The competition for Best Supporting Actress this year is not as heavy as previous years. Most publications seem to have the same five women slotted in their nomination predictions. And since I’m a young hack who ultimately favors a high conjecture percentage over informing you who I thought brought home the best performances this year, I’ll have to also lean their way.
Laurie Metcalf for Lady Bird
I was first introduced to Laurie Metcalf when I was absolutely marveled by her one-episode performance in Louis C.K’s television show Horace and Pete. I remember thinking at the time “I want Laurie Metcalf to be in everything I watch from now until the end of time.”
I was charmed by Lady Bird, and Metcalf’s performance as a mother struggling to keep her lower-middle-class Sacramento family together is one of those few-and-far between reminders of why the art of cinema is beloved. I don’t know of she’ll win the Oscar this year, but I have no doubt that she should.
Allison Janney for I, Tonya
I would wager to say that, pound for pound, I, Tonya has the best performances of any 2017 film. And Janney is no exception, playing the physically abusive, emotionally manipulative, hate inducing mother of figure skater Tonya Harding.
Janney’s character brings along questions similar to J.K Simmon’s character in 2014’s Whiplash: If the motivation that comes from one’s abuse works, does that make it worth it?
Holly Hunter for The Big Sick
Mothers seem to be dominating the category this year, and for good reason. 2017’s film moms have kicked absolute ass. Take, for example, Holly Hunter’s portrayal of a mother who has flown to Chicago to be with her comatose daughter. Hunter’s arc as she does everything she can to insure the health and safety of her daughter while also bonding with said daughter’s ex-boyfriend makes the viewer extremely emphatic to her every decision.
Octavia Spencer for The Shape of Water
This pick took more consideration than the others, mostly because I wonder if the Academy would elect to give the nomination to a smaller name in in light of her being nominated last year for Hidden Figures (a nomination that I believe should have gone to Janelle Monae, but I digress.)
Spencer is still terrific as the supportive-yet-sassy best friend Sally Hawkins’ character. She brings a certain, much-needed moments of levity in scenes of the film that I am not sure would have worked as well without her presence.
Mary J. Blige for Mudbound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xucHiOAa8Rs
I wasn’t aware of Blige’s art at all, outside of her appearance in what is perhaps the greatest fast food commercial of all time.
However, I was struck by the subtlety and tenderness in her performance of a sharecropping mother in post-war Mississippi.
Honorable Mentions
Bria Venite for The Florida Project
Lily James for Darkest Hour
Elizabeth Olsen for Ingrid Goes West
Betty Gabriel for Get Out
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