By Steve Johnston of The Cynical Blog (aka The Film Cynics).
While the Best Actor Oscar might be regarded as the big dog of the Academy Awards, the Best Supporting Actor Oscar tends to hold the more interesting parts: Sidekicks & Bad guys. If you think about it, without the supporting actors along for the ride, our heroes and heroines wouldn't have anything interesting to say or do. Without the Joker, Batman would have just been using his hoarse voice to train circus bears. Would Will Hunting have been able to get his shit together to head to California without Sean Miller telling him "It's not your fault"? Would Henry Hill have been digging so many graves without Tommy DeVito flying off the handle and killing made guys?
While it may seem like an award for second fiddle, this is no silver medal and this year the competition is stacked with a robust array of talent, even if the deck seems stacked clearly in one actor's favour. The Oscar has been ascribed a transformative effect on its recipients, either elevating their careers, or sometimes completely stalling them (sorry Cuba). I have compiled a list of the nominees including how I think the award may or may not change them.
Matt Damon (Invictus)
With an acting Oscar to go with his writing one, he can finally call off all the activism and live it up Vincent Chase style, with Ben Affleck as his hybrid Turtle/Drama. I get the impression that Damon pulling in a post-Oscar paycheque might make studios less cavalier about cranking out Bourne sequels and prequels.
Woody Harrelson (The Messenger)
Give Woody's weird predilection for strange contract requests, like his director going off meat and cheese if he was going to appear on Zombieland, there's no telling what an Oscar would have him asking for. Not a big deal, considering that he's seen a the longshot of the competition.
Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Perhaps with a bonafide Oscar to his name Christopher Plummer can finally be treated like Anthony Hopkins, like he should be. His Canadian heritage will keep him humble, but his contribution to the screen will make sure he's pampered. After 100 films and 80 years on this Earth, he's due, but if that argument didn't work for Peter O'Toole, it ain't gonna work for him.
Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones)
Out of everyone nominated, he's the least likely to change at all. Stanley has proven over the years that he'll take on any role in any project and work his ass off to turn in a great performance. I totally respect this guy, which is why I feel like a bit of a jerk saying I don't think he's gonna walk away with it this year.
Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)
Considering I'd never even heard of this guy until seeing this movie, it's hard to say anything about how he'll be changing, other than assuming he'll probably be turning up as the bad guy in a few upcoming blockbusters (he'd be perfect for Red Skull in Captain America, or maybe the new Green Goblin in the Spider-Man reboot. Having played a delightfully eccentric psychopath in 4 languages in Tarantino's venture into war, he's gotta be the one walking away with the Oscar. Let's just hope he can keep his acceptance speech under 5 minutes.
