A.V. Club's Top 20 Performances of the Decade

[Benny Profane]

Here (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-film-performances-of-the-00s,35851/2/) they are.

Some really great choices and nice surprises, particularly Sam Morton in Morvern Callar and JGL in Mysterious Skin.

This list and mine would be pretty similar, therefore I love this list.

[Sven]

Sometimes I cannot tell which publication I dislike more: this or Slant. With this list, I'm leaning towards this. Jeff Daniels didn't work in TS&tW (sorry, Antoine), Ed Norton is blander than bland in T25thH (that film belongs to Barry Pepper), Julianne Moore in FfH was just doing her crying thing, and anyone who singles out Sarsgaard over Christensen in SG doesn't know what they're talking about.

Good calls on Denzel and Ledger, though. I'm glad they picked Brokeback rather than Batman. And there really is no denying how great Day-Lewis is in There Will Be Blood.

[Robby P]

After recently viewing Milk, I'm surprised Sean Penn is not mentioned.

[Raiders]

Sometimes I cannot tell which publication I dislike more: this or Slant. With this list, I'm leaning towards this. Jeff Daniels didn't work in TS&tW (sorry, Antoine), Ed Norton is blander than bland in T25thH (that film belongs to Barry Pepper), Julianne Moore in FfH was just doing her crying thing, and anyone who singles out Sarsgaard over Christensen in SG doesn't know what they're talking about.

Good calls on Denzel and Ledger, though. I'm glad they picked Brokeback rather than Batman. And there really is no denying how great Day-Lewis is in There Will Be Blood.

I'm not sure whose opinions I object to more: yours or Qrazy's. With this post, I'm leaning towards you.

[Yxklyx]

Sometimes I cannot tell which publication I dislike more: this or Slant. With this list, I'm leaning towards this. Jeff Daniels didn't work in TS&tW (sorry, Antoine), Ed Norton is blander than bland in T25thH (that film belongs to Barry Pepper), Julianne Moore in FfH was just doing her crying thing, and anyone who singles out Sarsgaard over Christensen in SG doesn't know what they're talking about.

Good calls on Denzel and Ledger, though. I'm glad they picked Brokeback rather than Batman. And there really is no denying how great Day-Lewis is in There Will Be Blood.

I don't recall Moore's performance that well and I kinda agree with you regarding Norton; otherwise, I strongly disagree with you regarding Sarsgaard and Daniels.

[dreamdead]

Strangely, I prefer JGL's performance in 500 Days of Summer. It's not a great script, getting caught up in cloying details too often or adhering to the worst parts of rom coms, but JGL anchors that film so well, regardless.

Love Morton as a performer, but I remember being underwhelmed by Morvern Callar. I'm surprised that no Binoche made the list, actually. Would have also liked to have seen any of the South Korean actors from Oasis or Peppermint Candy get some attention.

[Spinal]

Ugh, Christian Bale.

[chrisnu]

Billy Bob! Yes!!!

[Melville]

Jeff Daniels didn't work in TS&tW (sorry, Antoine).

Good calls on Denzel and Ledger, though.
I though Jeff Daniels pretty much owned The Squid and the Whale, and Denzel Washington's performance in Training Day was misdirected ham of the worst sort.

Without putting any thought into it, my main criticism of the list is that Naomi Watts should have been in the top two. That was one of the truly great performances, where you can really feel the emotions, the thoughts, the self-consciousness within her actions.

[Benny Profane]

Glaring omission: Bill the Butcher.

[Melville]

Glaring omission: Bill the Butcher.
Yeah, I'm guessing that they were limiting themselves to one performance per actor.

[Benny Profane]

After recently viewing Milk, I'm surprised Sean Penn is not mentioned.

Sean Penn could be on the list for about 7 great performances from this decade, including that one.

[chrisnu]

Needs more Ellen Burstyn.

[Rowland]

Needs more Jason Statham.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Needs more Dane Cook.

