Best Actress in a Supporting Role 1994: Ranking

Medie Ekim 22, 2022

5. Helen Mirren in The Madness of King George

Helen Mirren is limited by a rather standard part but she nonetheless does some impressive work, effectively portraying the Queen's anguish over her husband's condition as well as her determination to get him back.

Best scene: The King accuses Queen Charlotte of having an affair with her own son.

4. Jennifer Tilly in Bullets over Broadway

Jennifer Tilly delivers a wonderfully entertaining performance, perfectly showing the reasons why the character would be so annoying to the other characters without actually making her performance annoying. What is lacking in depth is completely made up for by her terrific comedic timing and delivery.

Best scene: Olive practises her "superior laugh" in the car.

3. Rosemary Harris in Tom & Viv

A quietly haunting piece of work. Harris delivers a masterclass in subtlety, poignantly conveying Rose' concern over her daughter's condition. She's the movie's heart and conscience and her final scenes are a knockout.

Best scene: Rose's final confrontation with Tom.

2. Dianne Wiest in Bullets over Broadway

Wiest manages to add some nuance and vulnerability to a potentially one-note character, but it's the comedy that makes her so unforgettable: she is the definition of scene-stealer and gives an over-the-top performance without ever becoming hammy. She gives an absolutely hilarious performance from start to finish.

Best scene: "Don't speak!"

1. Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction

Thurman delivers a unique performance that fits perfectly within Tarantino's vision: she is a captivating, magnetic presence and she shares a brilliant chemistry with John Travolta. It's a performance that is extremely funny at times and quietly heartbreaking in others. Amazing work.

Best scene: Mia tells the joke.

Honorable Omissions: Kirsten Dunst gives one of my favorite child performances ever in Interview with the Vampire: she is chilling when she reveals Claudia's ruthless side beneath her sweet looks and she is amazing at portraying the plight of her character later on in the movie, as she is a teenager, and then an adult, trapped inside a child's body. It's a phenomenal portrayal from a wonderful actress. Brooke Smith' performance in Vanya on 42nd Street is incredible as well: she is luminous and warm in the role of Sonya and she's absolutely devastating as she reveals her character's vulnerability and loneliness due to her plain appearence. Her final monologue is utter brilliance. I know many people find it a weak movie, but I personally enjoyed The Hudsucker Proxy very much and I thought Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance was wonderful: she is great at channeling the style of the 40s screwball comedies but past that she shares a poignant and entertaining chemistry with Tim Robbins and she does a beautiful job at conveying Amy's gradual loss of her cynism. Mia Kirshner is terrific in Exotica, bringing both the sensuality and the sensitivity needed for the role and gradually revealing the layers of her character. Arsinée Khanjian is also very effective in the same movie - she doesn't really have a developement but she's a calm, reassuring and warm presence and she's quite moving at portraying her character's sadness. Kristin Scott Thomas' performance as the sophisticated yet lonely friend of the main character in Four Weddings and a Funeral is just wonderful, and the scene in which she reveals her love for him is just heartbreaking. Alfre Woodard is fantastic in Crooklyn, effectively conveying her character's warmth, hidden behind her stern façade, as well as the exhaustion that comes from her hard life. Sally Field is both warm and touching in her limited role in Forrest Gump. Virna Lisi is outstanding as Caterina De Medici in Queen Margot, and I wish she was in the movie more: she is brilliant at portraying her character's manipulative nature making for an excellent villain but I particularly loved the small, isolated moments in which Lisi conveys a certain bitterness or even remorse.
The next year: As requested, 1969.

My Best Supporting Actress Ballot: