Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988: Results

5. Tim Robbins in Bull Durham- Robbins gives an entertaining performance finding the endearing qualities within his rather unintelligent character.

4. Christopher Lloyd in Who Framed Roger Rabbit- Lloyd gives an effective villianous turn by putting so much conviction in his performance even when saying the most absurd things.

3. Philippe Noiret in Cinema Paradiso- Noiret gives a moving performance that nicely conveys the warmth and wisdom his character has.

2. Alan Rickman in Die Hard- Rickman creates a deliciously evil villain and is effectively amusing and imposing sometimes even in the same scene.

1. Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda- Good Prediction Lezlie. My favorite this whole year is Michael Palin, although it was close between his Oscar winning co-star and Alan Rickman. Despite loving all three though Palin's performance, which succeeds in making assassination and dog killing funny, is my favorite.

Overall Rank:

1. Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda
2. Kevin Kline A Fish Called Wanda
3. Alan Rickman in Die Hard
4. Alec Guinness in Little Dorrit
5. Philippe Noiret in Cinema Paradiso
6. Christopher Lloyd in Who Framed Roger Rabbit 
7. Jacques Perrin in Cinema Paradiso
8. Martin Landau in Tucker: The Man and his Dream
9. Salvatore Cascio in Cinema Paradiso
10. Tim Robbins in Bull Durham
11. Raul Julia in Moon Over Parador
12. Dean Stockwell in Tucker: The Man and His Dream
13. Reginald VelJohnson in Die Hard 
14. Michael Keaton in Beetle Juice 
15. Williem Dafoe in Mississippi Burning
16. Charles Fleischer in Who Framed Roger Rabbit
17. David Strathairn in Eight Men Out
18. John Forsythe in Scrooged
19. John Amos in Coming to America
20. Tom Georgeson in A Fish Called Wanda
21. John Cusack in Eight Men Out
22. Harrison Ford in Working Girl
23. John Mahoney in Eight Men Out
24. John Glover in Scrooged
25. Douglas Seale in Ernest Saves Christmas
26. Brad Dourif in Mississippi Burning
27. Dean Stockwell in Married to the Mob
28. Robert Mitchum in Scrooged
29. Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty
30. David Johansen in Scrooged
31. William Atherton in Die Hard 
32. Robert Loggia in Big
33. Stephen Tobolowsky in Mississippi Burning
34. Michael Rooker in Eight Men Out
35. John Ashton in Midnight Run
36. John Murray in Scrooged
37. Lloyd Bridges in Tucker: A Man and His Dram
38. Alexander Godunov in Die Hard
39. George Kennedy in The Naked Gun
40. Arsenio Hall in Coming to America 
41. Lou Diamond Phillips in Stand and Deliver
42. Jeffrey Jones in Beetle Juice
43. Bobcat Goldthwait in Scrooged
44. R L. Ermey in Mississippi Burning
45. Yaphet Kotto in Midnight Run
46. Elias Koteas in Tucker: A Man And His Dream
47. Marco Leonardi in Cinema Paradiso 
48. Val Kilmer in Willow 
49. Frederic Forrest in Tucker: A Man And His Dream
50. Alan Tilvern in Who Framed Roger Rabbit 
51. Keith David in They Live
52. Glenn Shadix in Beetle Juice
53. Bill Pullman The Accidental Tourist
54. Tray Wilson in Bull Durham
55. Christian Slater in Tucker: A Man And His Dream
56. Robert Wuhl in Bull Durham
57. Paul Gleason in Die Hard
58. Liam Neeson in The Dead Pool
59. John Heard in Big
60. Joe Pesci in Moonwalker
61. Jim Carrey in The Dead Pool
62. Keanu Reeves in Dangerous Liaisons

Next Year: 1973 Leading

Alternate Best Supporting 1988: Philippe Noiret in Cinema Paradiso

Philipe Noiret did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite winning a BAFTA, for portraying Alfredo in Cinema Paradiso.

Cinema Paradiso is a wonderful film about the growth of a young boy Salvatore "Toto" Di Vita who is taken under the wing of the projectionist at his local theater.

Now it was actually rather easy for me to put Philippe Noiret in supporting here. The story of the film is firmly about the story of the boy. Yes he is not the lead either because he is played by three different actors who are given more or less the same screen time. I put them all in supporting because they all support each other and not one leads the film on his own. Noiret never leads the film either. Alfredo is always a supporting character in the purest sense of the word. Alfredo is always there supporting Toto. The story is never from his perspective, nor is it his story. When something happens to him is always put in context of how it affects Toto.

