Maximus' Top Ten of 2011-Best Supporting Actress

This is the second in a series of six posts discussing my top ten in acting, directing, and films of 2011.

10. Melissa McCarthy-Bridesmaids: I was late to the game on Bridesmaids, but even seeing it after all the hype, I could appreciate the over the top yet great performance McCarthy gave. Her character may have been the craziest, but in a weird way was also the easiest to believe.
9. Bryce Dallas Howard- The Help: The least heralded of all the performances in the film, Howard had the task of playing the only unlikable main character in the film, and did it very well.
8. Elle Fanning-Super 8: Sometimes acting just runs in the family, and if you doubted the little sister could act, your feelings were erased by the halfway mark of Super 8.
7. Evan Rachel Wood- Ides of March: A small but important roll in the film, she went from charming to scared and vulnerable with one revelation, and stood eye to eye with all the great actors she shared scenes with.
6. Sandra Bullock- Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close: A tough one to judge because her character was contrived, predictable, and had a very silly arc in the film. However despite the material, Bullock rose above it and delivered some very poignant scenes that proved to be the emotional core of the film.
5. Melanie Laurent-Beginners: A very solid performance as a woman with a rough past who is attempting to move on while helping her new boyfriend move on from his own demons.
4. Jessica Chastain-The Tree of Life: Same as my description of Pitt in the Supporting actor category, Pitt and Chastain were the only thing that kept The Tree of Life from not being a complete train wreck. Chastain left her happiness, misery, and fear all out on the table for us to watch.
3. Shailene Woodley-The Descendants: Had to play a troubled teen, a grieving daughter, a brave sister, and be the comedic foil all in the same film, and had to do it all opposite one of the best living actors. For a relative newcomer, that is a job well done.
2. Octavia Spencer-The Help: Most people's favorite performance in the film, funny, emotional, strong, and done by an actress not many people expected it from. If it wasn't for the over the top acting during the feces pie scenes, would probably be number one.
1. Jessica Chastain-The Help: Played the anti socialite who wanted to be one of the girls, but was a better person then those she wanted to be like. Chastain played the character amazingly during her highs, her lows, and all the crazy in betweens.

Next up will be Best Actress and Best Actor.