Oscar Countdown 2014: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

This year probably has the best group of acting nominees in recent memory. Any one of the 20 men and women could win, and very little would complain if they do (only in that some are more deserving than others). Because of this, we're doing a special four-week event, in which we break down each of the acting categories and their respective nominees. This week, we're diving into a category rich with heartbreak, shown through a group of women able to stand in the spotlight among such worthy competition. Today, we're looking at the category Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Here are the nominees:


Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

Perhaps the most worthy achievement of Sally Hawkin's performance in Blue Jasmine is her uncanny ability to hold her own against Cate Blanchett's all-in performance. Hawkins plays Ginger, who just wants a regular life with her obnoxious but devoted boyfriend, but cannot seem to get a break from her emotional sister. Hawkins rightfully earns her first Oscar nomination here, because she makes the audience feel completely sorry for her, and just acts so... normal. There's no acting going on here; it's all so believable, and for that, Hawkins deserves a place among these stars.
OSCAR CHANCES: LOW


Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle

The Academy rarely gives consecutive Oscars for actors (with Tom Hanks being the notable exception, after his Best Actor two-punch in '93 and '94), but Jennifer Lawrence's brassy performance in American Hustle is just too awesome to ignore. Her Rosalyn is the out-of-control wife of Christian Bale's Irving, and Lawrence gives a dynamite performance that is arguably one of the year's best. In a relatively short screen time, the unbelievably talented actress steals the show- not an easy feat considering the high caliber nature of the movie's ensemble. Whether it's head-banging "Live and Let Die" while cleaning, cooking aluminum in a microwave, or having an electric encounter with co-star Amy Adams in the bathroom, there are multiple scenes which could earn Lawrence another Oscar. And being America's Girl on Fire, it's doubtful anyone would really care if she wins twice in a row.
OSCAR CHANCES: HIGH


Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave is a far-from-humble historical epic that depicts the brutal atrocities committed in the slavery-bound south. Lupita Nyong'o is the exact opposite- a modest yet amazingly talented actress straight out of Yale. In her first-ever film role, Nyong'o's Patsey becomes the symbol of oppression, a devastatingly abused field slave who becomes the object of her master's obsessions and desires. There's no escape for her, and she holds the weight of an entire race on her heavily-scarred back. It's a role that the Academy loves to award, a12 Years a Slave, she's the most likely to take home the prize.
nd of all the actors up for
OSCAR CHANCES: HIGH


Julia Roberts, August: Osage County

August: Osage County remains the definition of over-acting in a motion picture. That being said, there are quite a few exceptional performances in the film- and Julia Roberts gives perhaps the most impressive. In her first Oscar nomination since Erin Brockovich, Roberts makes a glorious comeback nearly a decade after captivating audiences in the 1990's. It's shocking there is not more publicity surrounding this (probably because there were so many great comebacks this year), but an Oscar nomination is a pretty nice consolation prize.
OSCAR CHANCES: LOW

June Squibb, Nebraska

A crabby old lady who's experienced a lot of suffering over the years, Kate, as portrayed by June Squibb, is nonetheless arguably the most interesting character in Alexander Payne's midwestern opus Nebraska. June Squibb gives a soulful, hysterical performance as the wife of the lead character and the mother to Will Forte's David. Squibb reflects a multitude of grandmother archetypes, and in combination with the sharp screenplay, she comes across as being very realistic. And while she may seem harsh to her lover, in the end, we know that she will do anything for her family. Squibb's first time nomination could yield the actress a well-deserved career Oscar, as a loving tribute to the actress that has done so much over the years.
OSCAR CHANCES: MEDIUM


There seems to be two competitors locked in combat over first place: Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong'o. They've split the awards circuit, with Lawrence claiming most of the critic's group and the Golden Globe, yet Nyong'o took home the important SAG prize. Because of Lawrence's win last year, in combination with the type of role the Academy loves to honor, Nyong'o appears to be in the lead. With no more indicators before the big night, audiences will be captivated to see who ultimately ends up on top. An upset is highly unlikely, since these two seem pretty solid; however, because of the late-career nomination and age of the Academy voters, June Squibb could have a shot in the dark chance. However, don't expect this to happen, because it's going to be the straight-out-of--school newcomer vs. America's sweetheart.

Bottom line, here are my predictions as of January 31st, 2013:

WILL WIN: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
COULD WIN: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
SHOULD WIN: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle