The 2013 RyMickey Awards - Best Supporting Actor

I'm quite pleased to note that in 2013, I felt like roles for women far outshone the roles for men.  The Best Supporting Actor Award, for instance, left me with very few choices I could rally behind.  (Interestingly enough, I wasn't really blown away by 2012's crop of contenders either.)  All of the Oscar nominees -- Abdi, Fassbender, Cooper, and Hill -- were good, but not mind-blowing, and the Oscar winner -- Jared Leto -- doesn't even make it onto my radar for this list as I thought it was a poorly underwritten role that never allowed the actor to shine.

With that being said, here are my thoughts on the Best Supporting Actor of 2013.

Best Supporting Actor 2013

Honorable Mentions
#6 - Michael Fassbender - 12 Years a Slave

"Fassbender is at his best in scenes involving Sarah Paulson as his wife and newcomer Lupita Nyong'o as his lover.  Fassbender excels at radiating jealousy and he's near perfect at playing such a nasty guy. "

[It should be noted, that I can't help but think I've under-appreciated Fassbender's role.  That quote above from my original review calls him "near perfect" even.  However, as I look back on the year, I don't really remember why I loved it so much.  He was certainly good, but a repeat viewing may be necessary to fully appreciate his work.]

And the Top Five...

#5 - Jonah Hill - The Wolf of Wall Street

Playing a Long Island nobody whom the film's main character grooms into his right hand man, Jonah Hill gives us his best work yet.  Fortunately, he still gets to utilize his comedic chops, but in a much more sophisticated (though still raucous) way.

#4 - Tom Hanks - Saving Mr. Banks

Sure, Tom Hanks was playing a movie industry studio head and that same studio was making the film, so people couldn't help but say that Hanks' portrayal of Walt Disney was a bit of an overly nice whitewash of the iconic figure.  However, Disney isn't a perfect guy here.  He's headstrong and not entirely willing to budge, but he's also kind and considerate with a difficult past that (although not delved into greatly in the film) rises to the surface every now and then creating a more nuanced performance than it appears.

#3 - Paul Dano - Prisoners

There's a creepiness exuding from Paul Dano in Prisoners that always has you questioning his character's guilt or innocence.  It's a very tricky role that has the audience sympathizing with and despising him during the same moments.

#2 - Matthew McConaughey - The Wolf of Wall Street

I'm not even sure if McConaughey is in this movie for more than ten minutes, but he steals the show in the flick's initial moments, creating such an extremely braggadocian character that he'd be almost abhorrent if it weren't for the actor's ability to wryly smirk his way out of obnoxiousness.  For all the buzz he got for Dallas Buyer's Club (and an accompanying Oscar win), this was McConaughey's best role in 2013.

#1 - Keith Stanfield - Short Term 12

Battered, beaten down, and essentially told he was worthless, Keith Stanfield's Marcus touches us with his upsetting sense of deflated worth.  Feeling as if he was left behind, he doesn't really know how to react when people show him any modicum of respect and care.  Stanfield just gripped me here emotionally, making me angry for Marcus's struggle, but hopeful for his potential success.  His rap scene -- wow.  The young actor easily -- there was really no competition -- takes the top spot here.

Previous RyMickey Award Winners
2012
2011
2010
2009