Noiret at the beginning of the film portrays Alfredo in a very to the point fashion. He is just the projectionist who is slightly tired by the local priest's constant censorship demands, as well as is bit annoyed by the young boy Toto who keeps asking questions about how he does his job exactly. Noiret handles this well because he portrays Alfredo not as a grumpy grouch in any way just more of how a normal person trying to do their job would react to such an overly inquisitive boy. The focus of the film though soon becomes the relationship between the boy and Alfredo as the boy is determined to try to find out all about Alfredo's job as a film projectionist.

Their growing friendship is very well done by Noiret as he portrays a growing warmth Alfredo takes the boy. He slowly stops telling the boy various things about film projection just to make him stop answering question, instead starts to honestly want to teach him. Noiret eases into the part of the caring part of a father figure who tries his best to help the boy in a natural fashion. He makes the relationship between Alfredo and the boy an endearing one that finds the heart of the situation without ever trying to force the situation. Their relationship grows between the two in a wholly honest way.

The relationship which is the core of the film is never a loud one through Noiret's portrayal. It makes sense for the boy to be more expressive, but Noiret does well in being very quiet as Alfredo creating the right dynamic between the two. After a tragic accident Alfredo is blinded and the Toto takes over as the projectionist in the town although still takes Alfredo's guidance. Noiret does very well in somehow downplaying even more so as the blind Alfredo. Alfredo though no longer guides Toto as a projectionist but instead encourages him to live his life to his fullest.

Noiret reserved portrayal of the wise Alfredo is very effective as he infuses the right poignancy into all of Alfredo's teachings. He always makes him a calm, encouraging presence, that works perfectly in making Alfredo the mentor he should be. He turns him into an endearing memorable character, that he leaves the proper impression that allows the influence of Alfredo in the last scenes, which he is not even in, to be as powerful as they should. I should say that I don't think I love this performance as so many seem to, but this is most certainly a strong performance by Philippe Noiret.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988: Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda

Michael Palin did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite winning a BAFTA, for portraying Ken Pile in A Fish Called Wanda.

Michael Palin plays Ken one of the diamond thieves in the film who has a stutter that leaves him constantly harassed by his violent cohort Otto (Kevin Kline). Michael Palin here is one of the comedic gems of the film as Ken, who handles the stutter a big part of the character incredibly well. He makes it actually seem entirely natural, far more than Colin Firth realized a stammer in what was suppose to be a serious film, and although it is used for comedy the stutter never really seems to be that is ridiculed really. Palin instead of trying to make the stutter funny, because a stutter is not funny, Palin instead uses for expert comedic timing instead.

Due to using the stutter so firmly as part of the character Palin really relies quite a lot on his skills as a silent actor which are considerable. What is probably my favorite part of the film details Ken attempting to assassinate an old lady who is the sole witness against the leader of the group Tom. Ken proves not to be much of assassin though much more often killing the old lady's dogs one by one more than her. Again assassination is not something that screams comedy on its lonesome in any way, but Palin makes these scenes absolutely hilarious through his portrayal of Ken's incompetence, but even more amusingly showing the intense heartbreak Ken has after he keeps accidentally killing the dogs because he is an animal lover.

Although I do enjoy the entire film I must say my favorite parts always do entail Palin with his perfect comedic work as Ken. Palin works well in the middle of the film as the rather hapless individual who unlike everyone else in the film he is not trying to double cross anyone else. Palin makes Ken easily the most likable character in the film through the earnestness of his portrayal of Ken, whether it is his loyalty to Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) or his quiet unrequited love for her or his similar love and devotion to his fish including one called Wanda, Palin is very enjoyable in portraying this very particular nature of Ken with an uncompromising honesty.

The film depicts many of the interactions between the thieves and a barrister (John Cleese). The best interactions in the film come between Otto and Ken. Palin and Kline are just brilliant together as Otto constantly harasses Ken for basically every reason he can come up with whether it is his stutter, or his love of animals. Their scenes together as Otto constantly barrages Ken with insults or even come on as Otto pretends he's gay, are made into comedic gold by both actors. These scenes are just great with Kline moves all over the place with Otto's deranged behavior, but Palin matching him every part of the way through his more reserved portrayal of Ken's reactions to Otto. Their comedic timing is flawless. 

Palin and Kline never wastes a single scene as they are together and the play of the comedy for all that its worth. Palin is terrific as Ken moves from his distaste toward Otto, with a hint of hatred, that moves to more of awkward uncomfortable feeling around Otto. Every reaction is extremely funny in every situation but the best comes near the end of the film in the fish and chips. In the scene as Otto tortures Ken by putting two chips up his nose and more egregiously by eating his fish. This is a laugh riot as Kline and Palin are so good together. Palin is perfect though because he does not even try to go for laughs directly here instead plays the part with a very serious conviction making it funny simply because of how much he suffers from seeing his fish eaten.

