The Best Performances of 2007
by Brian Tallerico

Ellen Page as Juno MacGuff in Juno

And she can't even legally order a drink. Ellen Page's work in Juno, the much-hyped comedy that burst out of Toronto this year to become a critical darling (and will soon become a commercial one too), is so good that you don't even notice it the first time. As a young woman forced to deal with issues far beyond what anyone her age should deal with, Page is completely believable and funny, but it's the emotional turns of the final act of Juno where this performance really shines. She never hits a wrong note. You never feel like she's pulling your heartstrings or selling you something emotional. You just feel the emotion. It's a star-making turn on the level of Gosling's work last year in Half Nelson. When people talk about the best of her generation now, they'll have to include Page.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

This often difficult category to fill produced some unexpected surprises this year, mostly of the "who knew he had another one in him" variety. We don't mean to imply that anyone on this list is going to die soon. We certainly hope not. But it's often the case that great actors don't get the kind of great roles they did when they were younger after they apply for social security. That's certainly not the case this year. Albert Finney added another great character to his already impressive filmography with Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, and he wasn't alone in the AARP Best Supporting Actor race. A solid top five could include Finney, Hal Holbrook in Into the Wild, Max Von Sydow in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Peter O'Toole in Ratatouille, and Sydney Pollack in Michael Clayton. And that doesn't even get to Tommy Lee Jones' underrated work in No Country For Old Men or the further proof that Ed Harris will never get the credit he deserves in Gone Baby Gone.

As great as those performances were, they weren't what anyone would call surprising. We've come to expect greatness from actors like Harris and Tommy Lee. The surprises came from lesser-known names like Irrfan Khan in The Namesake and Paul Schneider, who's not getting nearly enough credit for his work in both Lars and the Real Girl and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Mark Ruffalo also came back after a few poor career decisions to do excellent work in Zodiac. Finally, there were a pair of widely beloved actors, J.K. Simmons and Jason Bateman, who will soon watch their stars get even shinier as their work in Juno helps turn that film into this year's Little Miss Sunshine.

As great as the two Js in Juno were, even they couldn't crack the top five. In alphabetical order until the top:

Casey Affleck as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

In 2007, not only did we learn that Ben Affleck was a better director than he was an actor, but we also learned that his younger brother was the one to watch in front of the camera. To be honest, Affleck's brilliant work as Robert Ford in one of the best movies of the year is a bit of a cheat - he should be in contention as a lead actor. But it's one of those cases where the studio goes for supporting, so we'll play along. In a film of such vibrant, gorgeous imagery courtesy of master cinematographer Roger Deakins, it's Casey Affleck's haunting eyes that linger most in the mind's eye. He uses his entire body and soul, not just his words, to bring to life a man who both idolized and hated Jesse James at the same time. It's one of the most memorable performances of the year.

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Gust Avrakatos in Charlie Wilson's War

Hoffman gave three excellent performances in 2007, including lead work in The Savages and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, but it's his movie-stealing turn in Charlie Wilson's War that's easily the best. How good is Hoffman in Charlie Wilson's War? Every time he's off-screen, you wish he would come back soon. And that's in a movie that co-stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Amy Adams. Hoffman is one of those rare actors who always interprets a character a little differently than anyone else would, and the mix of humor and gravity that he brings to Gust Avrakatos gives Charlie Wilson's War its true center. It just wouldn't have sounded as good if they called it Gust Avrakatos' War.

Tom Wilkinson as Arthur Edens in Michael Clayton

When the book is finally closed on 2007, two of the most memorable moments of the year will be courtesy of Mr. Tom Wilkinson. First, Tom opens Michael Clayton with an amazing monologue that ranks right up there with some of the best in recent years. Like Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross, Wilkinson is spitting his dialogue at the audience, almost as if his words could do damage. Before you've even seen him, you're wondering who this guy is and what role he'll play in the film you're about to watch. He's drawn you in with his voice alone. And then there's the scene in the alley when you, the viewer, realize that Arthur Edens might not be as crazy as you first thought. And, if he's not, what else about Michael Clayton that you think you know is false? Clooney may be the center of Michael Clayton but Wilkinson is the key that ignites everything around him.

Steve Zahn as Duane Martin in Rescue Dawn

The eyes. Like Casey Affleck in Jesse James, the answer lies in the eyes when it comes to why Steve Zahn's work in Rescue Dawn is so effective. Just try and forget those eyes. From the first time we see Duane Martin at a Laotian POW camp, Zahn telegraphs his deep depression through the most heartbreaking set of eyes the screen as seen in a long time. Duane can't even stand up straight at the beginning of Rescue Dawn. Why bother? And it's his sincere feeling that there is no rescue for him or his camp-mates that makes him so identifiable for the audience. Zahn has worked on the fringe of greatness for years and, with Rescue Dawn, finally gave the performance we've long thought he's been capable of giving. Let's just hope he gets another chance soon.

Javier Bardem as Chigurh in No Country for Old Men

A few actors have won awards in the past for trying to play "evil personified." Anthony Hopkins' turn as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs comes immediately to mind. As played by Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men, if there was a cage match between Chigurh and Lecter in the ultimate evil battle, my money would be on the crazy guy with the weird haircut to kick the cannibal's ass. Chigurh isn't just crazy, he's relentless. There is no stopping him. Consider yourself damn lucky if you wound him. And it's that relentlessness that Bardem brings to the role that makes the performance so damn good. Step aside, Hannibal. There's a new legendary villain in town.

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