[Fezzik]

Needs more Cowbell.

[Wryan]

Needs more meme-killing posts.

I like the list, generally. There will always be exclusions.

[Sven]

I though Jeff Daniels pretty much owned The Squid and the Whale, and Denzel Washington's performance in Training Day was misdirected ham of the worst sort.

Re: Daniels, I think I thought he was the best part of the movie, but he was also the most not-in-tune with the rest of the movie. But then, I wasn't too impressed with that one, so that's probably a good explanation.

Re: Denzel, he makes what would have been unexceptional exceptional. And if that means calling attention to one's self, I'm for it. Because I'd rather watch a ham than stale bread. Also, I don't think he was as hammy as you say. I think he does many interesting things.

[balmakboor]

Sometimes I cannot tell which publication I dislike more: this or Slant. With this list, I'm leaning towards this. Jeff Daniels didn't work in TS&tW (sorry, Antoine), Ed Norton is blander than bland in T25thH (that film belongs to Barry Pepper), Julianne Moore in FfH was just doing her crying thing, and anyone who singles out Sarsgaard over Christensen in SG doesn't know what they're talking about.

Good calls on Denzel and Ledger, though. I'm glad they picked Brokeback rather than Batman. And there really is no denying how great Day-Lewis is in There Will Be Blood.

I'm confused. I've scrolled up and down through that list countless times and don't see Jeff Daniels anywhere. (He was great in The Squid and the Whale btw.)

[Yxklyx]

The link given was to page 2. Here's the page 1 link:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-film-performances-of-the-00s,35851/

They list 20 performances.

[Dead & Messed Up]

This may seem an odd observation, but I thought Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood felt too affected and mannered. It was so "good" that it was frequently artificial and uninvolving. In certain scenes, it even reminded me of Jon Lovitz's SNL character who would cry out "Acting! Thank you!" I can't be the only one who thinks this.

Unless I am.

[balmakboor]

The link given was to page 2. Here's the page 1 link:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-film-performances-of-the-00s,35851/

They list 20 performances.

Ahh, I see.

I can't find anything especially objectionable and nice to see You Can Count on Me getting a double mention. (I wish they'd made it a triple mention. Kenneth Lonergan's preacher is one of my favorite supporting performances of the decade.)

[balmakboor]

This may seem an odd observation, but I thought Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood felt too affected and mannered. It was so "good" that it was frequently artificial and uninvolving. In certain scenes, it even reminded me of Jon Lovitz's SNL character who would cry out "Acting! Thank you!" I can't be the only one who thinks this.

Unless I am.

I don't know if I agree with you here, but I do feel that way about a lot of the most acclaimed "great" performances. Awards seem to be given out for most acting rather than best acting.

[Spinal]

My 20:

1. Laura Dern - Inland Empire
2. John Cameron Mitchell - Hedwig and the Angry Inch
3. Isabelle Huppert - The Piano Teacher
4. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream
5. Daniel Day Lewis - There Will Be Blood

6. Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean
7. Meryl Streep - Angels in America
8. Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs of New York
9. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
10. Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky

11. Bjork - Dancer in the Dark
12. Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
13. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
14. Kate Dickie - Red Road
15. Ben Kingsley - Sexy Beast

16. Sam Rockwell - Moon
17. Anna Faris - Smiley Face
18. Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
19. Asia Argento - The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things
20. Angela Bettis - May

[Dead & Messed Up]

4. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream
6. Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean
8. Daniel Day Lewis - Gangs of New York
9. Philip Seymour Hoffman - Capote
13. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
17. Anna Faris - Smiley Face
18. Javier Bardem - No Country for Old Men
20. Angela Bettis - May

You are a good man.

[NickGlass]

3. Isabelle Huppert - The Piano Teacher
17. Anna Faris - Smiley Face


Nailed 'em. Nice mention for Dickie, too.

[dreamdead]

I love Spinal's list and will only add the Bolger sisters from In America and Moon So-Ri and Sol Kyung-gu from Oasis.

[Spinal]

I love Spinal's list and will only add the Bolger sisters from In America and Moon So-Ri and Sol Kyung-gu from Oasis.

I have Oasis checked out from the library. Looking forward to it.

[Watashi]

The list is ok. Hathaway wasn't even the best performance in Rachel Getting Married. I'd probably add one of three comedians-turned-dramatic (Sandler in PDL, Ferrell in STF, and Carrey in ESOTSM) and Ryan Gosling in either Lars or Half Nelson.

Don't care for Rourke, Washington, or Giamatti (his Lady in the Water performance is better, but no one would ever agree on a consensus on that).

[Raiders]

Some overlooked personal faves:

Paddy Considine, Dead Man's Shoes
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dirty Pretty Things
Gillian Anderson, The House of Mirth
Gregg Henry, Slither
Frank Langella, Starting Out in the Evening
Nick Nolte, The Good Thief
Julie Delpy, Before Sunset

[Benny Profane]

Ryan Gosling in either Lars or Half Nelson.

.

He was best in The Believer.

[Yxklyx]

This may seem an odd observation, but I thought Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood felt too affected and mannered. It was so "good" that it was frequently artificial and uninvolving. In certain scenes, it even reminded me of Jon Lovitz's SNL character who would cry out "Acting! Thank you!" I can't be the only one who thinks this.

Unless I am.

No you're not. I didn't care for his performance either.

[Fezzik]

I don't know if I agree with you here, but I do feel that way about a lot of the most acclaimed "great" performances. Awards seem to be given out for most acting rather than best acting.

I agree. I find myself more enamored with the performances that are are more subtle to the point of almost being unnoticable.

That's probably why I liked Ledger's performance in Brokeback Mountain more than A Dark Knight. Granted, he made a phenomenal joker, but, he just affected me more in Brokeback.

And this may make me a fanboy (and I don't care) but I still think McKellen's take on Gandalf is one of the best things I've ever seen (I could say that about most of McKellen's work though).

Oh, and funny but true story about McKellen:

He visited Florida State University a few weeks back (his friend, and fellow Knight of the Realm is a physics professor here), and talked to some of the drama classes.

When one of the kids asked him how he chose a script, his answer was on the lines of:

"First, I read the script, then I get high and read it again. If resonates when I am high as much or near as much as it did when I was sober, we have a winner. If it resonates with me more when I'm high, then we have a Terry Gilliam film."

[Yxklyx]

My 20:
1. Laura Dern - Inland Empire
15. Ben Kingsley - Sexy Beast


These are standouts for me.

[ledfloyd]

i like the inclusion of ruffalo. sarsgaard seems a bit out of left field.

[Sven]

"First, I read the script, then I get high and read it again. If resonates when I am high as much or near as much as it did when I was sober, we have a winner. If it resonates with me more when I'm high, then we have a Terry Gilliam film."

Dude, I bet he and Patrick Stewart hang out and get high all the time. How freakin' awesome would that be?

[Eleven]

Some of my personal favorites:

Juliette Binoche, Flight of the Red Balloon
Olivier Gourmet, The Son
Woody Harrelson, The Walker
Ashley Judd, Bug
Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Vincere
Ulrich Muhe, The Lives of Others
Nicole Kidman, The Others
Joaquin Phoenix, Two Lovers
Michel Piccoli, I'm Going Home
Miranda Richardson, Spider

[Boner M]

Hmm, here's everything from this decade that was on my top 40 performances of all time list:

Naomi Watts, Mulholland Dr.
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Mark Ruffalo, You Can Count On Me
Moon So-Ri, Oasis
Luminita Gheorghiu, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
Will Oldham, Old Joy
Sibel Kekilli, Head-On

[Fezzik]

Dude, I bet he and Patrick Stewart hang out and get high all the time. How freakin' awesome would that be?

Speaking of Patrick Stewart, when McKellen was asked what he'd been doing right before he got to Tallahassee, he said he'd been in London doing Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart.