All I can really say is that I absolutely love this performance that never makes me smile as I watch. He also though is terrific in making a character we honestly can care about in his plight even if is about his very small fish. Palin in his last scene where Ken attempts to get revenge against Otto is extremely funny because of how intense and unwavering Palin makes Ken's want for revenge over his fish. His final moment where he finally wins over Otto is incredibly enjoyable both for its high comedic value as well as just the way Palin allows us to enjoy the success along with Ken due to his sympathetic portrayal through the film. This is a terrific comic performance from Micheal Palin. He has the biggest challenge out of the case considering that both the stutter and the assassin parts could have seemed in just bad taste, but Palin handles them perfectly by only ever deriving humor from the situations in the film.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988: Tim Robbins in Bull Durham

Tim Robbins did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in Bull Durham.

Bull Durham is an enjoyable enough film about a wise but not especially talented minor league player Crash Davis (Kevin Costner), who tries to teach a talented but brash player to be truly great, while both of them seek the affection of a baseball groupie Annie (Susan Sarandon).

Tim Robbins plays the brash pitcher Nuke LaLoosh who can throw a ball fast, but has some serious problems when it comes to efficiently aiming the ball in the right direction. Robbins portrays Nuke as a brash overly confidant sort, but above all a doofus. The simple thing is that Nuke just is not very smart, and even when told what he is doing is wrong it is a bit hard for him to understand. Robbins although at first wears on you a little at the very beginning as Nuke, but once Costner's character shows up and knocks him down a notch Nuke becomes far more tolerable. 

That is not really a problem with Robbins's performance because at that point you are not really suppose to like him all that much at first, and he properly leaves room for certain changes to occur. Also Robbins does not make the mistake many actors make well playing an obnoxious character by nature. Robbins certainly does play up the obnoxiousness to the right degree without going over board. Importantly what he also shows is a certain childlike enthusiasm with his performance that manages to make Nuke endearing even though Robbins never does stray from the brashness of Nuke either. 

What really changes his character from his lunkhead approach to throwing though his relationship with Annie and Crash. Annie being a baseball groupie takes it as her duty almost to sleep with Nuke to reach his full potential for the team. Robbins and Sarandon are good together although not through some sort of normal warm filled chemistry, but rather between lust filled student of sorts and a lust filled teacher of sorts. Robbins though is quite enjoyable about how unabashed he is in Nuke's lust for Annie. Robbins is appropriately hapless as there is nothing romantic about his scenes with Sarandon rather the two create the scene amusingly as sex with lessons about how to be a better pitcher.

His relationship with Crash is one of almost pure antagonism at first, although Crash tries to make him hone in his game through tips he gives throughout. Robbins and Costner play this pretty well as the two basically ease on their dislike for each other, and Robbins is particularly effective in portraying Nuke slowly getting over himself. Robbins does not rush it but eases into it well that makes it an enjoyable journey, but as well a believable one. He and Costner are entertaining together as the two mentor/student role grows even to the point in which Crash convinces Nuke to stop sleeping with Annie since he says it will break his winning streak.

Robbins gives a good performance here as Nuke playing up nicely his character's lacking qualities in which a way he still can have a certain likability particularly as he slowly seems to learns how play better. What is important is that Robbins does not show Nuke to really get all that much smarter in in the end, but rather just he portrays Nuke as more of learning to do exactly what he is told to do more than anything else. He does this with a great degree of earnestness that works very well for the part.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988: Alan Rickman in Die Hard

Alan Rickman did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Hans Gruber in Die Hard. 

Die hard is an extremely entertaining action film about a group of terrorists who take over a high rise building and are only opposed by one man an off duty cop John McClain (Bruce Willis).

Alan Rickman portrays the head "terrorist" Hans Gruber who invade the building and take hostages. Something I should note right away is that Rickman honestly tries very little to be an east German. He sort of does an accent at times but usually leaves as soon as it comes in his portrayal. Also in any of the times he appears to speaking German it is in fact Germanesque gibberish from him. All this really does not matter, and what might seem a flaw in a different performance only honestly adds to the fun of the performance. Rickman knows he is playing the villain, just as Christopher Lloyd did in Roger Rabbit, and play up that fact for all that it is worth.

I think the best word to describe Rickman's performance here is delicious actually. He takes such a delicious method with material, and plays the part of Hans as deliciously evil. There is not any doubt in Rickman's performance that Hans is just no good, and he has a lot of fun with playing up that fact. Rickman is brilliant here because he does not overact the role to the point of being unrealistic but instead he takes just the right amount of flamboyance with his portrayal. Rickman is entertaining as possible really as Gruber comes in and takes over he building with his unique style and precision. Rickman effectively makes Gruber both an imposing villain as well just an entertaining character.

