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Best Actor Performances of 2014

2014 was a terrific year for cinema and the same goes for acting performances. While the ladies definitely had it better this year than the gents, we still got some male performances that were instantly memorable and are even regarded as the career-best work for their respective actors. Whether in supporting or lead roles, these actors impressed me the most this year.

5. Tom Hardy – Locke

Tom Hardy has always been a great actor, but up until this point in his career he rarely got to really act in a strong role worthy of his talent. As Ivan Locke, Hardy felt very believable, nuanced and superb. His Welsh accent is quite memorable and the character’s calm demeanor despite all odds made him different and unique. A lot of emotions went through his face through the span of this underrated chamber drama that deserved more love from the awards. Hardy was also snubbed for most awards, which is a shame as this remains his best work by far.

4. Alfred Molina – Love Is Strange

Love Is Strange is one of the most touching films of the year, featuring an older gay couple, which we rarely see in movies. Alfred Molina played the more introspective partner of the two, but through his eyes alone we could see many emotions playing out. He was effectively the protagonist of the story and the third act was particularly emotional as it focused on the character’s pain and sadness. Molina has always been a terrific actor and this just might be his best work to date.

3. Jack O’Connell – Starred Up, ‘71

This young British actor showed so much potential that he really should have gotten more roles after this year, which sadly didn’t quite happen. It’s sad that the Academy often ignores the lesser-known performances from the UK that aren’t in biopics. I also contend that if an actor had more than one great role, he should definitely be nominated. This was the case with Jack O’Connell, a guy who had such a tremendous 2014. His work in ’71 is terrific and quite memorable, but it is in Starred Up where he delivered his best performance – his charisma, viciousness and kineticism made him instantly believable in this tough, realistic role.

2. J. K. Simmons – Whiplash

J. K. Simmons rightfully won an Oscar for this terrific, all-consuming performance. This is one of the most deserved Oscar winners of the decade. He is magnetic, passionate and oh so terrible, but also genuinely caring at times. The mix of the two sides of his personality was beautifully showcased. Terence Fletcher is one of the best film characters of the decade and Whiplash is one of the greatest films of the year and the biggest reason why it works as well as it does is because of Simmons’ incredibly committed acting. This is the actor’s best role for sure.

1. Jake Gyllenhaal – Nightcrawler

It is a foregone conclusion by now that Jake Gyllenhaal’s exclusion from the Best Actor race this year was one of the biggest snubs in Oscar history. He deserved to win, not just get nominated, so this constituted a major snub. In what just might be his career-best work, Gyllenhaal played one of the worst human beings ever put on screen. Menacing, heartless and genuinely disturbing, Lou shows no remorse and no humanity. The film cleverly depicts a monstrous man as being extremely smart, conniving and competent while also being a sickeningly sweet talker. Jake made all of his scenes count as he was magnetic throughout. He continues to be one of the best and most underrated actors of his generation.

Honorable Mentions:

Andy Serkis – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Motion capture performances are not recognized by most awards, but work like this definitely should be honored. Andy Serkis has never been better than he was as the magnificent Caesar in the amazing Dawn.

Ethan Hawke – Boyhood – This is one of Hawke’s most serious roles. It’s not a big role, but he was grounded and memorable in every scene that he got.

Robert Downey Jr. – The Judge – I am not the biggest fan of this actor and I find the performance that got him the Oscar quite mediocre, but he should have been recognized for his work in The Judge, which is easily his best and most competent performance to date.

John Lithgow – Love Is Strange – This was a very moving role from an obviously amazing actor. He was terrific in this touching flick and he would have been on the list had he been in it more.

Eddie Redmayne – The Theory of Everything – Eddie Redmayne did get the Oscar for his turn here and he was very believable and strong throughout, but it’s one of those standard biopic roles, so he wasn’t the most exciting choice this particular year.