- [Narrator] With so many moving performances,
choosing 10 to highlight was difficult.
(dramatic music)
These were just a few of those who lived truthfully
in the moment as their characters, in no particular order.
(music swells)
- Herman Mankiewicz.
- [Narrator] Gary Oldman's portrayal
of "Citizen Kane" writer, Herman Mankiewicz
in "Mank" is a fantastic example
of an impressive transformation into a real person.
Oldman's mostly uninterrupted delivery of this speech,
including several long takes, remains engaging throughout.
- Wait a minute.
I forgot the love interest.
Her name, Dulcinea.
Funny, adventurous, smarter than she acts.
Why, she's a, she's a show girl beneath his social stratum,
but that's okay because true love
on the big screens, we all know is blind.
And she, well, she loves him too.
So he takes her away to his (stammers) mythical kingdom.
Can I get a bicarb?
Now, along comes nemesis.
That's Greek for any guy in a black hat.
(car door slams) (Amy inhales distraughtly)
- Amy Adams and Glenn Close, two more stars who transformed
into real people, delivered raw
and heartbreaking performances in "Hillbilly Elegy,"
fully living this emotional peak.
- Why did JD think he was going to kill him?
What'd you do to him? - Nothin'.
He said some shit, I got mad.
- Did you hit him?
- It's not serious, what was I supposed to do?
Let him get hit by a car?
If he wasn't being such a little shit--
- You always got a reason, it's always someone else's fault.
Some point, you're gonna have to take responsibility
or someone else is gonna have to--
- [Amy] Or what?
- Step in! - Who, huh, who!?
You?
- [Narrator] Not only are both actresses
incredibly expressive.
Their exploration of their characters' complex,
emotional relationship makes this scene richer
and more realistic. (whimsically tense music)
"The Trial of the Chicago 7" was another cinematic take
on a true story, featuring more incredible performances.
Although many people associate Sacha Baron Cohen
with comedies, he showed off his serious acting chops
as real life activist, Abbie Hoffman in this film,
especially during his testimony.
- We carried certain ideas across state lines.
Not machine guns or drugs or little girls, ideas.
When we crossed from New York to New Jersey to Pennsylvania
to Ohio to Illinois, we had certain ideas, and for that,
we were gassed, beaten, arrested, and put on trial.
- [Narrator] This clip is a fantastic example
of an actor using more controlled and subtle expressions
to his advantage.
Cohen is uncharacteristically restrained in this scene,
making his words even more powerful.
(smooth, jazzy music)
When Ma Rainey's ambitious horn player, Levee,
tells a lengthy and revealing childhood story,
the lack of physical action or visualizations
could have caused modern audiences to disengage.
Instead, Chadwick Boseman shines in long takes
with minimal blocking, using emotional rises and falls
to keep the entire speech engaging.
- He'd say "Levee, you the man of the house now.
Take care of your momma while I'm gone."
I wasn't but a little boy.
Eight years old.
My momma was frying up some chicken
when them mans come in that house.
Must've been eight or nine of 'em.
She standing there frying that chicken when the man's come
and took a hold a her, just like you'd take hold
of a mule to make it do what you want.
- [Narrator] Boseman's emotionally expressive storytelling
elicits deep emotional responses
from both the other characters and the audience.
(warm, acoustic music)
Sophia Loren is equally expressive
as the dying prostitute turned caretaker, Madame Rosa.
As she and Momo develop a closer relationship,
she turns to him with her fears and needs.
- Momo. (speaks foreign language)
(both converse in foreign language)
- [Narrator] Paul's emotional state hangs in the balance
between confidence and desperation,
during this three minute speech.
- (pants) Them son of bitches.
Son of bitches, son of...
Turned my own son against me. (whacks plants)
My own blood, goddamn.
Well, we gon' see who's standin' in the end.
- [Narrator] This monologue is all the more impressive
for having been filmed in one long take.
♪ Halfway up the stream ♪
- [Narrator] Deeply personal and revealing speeches
are common in romantic movies,
but what isn't common is Leah Lewis' standout performance.
- It's not finding your perfect half.
It's the trying and reaching...
and failing.
Love is...
being willing to ruin your good painting
for the chance at a great one.
(calm, melodic piano music)
Is this really the boldest stroke you can make?
- [Narrator] Her simplistic, deep, and honest expression
of her emotions perfectly captures the complexity
and clarity of the moment.
A sentimental scene in the midst
of an action packed adventure film,
Marwan Kenzari's defense is a particularly powerful
romantic speech.
- You're a child, an infant.
Your mocking is thus infantile.
He's not my boyfriend.
This man is more to me than you can dream.
He's the moon when I'm lost in darkness
and warmth when I shiver in cold,
and his kiss still thrills me even after a millennium.
His heart overflows with the kindness
of which this world is not worthy of.
I love this man beyond measure and reason.
He's not my boyfriend.
He's all and he's more.
- Incurable romantic.
- [Narrator] Kenzari makes this unexpected emotional moment
striking and engaging with his intensity and quick delivery.
So what's the one thing all these scenes have in common?
Emotion.
Of course, those 10 actors weren't the only ones
who gave incredibly emotional performances this year.
- Know which man you be messin' with.
- [Narrator] Whether they were in comedies or dramas.
- You got time for a sinner?
- [Narrator] Modern or period pieces.
- I don't have time for cultural revolution.
It distracts from actual revolution.
- [Narrator] Speaking Italian or English.
- Please just stop helping me.
- [Narrator] Critically acclaimed actors displayed
their impressive skills in closeups, long takes,
monologues, one-liners, and even non-verbal scenes.
But which actor stood out the most?
Let us know in the comments.
(bright music)