disappointment media's Favorite Supporting Actor Performances of 2019

By disappointment media Staff

Sean Boelman's Pick: Aldis Hodge, Clemency

Aldis Hodge in CLEMENCY. Photo Courtesy of NEON.

Although leading actress Alfre Woodard is (rightfully) getting a majority of the awards attention for the film Clemency, supporting actor Aldis Hodge’s performance is integral to the film’s emotional crux. As the inmate causing Woodard’s warden to re-think the career she made out of executing death row prisoners, Hodge’s performance could have caused the film to break just as easily as It allowed it to succeed. Hodge brings so much humanity and emotion to the role that it would be nearly impossible to not be heartbroken by the character’s experiences. Although there have been plenty of films to expertly induce anxiety in 2019, Clemency is perhaps the most effective at making the viewer feel a sense of legitimate dread, largely thanks to Hodge’s wonderful turn.

Camden Ferrell's Pick: Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy

Photo Courtesy of Amazon Studios.

​Shia LaBeouf’s performance in Honey Boy is one of the boldest acting choices of the year. In his semi-autobiographical film, he plays his own father in a role that is so tender yet simultaneously heartbreaking. He captures such a large range of emotions in his performance. He’s a very layered character that is thoroughly explored thanks to LaBeouf’s performance. We get to see him as he loves, supports, and also abuses his son Otis (played by Noah Jupe). It reminds us of the layered and complex relationships a lot of us have with our own parents. The movie doesn’t focus on his ability to hurt and be malicious, but his performance reminds us that everyone is capable of love. This is a role that transcends the screen and functions as a real-life catharsis for LaBeouf as well as those who watch. LaBeouf’s affecting portrayal of fatherhood is the best performance by a supporting actor of 2019.

Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Pesci's performance as Buffalino is more nuanced than the previous work he has done with both De Niro and Scorsese. His character was  more subtle and he played him laid back and relaxed. He was very skeptical of the character because it was different than anything he has done before. The back-and-forth he has with Sheeran (De Niro) and Hoffa (Al Pacino) was spot-on. There is a reason Scorsese wanted him for this role, because it was so different than anything he has done before. I definitely think he should win his second best supporting actor Oscar for this character. He really came full circle from his work in Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and Casino.

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What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!