to note the breakthrough, buzzworthy and notable performances from some of the lesser knowns or those that just haven’t had a chance to shine yet. Not all of these performers will likely see Oscar nominations (but some will), but they’re all deserving of accolades. Here’s the Playlist’s list of Breakout Performances of the year…so far.
Josh Brolin – In The Country For Old Men/American Gangster
The son of James Brolin, little Josh has been acting ever since 1985’s “The Goonies,” but fuck if he isn’t coming into his own right now. This is his year; he’s never been better as the cowboy drifter in the Coen Brothers’ “No Country For Old Men,” and his turn as a righteously slimy dirty cop in “American Gangster” is perfectly douchey. Brolin got his first real acclaim for playing a bisexual ATF agent in “Flirting With Disaster,” but in 2007 he’s having a banner year. What’s more he’s everywhere, he’s also seemingly everywhere. Earlier this year he earned good reviews for “Grindhouse,” and he’s also in the walking Oscar-bait “In the Valley of Elah.”
Ben Foster – 3:10 To Yuma/30 Days of Night/Alpha Dog
Foster love to plays creeps and weirdos, he outclasses most of his generation that tries it, but he also excels at giving his loose-cannon characters, soul, 3-dimensional edges, quirks and a genuine sense of being disturbed. His cold-blooded, flamboyant, almost-rock star cowboy in “3:10 to Yuma” as Russell Crowe’s almost-too-loyal sidekick (with subtle but noticeable latent tendencies turn bursting around the sides of his performance) was note-perfect, chilling and Oscar-worthy – a definitive “break out role.” His nutcase proclivities apparently also shined brightly in “30 Days of Night” as well. Earlier this year he starred in the godawful “Alpha Dog,” but his portrayal of a psychopathic drug dealer was arresting.
Marion Cotillard – La Vie En Rose
She only had one role this year that North Americans probably saw, but it was the only one that mattered. In “La Vie En Rose” as tragic French chanteuse Édith Piaf, Cotillard is a riveting revelation. She shaved the top of her head to exact Piaf’s high forehead, and hired a singing coach so she could properly lipsynch her songs, inflections intact. This role has Oscar nomination written all over it.
Toby Kebbel – Control
We’ve gone on about how meh “Control” was, but Kebbel deliciously steals every single scene he’s in as the gregarious and hilarious Joy Division manager Rob Gretton (RIP). Granted he’s got some amazingly funny lines to work with as his character was basically written as the the comic relief, from an otherwise dour and dull film, but Kebbel uses every moment on screen to maximize the funny with his pottymouth take on the shameless manager. And we thought Paddy Considine was the bee knees in “24 Hour Party People,” but this role might take the cake.
Ellen Page – Juno
Hollywood is apparently begging for a new “Little Miss Sunshine,” begging. Fall Oscar-bait films are apparently failing at the boxoffice (though many of them are great, go figure), so Hollywood and the media hive that follows their honey are quickly anointing “Juno” as the heir apparent without having seen it. Regardless, their hopes might be in the hands of little Ellen Page (who is probably most known for her role as Kitty Pryde in “X-Men 3”), the star of the preggers black comedy. Think a movie like this is too dark for the Oscars? Maybe not, the film just won the top honors at the Rome Film Festival.
Sam Riley – Control
Rock stars can’t act, can they? (or is that rappers?) 10,000 Things singer Sam Riley proved otherwise with the overwhelming responsibility of playing deceased Joy Divison singer and icon Ian Curtis (and lord knows this could have been embarrassing). His sensitive, increasingly troubled and quietly distressed depiction of Curtis is near-heartbreaking – it’s too bad the movie itself was pretty unremarkable, but Riley can at least hang his head up high. Critics loved him and his Curtis epileptic-fit dance was spot on. There’s surely more to good things to come from him.
Emile Hirsch – Into The Wild
Emile Hirsch has been turning heads ever since he started getting decent roles in 2002. He’s been disarmingly good in films like “The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,” “The Girl Next Door” and “Lords of Dogtown,” so his incredibly human portrayal of a idealistic, hippie tree hugger who goes off to Alaska and starves to death accidentally is no big surprise, but this is the role that people are taking notice off. It helps he’s the star, it’s his biggest role to date and a supporter/director in Sean Penn. Don’t be surprised if his name is mentioned often around award season.
Alexandra Maria Lara – Control/ Youth Without Youth
It doesn’t hurt that this Romanian-born European actress is drop dead gorgeous. Her head-turning roles in the Hitler drama “Downfall,” and 2001’s “Tunnel,” got her noticed by both Anton Corbijn and Francis Ford Coppola. Corbijn cast her as Ian Curtis’ lover Annik Honoré in “Control” and Coppola made her the lead in the upcoming metaphysical oddity, “Youth Without Youth.” Both performances are graceful and understated. Don’t be surprised when people like Stephen Spielberg and other heavyweights start casting her in bigger films.
Marcus Carl Franklin – I’m Not There
A 13-year-old kid playing a Woody Guthrie/Bob Dylan incarnation is a risky move and lord knows this could have backfired, but Franklin is a alarmingly good and full of fearless confidence. Perhaps it’s all about being too naive to know what’s really at stake, but the teenager is natural, assured and totally in his element. More good things are sure to come from him (possibly in Michel Gondry’s “Be Kind Rewind”). Plus the kid can sing like an angel.
Paul Dano – There Will Be Blood
Dano is another Hirsch-type character actor. He’s been doing fantastic work for a while now (“L.I.E” – a stunning debut, “Taking Lives,” “The Ballad of Jack and Rose “) and most noticeably, or at least most critically acclaimed as the angsty mute in “Little Miss Sunshine.” Not many people have seen Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Blood’ yet, but his fiery moments in the trailer are majestic and the talk of the town is that Dano is ferocious as a fervent preacher trying to rid Daniel Day-Lewis’ greed from his small California town. Dano and awards are a good leap of faith bet here.
Amara Karan – The Darjeeling Limited
Karan’s role as “Rita/Sweetlime,” the ‘Darjeeling Train’ stewardess who hooks up with Jason Schwartzman is essentially her debut performance. There’s little backstory for her to work with and few scenes, but you get the melancholy impression that her character is desperate to leave her life on this train and chase after some other ambitious dream.
Kelly MacDonald – No Country for Old Men
Petite Scottish actress with the thickest of Scottish brogues tackles a sassy, defiant, but supportive West Texas housewife. It’s a small role, but she provides pivotal acting chops to her brief, but memorable scenes. Enough said.
Glen Hansard – Once
We never saw it (shame on us?), but Hansard and the film got great reviews. The Frames singer had never acted before and there’s talk now that his original “Once” score with partner Markéta Irglová, might receive an Oscar nomination. Certainly if the Academy wants some feel good, they should probably revisit this film.
Casey Affleck – The Assassination of Jesse James/Gone Baby Gone
Baby brother has all growed up and surpassed Ben it seems. The younger Affleck brother has been growing ever since Gus Van Sant took him under his wings (small roles in “To Die For,” “Good Will Hunting” and then the co-lead in the underappreciated and minimalist “Gerry”) and has been getting better ever since. His turns in the “Ocean 11″ series have showcased his ability at perfect side-character comedy, but now he’s getting a shot at the big table. The lead role in”Gone Baby Gone” as a detective in over his head has some choice scenes, but his role as the sniveling Robert Ford alongside the subtle Brad Pitt in “The Assassination of Jesse James” is disquietingly unnerving and resonant.
Keep in mind there’s two months left of movies in 2007, so we reserve the right to add more people to this list if the time comes.