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I wrote recently about how this year’s Best Actress race seems to ushering in a striking new wave of young talent, from the elfin throwback charm of Carey Mulligan to the rawer screen presence of Gabourey Sidibe, while a range of youthful names, from the long-hyped Abbie Cornish to the out-of-nowhere Katie Jarvis, have been racking up critical plaudits all year.
Whether Academy voters comply or not, it’s hard to disagree that it’s a good year to be a fresh face.
Meanwhile, the industry’s male twentysomethings may have enjoyed less frenzied acclaim than their fairer counterparts, but the likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Whishaw and – yes – Shia LaBeouf have kept things ticking over for the generation quite respectably.
So, with the teen-driven narratives of “An Education” and “Precious” heading for theaters soon, and with the youth romance of “Bright Star” currently pleasing older arthouse audiences, it seemed an apt moment to celebrate the new guard by ranking the finest talent that the born-after-1980 generation has to offer.
And believe me when I tell you it was one of the trickiest lists I’ve ever compiled on this site. The more I contemplated recent successes and breakthroughs, the longer the shortlist of candidates grew, spanning Academy-endorsed names already on the A-list (Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal) to quirkier talents from the indie and foreign sectors (Sam Riley, Emilie Dequenne). I like to think that the fact that I struggled as much as I did to narrow the list down to 10 names bodes very well for the future.
To make things slightly easier on myself, I imposed several restrictions on myself, beginning with the under-30 qualification. I also decided that every actor on the list had to have wowed me on more than one occasion, whether in film or another medium, eliminating the possibility of single-performance stunners like Riley or Jarvis.
I kept the focus on potentially great actors rather than evident great movie stars: an Anne Hathaway, for example, has star quality oozing out her ears, but I’m not yet convinced she has the same depth of talent these 10 do. Yet. And I limited myself to actors who are currently on song (or were, the last time we saw them): Scarlett Johansson, say, would have been a cinch for this list four years ago, but she’s been letting her gifts lie dangerously dormant ever since.
Finally, I don’t need to tell you to regard this list more as a highly subjective conversation-starter than anything more concrete; I myself am not that pleased with its English-language dominance, but the vagaries of foreign-language distribution make it that much harder to track the careers of international up-and-comers.
There are any number of names I was hesitant to leave out, be it Evan Rachel Wood or Gaspard Ulliel, but the ten names here all represent careers I can imagine eagerly following for years to come. I look forward to growing old with them.
10. Nicholas Hoult
As a gawky 12 year-old, Hoult may have impressed in “About a Boy,” sparring opposite Hugh Grant with admirable lack of cuteness, but it was hard to see what kind of career lay ahead for a child actor with such a tart register and ungainly presence. Rather to the surprise of everyone, then, he grew into a teen heartthrob of sorts, winning cult favor (and revealing advanced chops) as slippery high-school player Tony in British TV drama “Skins” (which also gave us Dev Patel). Now 19 and entering the adult stage of his career, he’s off to a smashing start with an alert, seductively ambiguous turn opposite Colin Firth in Tom Ford’s festival hit “A Single Man.”
9. Nicolas Duvauchelle
Allow me a wild card, if you will. Many of you won’t yet have heard of 29 year-old Parisian actor and model Duvauchelle, but France’s premier auteurs certainly have: this year alone has seen the guy’s face (and ink-heavy physique) crop up in new works from Alain Resnais, André Téchiné and Claire Denis. It was Denis who gave Duvauchelle his break a decade ago in “Beau Travail,” and he lights up her latest, “White Material,” with frightening intensity. Meanwhile, his nervy, charismatic turn in Téchiné’s “The Girl on the Train” (screening at the upcoming London Film Festival) seals his arrival.
8. Rebecca Hall
The 27 year-old daughter of theatre legend Sir Peter, Hall has been a staple on Next Big Thing lists for the last couple of years, but it took me a little while to become convinced she had greatness within her. Her winningly spiky work opposite James McAvoy in Brit-com “Starter for 10″ was a promising, well, starter, but things have only really clicked in the last year, as she effortlessly anchored Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” with its most rounded, grounded characterization and then proceeded to knock my socks off in UK TV sensation “Red Riding,” where her prickly turn as a grieving young mother showcased a previously unseen sexual magnetism.
7. Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet
That two Gallic compatriots make this list is testament to the stunning array of acting talent bursting out of France at the moment: see Melanie Laurent, Louis Garrel and Gaspard Ulliel for further evidence. But if I had to bet money on any one of them staying the course, it’d be the fantastically named 21 year-old Leprince-Ringuet, who has traded in terse vulnerability since his startling 2003 debut in André Téchiné’s “Strayed.” It’s in a pair of Christophe Honoré films that he really announced himself: in “Love Songs” (which showed off his musical chops, too) and “La Belle Personne,” he played two different but equally moving riffs of teenage heartache; it’ll be interesting to see how he matures.
6. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Gordon-Levitt might have ranked even higher on this list if I hadn’t found him a tad self-regarding in his supposed breakout role in “(500) Days of Summer,” but there’s no mistaking that the 28 year-old actor has the goods – and has had them for several years now, ever since his affectingly stoic childhood turn in “A River Runs Through It” way back in 1992. Of course, his fearlessly assured, haunting performance as an emotionally scarred teenage prostitute in Gregg Araki’s “Mysterious Skin” remains his career high thus far – but with names like Christopher Nolan in his Rolodex, he’s going to have more than enough chances to improve on it.
5. Abbie Cornish
Before you ask: no, I haven’t yet seen “Bright Star.” But for all the Oscar talk swirling around her work there, I don’t feel I’m cheating since Cornish firmly earned her spot on lists like these years ago, with the Australian one-two punch of “Somersault” and “Candy.” She burned up the screen in the former, as a teenage drifter gradually grasping the power of her own sexuality, and consolidated that promise in the latter, matching a top-form Heath Ledger scene for scene as an infatuated junkie. Some rough years followed; happily, with multiple critics swooning over her teaming with Jane Campion, she appears to be back in the zone.
4. Andrew Garfield
Another young British talent who has been afforded his biggest opportunities on the box so far, 26 year-old livewire Garfield is just one well-timed big-screen role away from deserved stardom. His prominent Hollywood debut in Robert Redford’s “Lions for Lambs” was a bit of a false start; perhaps he’ll have more luck opposite Keira Knightley and fellow Next Big Thing Carey Mulligan in next year’s “Never Let Me Go.” In the meantime, we have the glories of his astonishing, BAFTA-winning turn as a reformed youth murderer in “Boy A,” as well as his steely headlining of the aforementioned “Red Riding,” to fall back on.
3. Carey Mulligan
No, it’s not just “An Education” – though her vivid, heartbreaking work in Lone Scherfig’s coming-of-age drama would be enough of a calling-card for any actor. But the day I knew Carey Mulligan was a powerhouse came almost three years ago, as I watched her go toe-to-toe with an imperious Kristin Scott-Thomas in the Royal Court stage revival of “The Seagull,” delivering the legendary “I am the seagull” monologue with such searing conviction it earned her spontaneous applause in the theater. If/when anyone commits that to film, Mulligan will be unbeatable for Best Supporting Actress; for now, she’s a fearsome threat anyway.
2. Ryan Gosling
It feels like Ryan Gosling’s talent has been taken as a given for so many years, I had to double-check to make sure he’s still under 30. Sure enough, the Canadian thesp is 28 and seemingly well-positioned enough to take a two-year break following his delicate comedic work in “Lars and the Real Girl.” That very nearly earned him a second Oscar nod following his expansive, kinetic turn as an addiction-addled schoolteacher in “Half Nelson” – for which he really should have taken the gold. But his career jewel, for me, remains his alarming yet compassionate portrayal of a Jewish anti-Semite in “The Believer,” where I first noticed his gifts. Quite the decade, then, but we need him back at work.
1. Michelle Williams
We’d been aware of her ability since she acted the entire “Dawson’s Creek” cast off the screen back in the 90s, and congratulated ourselves on spotting her when she landed an Oscar nod for sterling work in “Brokeback Mountain,” but 2008 was the year when Michelle Williams formally made her bid to be the next Great American Actress. Veering from devastating, microscopic detailed character work in “Wendy and Lucy” to nimble semi-comic riffing in the “Synecdoche, New York” ensemble, with a great work in the not-so-great “Incendiary” somewhere in between, she demonstrated both fierce chops and canny taste in projects. Next up: the plum supporting role (read the book and see why) in Scorsese’s “Shutter Island.”
Agree? Disagree? Which under-30 thesps get you excited? Have your say in the comments section below!
79 responses so far
1 10-06-2009 at 11:00 am
Chris said...
I don’t really think there’s anyone “missing” from this list, since I can imagine how hard it is to put something like it together, however some people I would have considered myself: Emile Hirsch, Ellen Page and Jake Gyllenhaal.
And I honestly could not have not included Natalie Portman, but that’s just me.
2 10-06-2009 at 11:21 am
James D. said...
Diego Luna is a hair under 30, and I think he would fit.
Other than that, I can’t find a lot of complaints. It is a shame that just a few years ago Scarlett Johansson would fit easily on the list, but she has since fallen off the radar.
3 10-06-2009 at 11:24 am
Chad Hartigan said...
Gosling’s band just released maybe my favorite album of the year so he can take as much time away from acting as he wants.
4 10-06-2009 at 11:25 am
Silencio said...
I’m the fence about adding Ellen Page. Though “Hard Candy” and “Juno” are certainly promising indicators of a varied and well mapped career.
Cheers for Gosling. And Gordon-Levitt.
5 10-06-2009 at 11:26 am
Joel said...
You forget that Garfield has Fincher’s “The Social Network” next year, Guy. Could be a huge break for him.
And I think Gordon-Levitt was much better in “(500) Days of Summer” than you give him credit for.
6 10-06-2009 at 11:49 am
Jeremy said...
Love the Rebecca Hall nod. Ibid Gordon-Levitt — don’t forget his terrific work in “Brick”. My other contenders:
Keira Knightley (my clear #1)
Emma Watson (my clear #2)
Ellen Page
Saoirse Ronan (granted, I’ve only seen her in “Atonement”, but that’s enough)
Anne Hathaway
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jesse Eisenberg
7 10-06-2009 at 11:50 am
red_wine said...
Ha! I saw the title of the list and the first name that came to mind was Michelle Williams. What a tremendous actor. For me, she gave the single greatest performance of 2008(better than Hawkins, Hoffman and Penn). She was sensational in Synecdoche as well.
8 10-06-2009 at 12:13 pm
tim r said...
Funny that you’ve picked Duvauchelle, since I saw him in back-to-back films at San Sebastian: he was actually the lead in Erick Zonca’s Le petit voleur before Denis picked him up, and has a supporting role in A l’interieur. He’s good. So is Leprince-Ringuet –like you, loved him in Chansons d’amour and Strayed.
I haven’t seen Bright Star yet either, and wouldn’t argue her off the list, quite, but I can’t agree that Cornish was Ledger’s equal in Candy. Not by a long shot. I know she got all the Aussie critics’ awards, but that film is in Heath’s back pocket — it’s the performance of his life. For me, she was very much in her “effortful” phase there.
Also, fab though Mulligan was in that Seagull production, I thought Katherine Parkinson was even better as Masha. Looks like both might make it into the film, which is great news.
I’m glad someone mentioned Jesse Eisenberg, too. He’s wonderful.
9 10-06-2009 at 12:17 pm
Robert Hamer said...
You’re a little harsh on Levitt, I think. It wasn’t really his performance so much as the role. Ditto for Daschanel and her upteenth fantasy girlfriend role. His performances in Brick, Manic and The Lookout were outstanding and deserve to place him higher on this list.
10 10-06-2009 at 12:21 pm
j said...
Under-30 males with lauds already (3 single-Oscar nominees, 1 Bafta film winner): Haley Joel Osment & Jamie Bell but acclaimed for just one role (The latter being in Tintin by masterful directors if successful may either make him a Radcliffe star or an Oscar-y; I’m guessing the former), Jake Gyllenhaal but arguably for mostly one role (though being with Hathaway again in his next film might help). Ryan Gosling on top, earning plaudits for multiple roles.
Ulliel was pretty in Very Long Engagement; not sure about acting skills. Gordon-Levitt was good in Mysterious Skin, but not amazing; I still see a lot of potential.
Those females under 30 racing to be the first with nom #2, based on upcoming projects: Ronan, Knightley, Hathaway, Williams, Mulligan, Page. I loved Cornish in Bright Star though…Closest to 2 so far are Gosling & Knightley.
11 10-06-2009 at 12:25 pm
The InSneider said...
Emile Hirsch is WAY better than Andrew Garfield. No question.
12 10-06-2009 at 12:30 pm
Marshall1 said...
Now I have to review what I’ve seen before cuz I remembered there was a few even younger actors who are great (maybe they’re even on tv).
Nice choice of Hoult though, he was great in about a boy, but who knew he could grow up to be so sexy but also a good actor. Great in Skins, and can’t wait to see a Single Man.
Would it be too outrageous to include Daniel Radcliffe? Thought he was actually good in the Harry Potter movies….lol…..and I think he’s serious about being a good actor….
13 10-06-2009 at 12:30 pm
Bing147 said...
I know the foreign distribution makes things tricky… but Julia Jentsch would DEFINITELY have made my list. Daniel Bruhl would have gotten serious consideration. I was going to say Gael Garcia Bernal and then I was shocked to realize he’s now 31… how time flies. Shocked he still hasn’t really broken out as more than a bit player in American films… I think Silence may change that.
14 10-06-2009 at 12:31 pm
Bing147 said...
Just realized Bruhl and Jentsch have gone over 30 in the last year… wow, where does the time go? And where’s the young foreign talent? A great group rose up around 10 years ago but most of them are moving beyond 30 and I’ve not found many to replace them…
15 10-06-2009 at 12:33 pm
Kokushi said...
Good list but Emile Hirsch with the performances he gave in Into the Wild & Milk should have earned a spot.
16 10-06-2009 at 12:35 pm
Gromlinson said...
I know you guys arent too high on Lovely Bones, but i think Saoirse Ronan at least deserved a mention in the column. SHe’s in position to at least have a shot at a second nomination and she’s got upcoming roles that will allow her to prove she’s the real deal….if her oscar nomination hasnt already done that.
17 10-06-2009 at 12:39 pm
BerkeleyGirl said...
Hamer, glad you mentioned “The Lookout”!!! Amazing film with an wondrous performance from Gordon-Leavitt. Also love the mention of Jamie Bell – check out “Undertow.”
As for Rebecca Hall, Sir Peter doesn’t deserve all the credit. Hall’s mother, Maria Ewing, was an opera singer, much hailed for her dramatic skill. Ewing began as a delightful mezzo-soprano but later was one of the top Salomes in the world. The voice was not quite right for the role, but her acting was so great, you didn’t care.
18 10-06-2009 at 12:48 pm
Patrick said...
KEIRA. KNIGHTLEY.
19 10-06-2009 at 1:32 pm
Zac said...
Too bad the list wasn’t Top 10 under 35, because then I’m sure Kate Winslet would have been #1. I say that because that’s who I thought the picture at the top of the column was of.
I’ve seen everyone on this list in something except for the Francophiles and Andrew Garfield.
What about Zooey Deschanel? She turns 30 next year so she qualifies. She was the best thing about Yes Man, The Happening, Elf, All the Real Girls, but it’s her turn as Anita Miller in Almost Famous that I first noticed her, both beauty and talent, and I still consider that to be her best performance, although she’s out of the majority of the movie.
20 10-06-2009 at 1:54 pm
The InSneider said...
Dude, Zac, the best thing about The Happening was that it ended. Love Zooey to the nth degree but c’mon.
21 10-06-2009 at 1:55 pm
Jonathan Spuij said...
Megan Fox.
22 10-06-2009 at 2:11 pm
the outsider said...
Interesting…no actors of color on your list…wonder why…
23 10-06-2009 at 2:21 pm
Marshall said...
Zooey Deschanel.
24 10-06-2009 at 2:26 pm
Jorge said...
Guy, your list has some interesting choices, but you neglect some very powerful artists for others who have yet to show as much potential.
I agree with what someone said above: Abbie Cornish is lovely in Bright Star and was very impressive in Sommersault, but she in no way over-powers Heath;s performance in Candy. In my opinion, she still needs more growing as an actor – but definately some potential there.
Joseph Gordon Levitt is one fo our finest actors working today – his performances feel so natural, relatable, and complex all at the same time. He was absolutely shattering in Mysetrious which, I agree with you, remains his best performance to date, but is capapble of so much more also. I love seeing his work, always a very intimate experience.
Ellen Page is an example of someone I feel you really neglected. Yes, everyone knows her as Juno, and some know her from Hard Candy, but seldom have seen her beautiful work in Mouth to Mouth, Trailer Park Boys, and her breakout Pit Pony. Such a versatile actress, with so much range, and very deep-seeded wisdom-beyond-her-years that is evident in all her works. She’s just breathtaking really.
Anna Kendrick, who thankfully is finally getting the praise she’s deserved for so long, and Amanda Seyfried, who continues to suprise and astonish me with every new role she takes on, are two other candidates I would consider. I was also going to suggest Keiran Culkin, but he’s over 30 – such a brilliant actor in everything he does.
And I TOTALLY agree with you – Ryan Gosling deserves to be on that list, and way high. He would be my number one, most definately. I just can’t describe how much I love his work. Really, a masterpiece of an actor!
25 10-06-2009 at 2:26 pm
Seany P said...
JGL’s best performance was definitely Brick, happy hes on the list but that was is totally worth a mention.
Other than that…kick ass list
26 10-06-2009 at 2:28 pm
Jorge said...
P.S. – Your right Guy, Ryan definately deserved that Oscar for Hlaf Nelson – gut wrenching…
27 10-06-2009 at 2:29 pm
m1 said...
Is Zooey Deschanel under 30. If she is, she should have made this list. And put Rebecca Hall and not Anne Hathaway? Really? And I think Dev Patel and Freida Pinto should have been considered.
28 10-06-2009 at 2:30 pm
The InSneider said...
Also, thinking a bit more outside the box than, shall we say, Carey Mulligan, I think the Culkins are all pretty close to this list, with Kieran having the most consistent career. Think about it: Home Alone 1+2, Father of the Bride 1+2, Uncle Buck, The Good Son, You Can Count On Me, Signs, Igby Goes Down, Rocket Gibraltar, My Girl, Mean Creek, Down in the Valley, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The Mighty, She’s All That, The Cider House Rules and decent performances in bad movies like Party Monster and The Chumscrubber. Plus Kieran co-stars in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the upcoming Lonergan film Margaret and The Stanford Prison Experiment, while Rory is in the new Joel Schumacher/Chace Crawford/50 Cent film Twelve, and yes I just typed that sentence. But seriously, the Culkins are a talented family. I was pleasantly surprised by Lymelife this year and I’m glad they continue to get interesting work while Big Mac sleeps next to Mila Kunis. Lucky bastard.
Final thoughts: Love the 1-2 punch of Williams and Gosling. Need to see more of Garfield’s work and I’m sorry to have slagged him above, just think Hirsch is mighty impressive. Think it’s a little premature to put Mulligan down but I can respect the choice on potential alone. Shia is close… but Eagle Eye and Transformers 2 didn’t help. Wish his AGTRYS co-star Channing Tatum (so good in that movie) hadn’t done G.I. Joe. Ellen Page is a movie or two away. I still need to see Whip It though, although I hear the supporting cast outshines her there. Dakota Fanning and Abigail Breslin are still a little too young for a list like this. I think Anthony Mackie could make a play for this list if you’d done it a couple months ago before he hit the 3-0 mark, especially if someone ponies up to do the Jesse Owens movie he’s attached to.
Also, I was thinking about TV stars but there weren’t really any candidates there, which is kinda depressing…
GO CULKINS!
29 10-06-2009 at 2:38 pm
voland said...
“And I think Dev Patel and Freida Pinto should have been considered”
I hope that’s not meant serious.
Emile Hirsch is missing!
30 10-06-2009 at 3:01 pm
Gustavo H.R. said...
Megan Fox?
Oh, that was a joke!
31 10-06-2009 at 3:08 pm
Beau said...
BEN WHISHAW.
32 10-06-2009 at 3:26 pm
rosengje said...
Pleased with Rebecca Hall’s inclusion. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem took most of the attention (deservedly), but Vicky Cristina Barcelona would not have worked without her steadying, albeit neurotic, performance. She was recently cast as the lead in Richard Linklater’s “Liars A-E” which has an amazing script. It is probably her first full-fledged lead role and I am really excited to see what she does with it.
33 10-06-2009 at 3:34 pm
Antonio A said...
Keira Knightley! She has an splendid career for been only 24! I would also include Jamie Bell and David Kross from “The Reader”, his performance was very underrated. I love Ryan Gosling’s inclusion, he was truly great in the so-so “Fracture”.
34 10-06-2009 at 4:21 pm
tintin said...
Where are:
Keira Knightley
Ellen Page
Saoirse Ronan
Anne Hathaway
Jake Gyllenhaal
Emilie Hirsch
Dakota fanning!!!!!!!
35 10-06-2009 at 4:45 pm
Guy Lodge said...
@Tim: I’m so glad we agree on how spectacular Heath Ledger was in “Candy,” even if we differ on Cornish’s contribution … perhaps my little crush plays a role there! And I agree that Parkinson was excellent in “The Seagull” (there wasn’t a weak link in that production, for my money), but Carey made me cry. That never happens in the theatre.
@The Outsider: I hope your “wonder why” on the matter of non-white actors is innocent rather than snarky. I really hope so.
As for other actors most frequently mentioned by multiple commenters, I have to say that Emile Hirsch and Ellen Page don’t quite do it for me: I find Page likable but constricted by her own personality, and I actually had problems with Hirsch’s work in “Into the Wild.” I like Keira Knightley a great deal, but am still waiting for a truly great performance from her, and Saoirse Ronan needs to wow in something other than “Atonement” (in which she is very good indeed) before I can consider her for the long haul.
And Natalie Portman was my close #11 on this list … I love her, but what she done for us lately?
36 10-06-2009 at 5:49 pm
Josh said...
Carrie Mulligan was really good in Public Enemies.
Does anybody get the joke?
37 10-06-2009 at 6:47 pm
snowballa said...
how whitewashed is that list? when someone asks you if hollywood has gotten more diverse, just look at that list (i wonder how far down that list do you have to go for someone who isn’t white?)
38 10-06-2009 at 6:58 pm
snowballa said...
I will like to add the future potentials of Tristan Wilds (Michael from “The Wire), Jermaine Crawford (Duke from “The Wire”), Jurnee Smollett (”Eve’s Bayou” and “The Great Debators”), Gaius Charles (Smash from “Friday Night Lights), Meagan Good (”Eve’s Bayou” and “Brick), Amanda Seyfried, Emile Hirsch, and Leighton Meester (laugh all you want but she’s doing the Lord’s work with subpar writing/co-stars on “Gossip Girl”).