My head almost exploded when I heard that.

[Grouchy]

The list is automatically awesome for including Billy Bob Thornton in Man Who Wasn't There near the top spot.

Awesome quote by McKellen on this thread.

[Bosco B Thug]

Sometimes I cannot tell which publication I dislike more: this or Slant. Wait, you don't think Onion A.V. Club and Slant are two of the few actually good online publication sites in regards to film reviews? They're the only two publication sites I consistently go to for film reviews. I also sometimes look at Salon.com, and that's pretty much it when it comes to big web publications. I don't really go to any newspaper reviewers regularly (that includes the NY Post and Armond)...

Anyway, the list: Ruffalo was the bomb in You Can Count on Me, glad to see it's more praised than I thought.

No complaints about the Björk's selection, she was great, but I'm gonna take issue with the blurb. It describes the character as "an abused little girl in oversized sweaters, always cringing away from the next anticipated blow that life has to offer..." I imagine this is a common perception of the character. But on the contrary, what I found so refreshing about the film was how unlike that description the character came off to me. For instance, how alarmingly pragmatic and intensely single-minded, to a literal fault, the character of Selma was. Hopefully I'll say more about DitD sometime, but for now, I personally don't much care for the "abused little girl" description used to praise her performance.

[B-side]

Some of my personal favorites:

Ashley Judd, Bug

Michael Shannon would like to have a word with you.

http://deeperintomovies.net/journal/image08/bug3.jpg

[lovejuice]

Speaking of Patrick Stewart, when McKellen was asked what he'd been doing right before he got to Tallahassee, he said he'd been in London doing Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart.

My head almost exploded when I heard that.
are you sure it's a play not a weapon of mass destruction?

[Pop Trash]

Anyway, the list: Ruffalo was the bomb in You Can Count on Me, glad to see it's more praised than I thought.


This might be my favorite male performance of this decade. I certainly prefer this over whatever DDL was doing in There Will Be Blood.

[Raiders]

whatever DDL was doing in There Will Be Blood.

He was acting. Magnificently.

[Dukefrukem]

Ugh, Christian Bale.

I don't agree with that either. I'd rather have liked to see Depp's performance in Pirates in there.

[Pop Trash]

He was acting. Magnificently.

ACTING!

[Sven]

ACTING!

As if all grandiosity is to be condemned. Sometimes we are so limiting with our whims.

[Spinal]

Indeed. This is not a font that cries out for a reserved, naturalistic approach to performance:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/titletherewillbeblood.jpg

[Adam]

They also did a best scenes of the decade list (http://www.avclub.com/articles/our-favorite-film-scenes-of-the-00s,35888/) and somehow none of the big three or so show-stopping DDL scenes from There Will Be Blood made the cut

Christian Bale was hilarious in American Psycho and you all know it

Chiwetel Ejiofor in Dirty Pretty Things is a big time omission for me, too

Also, no Bill Murray from either Lost in Translation or The Life Aquatic is tough

[Yum-Yum]

2. John Cameron Mitchell - Hedwig and the Angry Inch
4. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream
10. Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
17. Anna Faris - Smiley Face
20. Angela Bettis - May

You go, girl!

[Sxottlan]

I love Spinal's list and will only add the Bolger sisters from In America...

Yes.

[Fezzik]

They also did a best scenes of the decade list (http://www.avclub.com/articles/our-favorite-film-scenes-of-the-00s,35888/) and somehow none of the big three or so show-stopping DDL scenes from There Will Be Blood made the cut

Christian Bale was hilarious in American Psycho and you all know it

Chiwetel Ejiofor in Dirty Pretty Things is a big time omission for me, too

Also, no Bill Murray from either Lost in Translation or The Life Aquatic is tough

Wow, I went into reading that list thinking I would hate it but look there...Up, Ratatouille, Fellowship, You Can Count on Me, Inglourious Basterds.

Good on ya, guys. Well done.