Florence Pugh in Lady Macbeth
Based on the novel "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District" by Nikolai Leskov, 2017's Lady Macbeth features incredible central breakthrough performance from the young Florence Pugh. She plays Katherine, a young woman living a loveless marriage who begins an affair with a man who works on the land... and the final result is simply mesmerizing! In her second feature film (the first was 2014's The Falling), Miss Pugh emerges as a true cinematic magnet and as a one to watch of the new generation. And I'm confident enough to say she will make an impression during award season thanks to Lady Macbeth (I wouldn't overlook her Oscar chances in this year's race, people!).
Nuno Lopes in São Jorge (Saint George)
Do you remember a small Portuguese movie titled Alice? Marco Martins directed that one and it starred Nuno Lopes. The same director&actor duo brings São Jorge (Saint George), a hit of 2016's edition of Venice Film Festival and (recently announced as) the official Portuguese Best Foreign Picture submission. And guess what? This Portuguese actor delivers a true tour de force performance as Jorge, a man who, as a means of paying off his debt and persuading his wife to remain in Portugal, accepts a job with a debt-collection agency, which drags him into a world of violence and crime. One of the best performances of the year! Fingers crossed so awards' associations notice this little acting gem!
Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
The star of one of the biggest box-office and critical successes of the year - Get Out! Daniel Kaluuya delivers one of the most effective acting performances of the year in the way both performance and movie itself complement each other. At first, Kaluuya presents us with subtle acting, emotional acting and some "hold your breath" moments... And then it turns into a very physical performance, a man turned into beast with "just don't dare to breath" moments. A true star-making acting turn!
Tiffany Haddish in Girls Trip
Girls Trip was an unexpected critically raved box-office hit - but "damn yeah!" thank God it was! The movie's soul lives mostly in its leading ladies performances, but I have to highlight Tiffany Haddish's work in this one! She's just so much fun! Hilarious and charming, she builds a character that's pure cinematic addiction. And what about more than holding herself against more experienced actresses like her co-stars? A standing ovation for Haddish's star-making performance. I would say her success kind reminds me of Melissa McCarthy's in Bridesmaids - the same kind of female-driven raunchy comedy, an hilarious supporting role and a charismatic performance - but will Haddish get the same award attention McCarthy got some years ago? Well, maybe... we will see! Awards aren't kind to comedies, but sometimes they go for some good ones.
Timothée Chamalet in Call Me By Your Name
You might recognize Chamalet from Homeland TV series or from Christopher Nolan's Interstellar (2014), but it is his work in Call Me By Your Name that will define him as an actor for years to come! Such an incredible performance. This young man is a true revelation: with a subtle and soulful portray of a sexual awakening, Chamalet reaches a Hollywood legend-caliber acting level. I don't have much more to add...! Oscar chances? Yes, please. I know he's young (he's only 21 years old) and AMPAS doesn't go for male actors this young, but he's just too good to ignore and the movie is one of the most acclaimed movies of the year (and one of the most Oscar buzzy too!).
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