Comments on the choices of others:
1) Anyone mentioning Freida Pinto is obviously joking. She was essentially the Megan Fox role for “Slumdog”. It’s too early to call.
2) Keira Knightley is so one-note. She just wears a corset and pouts, although I will admit she was decent in “Atonement”.
3) Shia Labeouf, the current lust of my life, was fantastic as a child-actor but he seems to be going to Tom Cruise route opting for big blockbusters that doesn’t show range. He had a chance with “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints” but was shadowed by Channing Tatum’s fearless performance.
4) Waiting for Dakota to make the transition before I can comment.
39 10-06-2009 at 7:12 pm
hcu said...
Among the ones who haven’t been mentioned in the comments I think Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Romola Garai and Sienna Miller deserve some credit.
40 10-06-2009 at 7:50 pm
Bryan said...
Keira Knightley would be my number one for Pride and Prejudice alone, but she’s only impressed me–not wowed me–in her other films. But I can’t wait for Never Let Me Go for so many reasons.
41 10-06-2009 at 7:53 pm
Mr. F said...
snowballa, I’m totally with you on Leighton Meester. Although I prefer Blake Lively (who already has a rather good but unspectacular filmography) from that show, there’s no denying that with the proper management Meester can be a great actress
42 10-06-2009 at 8:41 pm
j said...
I think Leighton Meester is a great actress…Lively is ok; Momsen is good. As are Kristen Bell and her once-costar Amanda Seyfried (though the latter is doing movies on top of her day job). Oh, and Hayden Panattiere has star quality, if not necessarily acting depth..similar to, say, Keira Knightley.
Though she’s not my cup of tea, America Ferrera has gotten awards. As has Anna Paquin (I’m guessing most people today know her as the vampire lover.).
I think it would be amazing if Rinko Kikuchi got nominated again. Not only is she the only Asian actress alive with a nom, she could be the only Asian performer w/2 noms ever and the first 80’s born actor with 2 noms. Won’t happen, though.
Cruise has 3 Oscar noms though unlike Shia.
43 10-06-2009 at 8:55 pm
Lena said...
It just so happens that your #1 and #2 are playing husband and wife in the upcoming film ‘Blue Valentine.’ To say I’m looking forward to it would be an understatement. :)
44 10-06-2009 at 9:04 pm
Ivich said...
I can’t believe that Ben Whishaw didn’t make the list. He was out of the world in “Perfume” and I really enjoyed his tiny role in “I’m Not There”. I understand that he hasn’t had as many high profile projects or for that matter seen much in Hollywood as he should, but that doesn’t take way from the reality that he is supremely talented. Someone who knows that craft better than most of the names on the list as evident in Criminal Justice, in which he was marvellous.
I really also think highly of Jesse Eisenberg, who unlike Whishaw finally has some luck on his side. He has landed the role of Zuckerberg in the Social Network.
It is funny how three years back names like Natalie Portman and Even Rachel Wood would definitely have made it. Portman at least has some projects to surge her career, I don’t see any such thing for Wood.
45 10-06-2009 at 9:58 pm
Rogers said...
Guy: I know that even if Ledger were still alive he would have missed out on your list by a few months… but all that aside, would he have been top? If not, where?
46 10-06-2009 at 10:51 pm
Morgan said...
I saw The Seagull in New York, and Carey Mulligan must have been having a really bad night, because my friends and I all completely lost focus during her monologue at the end after having been entranced by the production up until that point. I was so disappointed that it had ended on such a flat note — and then have read many reviews and commentaries that offer exuberant praise for her performance. I wish I had gone on a different way, because the rest of the actors were all completely on but she really wasn’t. She must have just been having a bad day. (I was, of course, completely won over by her in An Education.) I hope they do a film production of The Seagull so I can see her in fine form.
For my money, Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s just about as good as it gets right now. I probably would have included Emile Hirsch, too, and maybe Ben Whishaw and Paul Dano further down.
Candy’s next on my Netflix, I can’t wait to see it. She was incomprehensibly good in Bright Star.
47 10-06-2009 at 11:08 pm
Josh said...
A couple others to consider:
Thomas Dekker – The Best John Connor by far.
Summer Glau
Leven Rambin
Elisabeth Moss
48 10-06-2009 at 11:08 pm
Josh said...
One more
Melanie Laurent
49 10-06-2009 at 11:20 pm
Paul Outlaw said...
@ snowballa:
When you see Shia in “New York, I Love You,” Tom Cruise will be the last thing that crosses your mind…
50 10-07-2009 at 12:02 am
John K said...
Hard to argue with this list, although Page and Hirsch would have figured prominently on my own.
I also wish Channing Tatum hadn’t done “G.I. Joe.” He wasn’t terrible, but it hurt his credibility, and I feel like he has Russell Crowe potential if he picks better roles. (I too thought was incredible in “Saints.”)
