Most Underrated Performances of the Year

5. Emma Thompson- Brideshead Revisited

She is in total command of her character and even though she is in just precious few scenes she leaves a lasting impact that causes the audience to wish there was a prequel just about her.

4. Aaron Eckhart- The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger stole the show in the movie, but Eckhart's transition as a good but flawed District Attorney seeking to fight corruption at any cost into a monster is as believable as anything else in the film.

3. Cate Blanchett- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I can't believe that her performance isn't getting its due this year; usually she's an awards show favorite. While this part does perhaps not have the likability nor the character arc of Benjamin Button, Cate brings something pure into the part; and she matches Brad and proves to be the perfect love for him; indeed, it is easy to why he was in love with her for all those years as the audience comes to be as well.

2. Brad Pitt- Burn After Reading

He lights up the few scenes he's in with a jolt of electricity that's different from any other part I've seen him in, even Thelma & Louise so long ago, and when he leaves the screen were it not for Frances McDormand's brilliance, Burn After Reading would not be as well received as it has been.

1. Emile Hirsch- Milk

I had just watched him in Into the Wild about two weeks before I saw this movie and man has he proven himself to be a brilliant actor just in these two performances. Totally different in almost every way, he puts life and charisma into each and has all the qualities of a young actor about to explode. Shia be damned, Emile is far more talented and deserves all the attention he gets.

Breakout of the Year:
Hayley Atwell for Cassandra's Dream, starring Ewan MacGregor and Colin Farrell and directed by Woody Allen; and Brideshead Revisited, starring Matthew Goode and Ben Whishaw and directed by Julian Jarrold.

Fresh out of drama school, this young and uncommonly beautiful British actress has had one crazy year. Getting to star with actors the caliber of Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, Colin and Ewan would be a dream for one's lifetime, but not twice in one year. When she bursts onto screen in Cassandra she is so luminous and fresh that it seems ridiculous that she's done so few movies and is only now being discovered, but it seems that Atwell has hit at just the right time.

She plays the desired woman in both movies and creates an erotic tension that vibrates off of the screen with barely a kiss to be seen. For such a young actress, it is genuinely exciting to watch her and see the incredible career that she has ahead of her.

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