Hi everyone! We have just wrapped the 2010’s so that means that it’s time at Reel Heels to look back at the decade that was. So, with that in mind, we wanted to commemorate the best performances of film and television of the decade. What I decided to do was select 10 performances in film and 10 in television (with no more than one representative from a movie or show). So, with that in mind, let’s get to the list, beginning with the television selections. These choices are listed in alphabetical order, not necessarily “best.”
TOP TELEVISION PERFORMANCES
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
While anyone from the Parks and Rec ensemble could have made this list, I don’t know that the show could work without Poehler playing Leslie Knope, the glue that holds the show together. Poehler is asked to wear many hats over the course of the show, but her ability to form unique relationships with every character in the ensemble, her ability to hit the right emotion in every scene, and her wonderful ability to keep us laughing while she does it earned her a spot on this list for one of the most iconic characters in recent television history. - Andre Braugher (Brooklyn Nine Nine)
Braugher had long been respected as a dramatic actor, so to see him play a comedic character came as a surprise to many. However, his natural gravitas has been turned into a major comedic weapon as Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine Nine. Holt’s steadfast lack of emotion allows for some wonderful comedic moments, especially when he breaks his traditional deadpan delivery for an unexpected exclamation. Braugher’s relationship with lead Andy Samberg is also one of the stronger one two punches on television. All in all, a wonderful performance from a wonderful actor. - Bill Hader (Barry)
I remembered when Bill Hader joined SNL and I said to my friends that I thought he would be a star. Well, as it turned out, I was correct. I just didn’t know his star would include playing a hit man trying to become an actor. Hader shows his versatility as Barry Block, who can be funny (no surprise from Hader) but can also be a man capable of doing unspeakable things. If you are only familiar with Hader from his SNL characters, it may be surprising to see this sort of range or this character, but I am so happy that he has found this level of success. - Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
As you may have noticed at this point in the list, I am a fan of actors finding success when playing against type, and none did that more successfully than Cranston as Walter White. Cranston was largely known for sitcom work, either as the dad on Malcom in the Middle or cameos on Seinfeld, but it was White who would prove to be his greatest character and one of the greatest in television history. Cranston’s ample skill was used to transform White from a mild mannered teacher to a meth kingpin and Cranston commands every scene that he is in. He won a number of Emmys for this role, and rightly so. All hail the king.
(A quick disclaimer, I considered selecting Bob Odenkirk for this list for his great work on Better Call Saul, but felt if I was limiting myself to one character per show, it wasn’t fair to include a spin-off character. There are other great performances on that show from new characters, but that was a grey area for me) - Donald Glover (Atlanta)
Donald Glover is one of the most versatile performers working today, a great musician in addition to being a very talented actor and writer. He showcases his versatility in Atlanta, one of the most unique and creative shows on television. His work as Earn is a great vehicle for his talent, where he can show his comedic abilities as well as his dramatic chops. It certainly helps that he has some wonderful talent to play off of, but Glover is the centerpiece of this show, and the reason that it’s as great as it is. - Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Jon Hamm became a household name thanks to his work as Don Draper on Mad Men. Draper is a heavy drinking, womanizing, career focused anti hero, but Hamm captures a lot of nuance in this performance, while also having the air of confidence and coolness that became synonymous with the character. Draper had a lot of demons that he struggled with and yet could always deliver when the pressure was on, in large part due to Hamm’s ability to deliver a masterful performance every scene. - Julia Louis Dreyfus (Veep)
There is an argument one could make that Julia Louis Dreyfus is the greatest television actor of all time, and with six consecutive Emmy wins for this character (a record; she also is tied for the record for a performer with 8 total) it’s hard to argue that her work as Selina Meyer is one of the great performer-character pairings of all time. She masterfully brings perfect comedic timing and delivery as this foul mouthed politician who isn’t as competent as she believes, and in the hands of someone less talented, I don’t know this character works. But in hers? One of the greats of all time. - Matthew McConaughey (True Detective)
The only one-and-done character on this list, McConaughey was in the first season of True Detective and gave one of the best performances (if not the single best) of his career as Detective Rust Cohle. McConaughey plays Cohle at two stages of his life as a nihilist with a penchant for uniquely worded monologues about existence and he is absolutely captivating. The first season of True Detective is one of the best things that aired on television in the 21st century, and it was thanks in large part to the performance of McConaughey. - Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Game of Thrones is unquestionably an ensemble show, but Peter Dinklage is the star that shines brightest from the folks from Westeros. His work as Tyrion Lannister is nuanced, his line delivery is masterful, his ability to nail the emotion of a scene is unparalleled, and in a show that kills big characters unlike any other, he was the one I most wanted to see survive until the end. Luckily for me, and a countless number of fans, we got our wish and got to see this great character for as many episodes as possible. - Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Another show that features a top notch ensemble, Fey is the center that this wild cast of characters revolves around. Fey is often the straight (Wo)man to the more extravagant characters, but she is always steady in her ability to delivery some great comedy, in addition to being the creative force that drives the show forward. Her portrayal of Liz Lemon is one that will be long remembered by fans of great comedy series for years to come.