Likewise, I also wish Kristen Stewart hadn’t done “Twilight.” She’s so much better than the material she’s often given, and I’m really hoping she turns some heads in “The Runaways.”
51 10-07-2009 at 1:56 am
Guy Lodge said...
@Snowballa: I have no idea how far down the list I’d have to go to include an actor of color — I don’t really think in such terms. But if you asked me to name a possibility off the top of my head who meets the criteria stated in the article, I have to admit I’d struggle. I like to think this is the industry’s fault rather than mine.
@Lena: Yeah, I have high hopes for “Blue Valentine.” Awful title, though.
@Ivich and others: I have to be entirely sold on Whishaw, though he has much potential. (I thought he was a weak link in “I’m Not There,” personally
@Rogers: At the top, easily.
@Morgan: What a shame, but that’s the beauty of theatre, really — you never see the same production twice. I had a similar experience watching Juliette Lewis in “Fool for Love” a few years ago — I thought she was shrill and distracted when I saw her, but I’m assured by others that she was having on off night.
52 10-07-2009 at 2:05 am
jackal said...
ellen page the best.
53 10-07-2009 at 3:06 am
Guy Lodge said...
By the way, I didn’t have space to mention it in her entry, but I should add that Mulligan’s superb work in a 2007 “Doctor Who” episode factored in her placing.
I only caught up with it recently following the recommendations of others (I’m not a fan of the show), and she really knocks it out the park.
54 10-07-2009 at 4:07 am
Patrick said...
Nicholas Hoult and Rebecca Hall over Keira Knightely boggles my mind. Just don’t understand that at all.
But other than this, a great list. Wonderful notices for Cornish in Somersault and Levitt in Mysterious Skin – two revelatory performances from young actors that have stayed with me since I saw them.
55 10-07-2009 at 6:02 am
M said...
It would be better if you split it up in males and females because then you can have a lot more on the list. TMF (the movie fanatic) did a great top 50 for males and top 50 for females in terms of young acting, they have some great names on it.
I like Michelle, not sure she should have been number 1 but she is good. Gordon Levitt, should be at least top 3 for me. I also think Saoirse Ronan should be on this list. Her other movies might not have been a hit, but she is great in them.
Knightley is another one, she could be in the lower part of the top ten for me.
However, nice list, you wont be able to please everyone.
56 10-07-2009 at 6:44 am
Guy Lodge said...
I specifically didn’t want to separate men and women for this list — sometimes I think it’s more interesting to put everyone on an equal footing.
As for Ronan, again, I’m afraid I’ve only seen her in “Atonement.” I was impressed by her work, but I need more.
And since several of you have brought up Keira Knightley, I’ll repeat that I do like her — she alone breathed some life into the otherwise petrified “The Duchess,” after all — but I haven’t yet been knocked sideways by anything she’s done.
57 10-07-2009 at 8:40 am
Jim T said...
Ronan was also very good in “I could never be your woman”. Anyway, The Lovely Bones will give her a chance to show her talents.
58 10-07-2009 at 8:44 am
Mr. F said...
Ronan is also quite good in “City of Ember,” one of the most underrated movies in the last few years.
59 10-07-2009 at 8:45 am
Neel Mehta said...
Decent but not overwhelming American representation. An ultimate list would look even more global, but this is a step in the right direction. All in all, a pretty good list for 10 white people.
60 10-07-2009 at 8:58 am
Guy Lodge said...
I must say the racial makeup of the list never even occurred to me when I compiled it — I’m sorry that some of you seem bothered by it. All suggestions welcome.
61 10-07-2009 at 9:31 am
david said...
Dakota Fanning is incredibly talented for her age, as is Freddie Highmore.
62 10-07-2009 at 9:55 am
M said...
Yeah Problem for me is that the black actresses I like are all over 30. Tara P Henson, Zoe Saldana, Halle Berry e.t.c.
Howllywood really needs to give other races a chance. The young ones don’t really get good roles, until they are old.
Asians also have a hard time breaking into Hollywood. In the 21st century and things are still hard for other races, esp females to break through early.
63 10-07-2009 at 10:18 am
Barbara said...
I agree that Daniel Radcliffe should have been included on the list; as anyone who saw him in Equus or My Boy Jack could tell you, he’s an amazing actor who is only going to keep getting better and better with time.
64 10-07-2009 at 11:04 am
Frank said...
I’m not sure if he’s 29 or 30, but Anthony Mackie is a black actor who deserves a good deal of respect–it’s obviously tough for black actors to get good roles but he killed in “Half Nelson” and “The Hurt Locker,” and he’s in the upcoming “The Adjustment Bureau.”
I didn’t see “Notorious”… was he a decent Tupac?
65 10-07-2009 at 1:01 pm
Tom C said...
