The 10 Best Performances of 2020

Here are my annual picks for the best performances of 2020. Despite the obvious restrictive nature of the year, there was a lot to choose from, but this was the cream of the crop as far as I’m concerned. Notice, no Frances McDormand in “Nomadland,” she would have probably cracked the top 20. I’m not as big of a fan of that performance and movie as many of my colleagues in film journalism are.

One thing I have noticed the past year, is how few foreign films and performances there were to choose from, no doubt due to Cannes being canceled and Venice delivering only a few options. Of what was released/seen, Mads Mikellson’s work in “Another Round” was a highlight, ditto Viktoria Miroshnichenko in “Beanpole,” and Luca Marinelli in “Martin Eden”. Otherwise, I have to, sadly, contend that this was the worst year for foreign cinema on U.S. shores in quite some time. Hopefully, that changes in 2021.

In all, the list of performers consists of 5 women and 5 men, not chosen on purpose, it just so happened to end up that way.All could very well be Oscar-nominated with the exception of Hugh Jackman (“Bad Education”) whose film, although world premiering at TIFF 2019, bypassed theatrical and was released on HBO in 2020. In an ideal world, all 10 of these actors get Oscar-nominated in March. Also in an ideal world, Kirby/Ahmed/Murray/Raci win the four main categories at the upcoming April ceremony.

Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”

it’s Ahmed that makes the film worthy of a look; the work he does here is silent and mainly in ASL. He ranges from quiet moments to high, extreme levels of acting. This is one of two career-defining performances for the 37-year-old U.K.-born actor, the other being his masterfully mysterious work in the HBO limited series, “The Night Of.” — 10.19.20

Carrie Coon, “The Nest”

“Coon, a commendably underrated actress, gives her best performance to date as Allison, a repressed wife who starts to realize that the privilege she’s been seeking her entire life, and finally got by marrying Rory years ago, may be too toxic to live with.” – 09.17.20

Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman”

For 128 minutes, Vanessa Kirby has you hooked to her every move in Kornel Mundruczo’s “Pieces of a Woman.” As Martha, a high-powered executive who loses her child during a harrowing home birth, Kirby mesmerizes by showcasing the human frailty and devastation that happens when tragedy comes knocking at her door. Her acting tour-de-force reminded me of Gena Rowlands’ masterful work in John Cassavetes’ 1974 classic, “Woman Under the Influence.” 12.20.20

Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

“Boseman’s shattering performance as the self-destructive Levee drives the movie. His best moments here are two highly-charged monologues delivered in passionately devastating ways — the most notable one has him recounting a traumatic incident to his bandmates backstage, a personal tragedy of heartbreak that happened when he was just a child. The late actor gives a fierce and fully-formed delivery of the legendary playwright’s words — he could very well become the third actor to win a posthumous acting Oscar.” —11.20.20

Carey Mulligan “Promising Young Woman”

“Carey Mulligan stars as Cassie a barista and med-school dropout, haunted by her best friend’s dorm-room rape and ensuing suicide. Mulligan delivers another great performance as a woman unafraid to cross the line, even when it means compromising her own moral compass. The biblical saying an eye for eye is used here to the nth degree here.” – 12.23.20

Bill Murray, “On the Rocks”

“Unsurprisingly, Murray steals the show …. It’s a testament to Murray’s talents that you can’t see anyone else pulling off this role. Coppola clearly wrote it for him. Wait until you see Felix and Laura cruising down nighttime Manhattan and being stopped by police, only for Felix to ingeniously get away without a ticket.” – 10.07.20

Anthony Hopkins, “The Father”

“Anthony Hopkins is gunning for that second Best Actor trophy for his brilliant work as Anthony in “The Father.” Playing a man, suffering from Alzheimer’s, who refuses all assistance from his daughter as his mental state deteriorates, Hopkins and director Florian Zeller create an indelible portrait of identity loss” — 12.14.20

Hugh Jackman, “Bad Education”

“Jackman and Janney are the perfect match to carry “Bad Education” forward, both delivering darkly comedic performances. In fact, this could very well be a career peak for Jackman, an Aussie actor who has had plenty of commercial hits in his career, but has not always had his talents taken seriously by critics. His Frank is a man who can be liable one second and repugnant the next.“ – 09.09.19

Paul Raci, “Sound of Metal”

“Ruben enters a facility meant as rehab for the deaf — that’s when the owner of the facility, Joe (Paul Raci) comes in. Joe uses English and ASL, but primarily ASL, as he quickly becomes the ultimate guide for Ruben, the voice of judgment who tries to introduce the now ex-drummer into a foreign world, where sound is all but forgotten and reliance on sign language is essential. Raci, whose parents were deaf and who knows the realm inside and out, is perfect in the part, he deserves a Best Supporting Actor nom.” — 10.19.20