TOP MOVIE PERFORMANCES
- Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Waltz made his name with American audiences in his first collaboration with Quentin Tarantino as a Nazi in Inglourious Basterds, and his second collaboration as Dr. King Schultz in Django Unchained was no less successful, earning him another Oscar for Supporting Actor. Waltz has a great time as Schultz, a bounty hunter who pairs with a slave. He has wonderful chemistry with everyone on screen, but his wonderful line delivery and powerful screen presence make him a character that belongs in the discussion for Tarantino’s best. - Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
It’s no secret that Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen, and his role as our 16th president earned him his third Academy Award. He becomes so totally engrossed as the character, to the point where you really feel you are watching Abraham Lincoln in reality. Day-Lewis often thrives playing larger than life characters, and while that description doe apply to Lincoln, he plays him as a weary figure, struggling with the weight to keep the country together, yet we still get the glimpses of the strength and wisdom that made Lincoln one of the great presidents to ever live. And the performance leaves no doubt that Day-Lewis is one of the greatest actors ever as well. - Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)
In a relatively short career so far, Kaluuya has shown impeccable taste when it comes to selecting his roles. This is most evident in his role in Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out. Kaluuya is able to tap into so many emotions, with his scene where he first is taken to the sunken place becoming instantly iconic. This is a man with a bright career ahead of him, but his work will be cut out for him if ever he is to top this performance that earned him an Oscar nomination. While there is no doubt that the script was a work of genius, if we had a less talented actor than Kaluuya in the lead, I’m not certain this movie would have been as captivating as it was. Either way, I’m glad we had such a talented performer in this role. - Emma Stone (La La Land)
Stone is an actress capable of many things, and all her talents were on display in La La Land. She sings, dances, and acts wonderfully, and this triple threat demonstration earned her an Academy Award. She has remarkable chemistry with Ryan Gosling, and is able to make audiences laugh and cry as they go along on the journey of a dreamer looking for her big break. Luckily for us, the real actress got it long ago, so we can enjoy her roles for years to come. - Hugh Grant (Paddington 2)
Hugh Grant does the best acting of his entire career in Paddington 2 as the villainous washed up actor Phoenix Buchanan and should have been nominated for an Oscar for Supporting Actor. I said it and I stand behind that statement 100%. - JK Simmons (Whiplash)
Simmons delivers an iconic villain performance in this turn as a vindictive perfectionist music teacher that earned him an Oscar for Supporting Actor. A friend of mine described this character as the devil, and I think that is a pretty apt description, but Simmons deserves a ton of credit for this performance that will stand as one of the great villain turns of the 21st century. He commands the screen just like his character commands his students, demanding greatness with every breath. Lucky for us, Simmons delivers that. - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
In a career full of excellent performances, I believe that Leo’s role as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street may be the best of the bunch. DiCaprio has a manic energy in this role, going to the depths of depravity in what is an equally electrifying, hilarious, and masterful performance. DiCaprio does some of his best work with Scorsese and that is evident here as he delivers a performance of a lifetime. - Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
The role that launched Melissa McCarthy from character actress to household name and Oscar nominee. McCarthy is hysterical in Bridesmaids, stealing every scene she is in. She delivers a high energy performance, using her physicality and line delivery to command the screen. While the entire ensemble of this movie is very strong, it’s McCarthy’s performance that will stand the test of time and belongs in the pantheon of great comedic film performances. - Michael Keaton (Birdman)
While Birdman isn’t a film that is based on a true story, it’s hard not to see the similarities of its story and Michael Keaton’s career. Keaton plays an actor who starred as a superhero long ago and can’t fully escape the shadow of that character as he strives to be taken seriously as an actor. Keaton’s captivating performance is a masterclass in this meta role, delivering subtle nuances that create a character that is fully formed. Keaton has had a storied career, but his role in Birdman may be the best one to date. - Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel)
Ralph Fiennes is a versatile performer who often plays villains, but when he flexes his comedic side as he does in The Grand Budapest Hotel, it’s a thing of beauty. His comedic timing is masterful, his delivery is impeccable, and his chemistry is undeniable. Wes Anderson is a director who knows how to get a lot out of his actors, but when they are as talented as Fiennes, it makes it that much easier to get one of the great performances of the decade.
So, there you have it, my 20 favorite film and television performances of the 2010’s. What were some of yours? Let us know! Make sure you check out all of our other lists from this week as we celebrate the best of the year and the decade!