Without a doubt, Emile Hirsch comes to mind more than any other. Ryan Gosling is definitely the one to beat on this list, though.
Anne Hathaway I think deserves consideration. While Williams definitely dominated her in ‘Brokeback’ I think Hathaway’s chops blew Michelle’s entire career work away with ‘Rachel’ alone.
66 10-07-2009 at 1:17 pm
the outsider said...
according to imdb., anthony mackie just turned 30. He is a great actor.
67 10-07-2009 at 1:57 pm
Guy Lodge said...
I actually like Hathaway’s work in “Brokeback” very much — she never gets enough credit for that, I think.
68 10-07-2009 at 8:14 pm
Maria said...
Abby Cornish? i can sincerely say she is a big zero. primarily because she was fucking Ryan whats-his-name and that split his marriage up from Reese Witherspoon..secondly because she was next to me at the hair salon recently and has an UNCOMFORTABLY LARGE MOLE on her face next to her ear…so large it’s probably no longer classified as a mole and really a wart.
69 10-07-2009 at 9:00 pm
snowballa said...
@Guy Lodge: I wasn’t blaming you for the absence of minorities. It’s Hollywood’s fault. If the actors I mentioned were given more roles, they would’ve certainly cracked your list. I’d put Tristan Wilds’ performance on “The Wire” up against any of those names. I was just referring to the people who claim that Hollywood is diverse when your list clearly illustrates the lack of good roles for otherwise talented minorities.
@Paul Outlaw: I refuse to see “New York, I Love You” because again, I’m sick of the whitewashing on my hometown. The most diverse city this country can offer and all the faces I see in the trailer save two are white. That being said, I saw a clip of Shia and Julie Christie’s short and cringed a bit at Shia’s accent. But, I will tell you one thing, he sure is dreamy.
70 10-08-2009 at 1:08 am
Guy Lodge said...
Maria: Yes, those are excellent reasons. Thanks for bringing so much insight to the discussion.
71 10-08-2009 at 1:10 am
sally p. said...
Definitely, I agree with a separate Top lists for Actors & Actresses. I’m also going on the Anne Hathaway bandwagon. This past summer , I saw Shakepeare In The Park’s ” Twelfth Night”. She gave a phenomenal acting & singing performance as Viola. Hathaway’s glowing performance was very natural, charismatic, & intelligent.
Anne is one of the few young thespians that can shine in different genres of film & can easily do theatre. 2008-2009 year truly proved her immense talents: SNL hosting , song & dance number with Hugh Jackman, “Rachel Getting Married”, and ” Twelfth Night”. She is in it for the long haul !
P.S. I will patiently give Emily Blunt a couple years , so she can be well-regarded. She completely deserved an Oscar Nomination for “Devil Wears Prada” ( she hijacked scenes from the Mighty Meryl Streep) & “Summer of Love”.
72 10-08-2009 at 1:25 am
Guy Lodge said...
Indeed, “My Summer of Love” is Blunt’s best work to date. (I’m so glad someone has mentioned that film.) But surely we can agree that it’s Natalie Press’s film. Both ladies were on my shortlist.
73 10-08-2009 at 5:46 am
Jeremy said...
I’m surprised Ben Foster hasn’t been mentioned. He blew his co-stars off the screen in Alpha Dog, 3:10 To Yuma and 30 Days of Night. Should have a bright future ahead of him.
74 10-08-2009 at 8:19 am
Edwin Drood said...
None of your final ten choices can hold a candle to Anne Hathaway, whom you dismiss as not having “the depth of talent”. I truly doubt any of those you cite could carry a Broadway musical on their shoulders, for example – but Hathaway most certainly could, in addition to being capable of playing comedy, drama, romantic and character roles…
75 10-10-2009 at 11:26 am
Alex said...
No Anne Hathway, Emily Blunt, Kiera Knightley or (and especially) Evan Rachel Wood???
76 10-10-2009 at 2:04 pm
Megan said...
BEN WHISHAW. He is the finest actor working today (along with Johnny Depp). His charisma and range are extremely impressive and he brings such subtlety, depth, and truth to every performance (believe me; I have seen them all (film anyway, not stage)).
77 10-14-2009 at 12:20 am
Janine said...
Yes…I agree Evan Rachel Wood. Not heard the last from her yet…shooting The Conspirator with James McAvoy right now. Also Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Jamie Bell. I think to be a truly great actor, you must be able to pull off period pieces as well as contemporary….and you have to give Hathaway and Wood props for their singing voices too. Triple threats who can do Broadway as well as film? Yes, please. And, you may hate me for this, but Keira Knightly and Sienna Miller.
78 10-17-2009 at 8:37 am
Chris said...
I may slip Anton Yelchin and Anna Paquin in there.