Christian Bale in The Fighter
The performance of the supporting cast is just as essential as the lead role in any movie - and this year we have seen some outstanding turns.
So today we take a look at the stars who have picked up a nod in the Best Supporting Actor category as they battle it out to get their hand on that little gold statuette.
Christian Bale - Well it’s fair to say that it’s Christian Bale that has been the hogging the spotlight in this category.
Yes the British actor has been drowning in awards - and rightly deserved - as he FINALLY finds himself nominated at the Oscars - it has been a long time coming did they not see The Machinist?
Bale is back in The Fighter and, in true Bale fashion, has gone above and beyond the call of duty in preparing for his role, as Dicly Eklund a former boxer who has a cocaine addict.
Looking dreadfully gaunt Bale brings a huge piece of realism to his performance as he steals the show.
John Hawkes - Every year there is always one acting talent who steps out of the shadows and shows us what they have got and this year it's John Hawkes.
Hawkes picks up his vert first nomination for his role in Winter's Bone, a movie that is winning over critics left right and centre.
It's a superb performance from Hawkes as he is a man who is torn between the obligations to his family and the criminal codes.
Jeremy Renner - Just twelve months ago Jeremey Renner was picking up his first Oscar nomination for The Hurt Locker and now he is back for his supporting turn in The Town.
Renner's performance in this gritty crime thriller just backs up why he grabbed everyone's attention last year as he once again demonstrates that he really is an exciting talent.
Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right was one of the films of 2010 that you really should have seen. And while the script was excellent it was the performances of the very talented cast that really stood out.
Ruffalo plays sperm donor Paul who comes face to face with his two children when they set out to find him.
Ruffalo brings a likeability factor to a character that could merely be seen as just a stud Paul really connects with his children and a great bond is evident between Ruffalo, Wasikowska and Hutcherson.
Geoffrey Rush - While everyone may be raving about Colin Firth’s central performance in The King’s Speech - all of which is rightly deserved - Geoffrey Rush is just as responsible of this great movie.
Rush puts in a great turn as the somewhat unorthadox speech therapist Lionel Logue.It’s this central relationship that pushes the movie forward and makes it worth seeing as they break down barriers that separate them to become great friends.
It's a heartwarming and uplifting movie and these two well rounded, perfectly delivered characters are it's heart and soul.
The winners will be announced 27th February.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Christian Bale The Oscars