Let the rest of the movie play out as you know it's going to and focus your attention on an actor who truly is worth the money. This guy is such a charismatic movie star that his abilities tend to get overlooked. Not here. Comedy, drama, action, romance — this guy can do it all. Not a great character actor in the Johnny Depp sense, but Depp has his limitations, too. There are two scenes with Smith's real-life son, one of which is a dialogue-free heartbreaker in the belly of a subway system, that just rip your heart out. Believe the hype and go see the movie, even if you're only going to watch the star.
10. Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)
The most selfless cast of the year was the incredible ensemble in Little Miss Sunshine. To make it easier on us, they even keep one character speechless for two-thirds of the movie. But the heart and soul is Abigail Breslin, whose work here is pretty brave. She's not a beauty queen yet that's what she wants to be. So to win, Olive Hoover has to go about things a different way. Well, the movie sure goes about things in its own unique way. So too does Breslin, who could've been overshadowed by the experience and the name recognition of the rest of the cast, but who rises above all that with a terrific display of honesty and an alarming knack for timing.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
Great job, Colin! I've shamefully missed most of the above -- thankfully that's what netflix is for!
2 - Ty
"Helen Mirren or no, Ellen Page is the best actress of 2006"
Finally, some respect for Hard Candy!
3 - Victor Plenty
Or respect for Ellen Page, at any rate.