As a more straight up villain Rickman actually infuses them equally with his scenes of gleeful fun as he makes that as really part of the danger of Hans as the violence comes from him so easily without any hesitations. Rickman is quite good because he really does not show any sadism within his performance or anything such as that instead he is quite chilling by being so matter of fact when he kills. Rickman shows Hans takes a very up front method to the proceedings. For example when he commits his murders in the film he makes Hans slightly bemused not really exactly getting joy out of the killings but rather getting the joy out of getting rid of someone he was frankly just tired of speaking to.

As Gruber Rickman is the proper threat against John McClain as Rickman makes Gruber a man of cold calculation who use all that he has to get through his plan. He makes him very believable in the way Gruber adapts to the new challenges presented by McClain and the cops who eventually appear on the outside. He is particularly great in the scene where he accidentally gets caught by McClain and is able to talk himself out of it by pretending to be a worker who happened to get lost. He could not be better in the scene as he goes from one second with his evil calculating stare, to the next with a believable yet phony fear along with a believable yet phony accent as he tricks McClain into thinking he is a hostage.

Rickman is terrific in the manner in which he makes Hans very much a cunning intelligent business like villain, and within this context is where Rickman is able to make what is so entertaining about him which is in the little thing. Rickman makes the little asides in his performance so very enjoyable. Whether it is the way he comments on the way he also has two of the suits the businessman he soon to murder has in such a casual manner, to the way he casually says he read about one of his supposed terrorist comrade groups in Time magazine, to his conversations about westerns with John McClain over the radio, he is terrifically entertaining in the way he gives Hans just the perfect style and wit. 

Rickman enlivens the whole film which frankly could have become excessively gruesome if it were not for his take on the part of the lead villain. Even when he is being awfully dark in certain scene in the menace he creates through the incisive fashion he works through every scene and every part of his plan he lightens all up with that clever little style that even when we are against him Rickman some how still let us enjoy parts of his plan through his unique humorous fashion he takes with the part. He is able to balance the elements of Hans perfectly with the part as he makes it an easy film to watch him try to get through his plan. He is a great adversary in the film, and just maybe the greatest in any action film ever. Hans Gruber could have been a throwaway baddie but Rickman makes him one of the most memorable through his brilliant use of a certain class and dignity in such an undignified character.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988: Christopher Lloyd in Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Christopher Lloyd did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Christopher Lloyd portrays Judge Doom who you might tell by his name and appearance that he is quite clearly the villain of the film. Lloyd knows this as well and certainly plays up his character's villainy for all that it is worth. Lloyd does a brilliant job here by really overplaying and underplaying the role at the same time as Doom. He is very reserved for most of the film in his delivery, and has some terrific menace in his quiet stares and intense deliveries. At the same time though he has a lot of fun with the way almost excessively precise way he moves that accentuates Doom as being rather gargoyle like in manner.

Lloyd is really terrific in the way he will go through one scene with his controlled delivery that creates the right threat within Doom, and than suddenly for a moment he will show a crazy manic quality that will come out for a moment along with his absurd teeth. He uses it all to great effect to be extremely entertaining in every one of his scenes in which he appears as well as being appropriately threatening villain. Like Hoskins in the lead role Lloyd does find the right tone with his performance as Doom by having fun in the role through his enjoyable reactions and line deliveries but as well creating the threat Doom should entail. He does this particularly well in the scene where he kills the cartoon shoe. Lloyd shows almost no emotion in the scene except just the slightest bit of pleasure that works perfectly.

Christopher Lloyd is great in each of his scenes but his best is when he reveals that all the murders, buyouts, and frame ups where all part of Judge Doom's plan, Judge Doom's plan for a free way. Lloyd is absolutely hilarious in this scene as he tells the Judge's evil plan to destroy toon town to create a free road to drivers. Lloyd is so impassioned in his performance here that is is extremely amusing because he tells the totally insane plan with such passion and seriousness. Lloyd could not be better in this scene as he makes the plot unraveling so entertaining by making Doom absolutely crazy, but saying ever word of the plan as a man who certainly believes his plan to be entirely sane.

This performance though runs into some trouble when it comes to reviewing it in its final act when it is revealed that Judge Doom is in fact a toon. In the scene Doom reveals two cartoon eyes as well as a high pitched squeaky voice. Obviously the voice is very much altered from Lloyd's actual voice in an artificial fashion, and the Lloyd's own eyes are animated over his. With both his voice and eyes being very much something after the fact your really cannot contribute it all to Lloyd performance, and more of to the special effects. To his credit he wears the eyes as well as the voice perfectly with matching insane expressions in his face that are entirely his own. No matter what though this is nothing against the performance. As it stands this is a fun villainous turn by the underrated Christopher Lloyd who manages to show the joy of performance well still being properly creepy in his role.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1988

And the Nominees Were Not:

Michael Palin in A Fish Called Wanda

Tim Robbins in Bull Durham

Philippe Noiret in Cinema Paradiso

Alan Rickman in Die Hard

Christopher Lloyd in Who Framed Roger Rabbit