2005 Calvins: Best Breakthrough Performance
By Kim Hollis
February 17, 2005
It's always a pleasure to reward actors whose performances were so significant and memorable, it's almost certain to lead to even greater things in the future. Whether they are television actors who found themselves suddenly lauded for big-screen talent or simply newcomers who made us stand up and take note, this category allows us the chance to heap praise upon the people who made us say, "I didn't know they could do that!"
Topping our list is Zach Braff, who is laudable not only for his somber, introspective performance in Garden State, but also because he wrote the screenplay and directed the film. Though the BOP staff has been aware of Braff's talent for years thanks to his starring role on the marvelous NBC comedy Scrubs, it was his ability to show range beyond the pratfalling Dr. Dorian on that program that really caught our attention. His character, a young man who has returned home after the death of his mother and is contending with a lifetime of drug therapy, is solemn and deliberate. While we're probably better able to relate to the peripheral characters, his is the centerpiece that moves the story and makes our hearts sing.
Our runner-up for breakthrough performance is a newcomer named Catalina Sandino Moreno, who had a very difficult role to play in Maria Full of Grace. In the film, she portrays a Columbian woman who agrees to be a drug mule in order to make money for her family. The perils of this occupation are brought to the forefront in harrowing fashion, and it's Moreno who keeps us grounded and continuing to watch despite the grotesque events that occur throughout her journey.
Some of the BOP staffers have had the opportunity to see Simon Pegg in all his glory on the outstanding BBC comedy series Spaced, but without a region-free DVD player or residence in Great Britain that has proven to be a tricky task for the most part. Thanks to Rogue Pictures' release of his film Shaun of the Dead on North American shores, everyone can see what a hilarious young man he is. In addition to playing the lead role in Shaun of the Dead, he also co-wrote the screenplay, a brainy, pop culture-filled parody of the zombie genre. Probably the ultimate honor was paid to Pegg when he was awarded a cameo in George Romero's upcoming film, Land of the Dead. To have the zombie master think highly enough of your movie that he wants you in his own is high praise, indeed.
Although she's had small roles in movies before, it wasn't until this year and M. Night Shyamalan's The Village that Bryce Dallas Howard had the chance to lead a cast. Virtually unknown other than the fact that she is Ron Howard's daughter, she made a statement with her performance as a blind young woman who is determined to help keep her village safe. Even those who were less than enchanted with the film were left impressed with Howard's abilities.
Next up, we have a 12-year-old who was more than able to hold his own with the likes of Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Julie Christie in Finding Neverland. As the boy who ultimately provided the inspiration for Peter Pan, Highmore gives an emotionally resonant performance. We can't wait to see him as Charlie Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It's hard to say that Thomas Haden Church actually "broke through" with his remarkable performance as Jack in Sideways; however, he did show that he is now a force to be reckoned with in the movies in addition to being a hilarious television actor. While it should have been easy to hate his cad of a character - a lying, cheating S.O.B. if ever there was one - he infuses the guy with such humanity that we wind up liking him despite his (many) flaws. As such, we can totally understand why the women in this film would fall for this guy.
Seventh place sees another Sideways performer; this time, it's Sandra Oh, whose Stephanie falls for the aforementioned Jack. Previously relegated to bit parts, Oh is caustic and funny here, not to mention sexy as hell.
As the centerpiece of The Girl Next Door, Elisha Cuthbert made us believe that a porn star…excuse me, "adult film actress," could be sweet and almost strangely innocent. It's a big step up from her role as the annoying Kim on "24". Takeshi Kaneshiro, who started out as a Chinese teen idol but is now a legitimate star in Asia, had his first role in a film that received fairly wide North American distribution. And although he was playing alongside people we've come to know (Zhang Ziyi and Andy Lau), his performance in House of Flying Daggers stood out as the centerpiece of the film. He's charismatic, emotive and quick-witted as a police officer who must pose as a rebel in order to get close to the daughter of the leader of the Flying Daggers. Finally, Eva Amurri turned our heads with her role as the "bad girl" at her Christian school. The only Jewish student amongst a slew of strict Christians, she's the most memorable of a group of misfits.
Additional performers who were just on the cusp of the top ten were The Girl Next Door's Emile Hirsh, Jon Heder of Napoleon Dynamite (you didn't vote for him? Gosh!), Anchorman's Steve Carell, Rodrigo de la Serna (The Motorcycle Diaries) and Steven Chow of Shaolin Soccer (and the upcoming Kung Fu Hustle).
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Top 10
|
| Position |
Person |
Film |
Total Points |
| 1 |
Zach Braff |
Garden State |
85 |
| 2 |
Catalina Sandino Moreno |
Maria Full of Grace |
72 |
| 3 |
Simon Pegg |
Shaun of the Dead |
70 |
| 4 |
Bryce Dallas Howard |
The Village |
60 |
| 5 |
Freddie Highmore |
Finding Neverland |
51 |
| 6 |
Thomas Haden Church |
Sideways |
36 |
| 7 |
Sandra Oh |
Sideways |
35 |
| 8 |
Elisha Cuthbert |
The Girl Next Door |
34 |
| 9 |
Takeshi Kaneshiro |
House of Flying Daggers |
28 |
| 10 |
Eva Amurri |
Saved! |
26 |
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