2. Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day-Lewis' extraordinary ability to transform himself into any man has never been better exemplified than in Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece, There Will Be Blood. Day-Lewis inhabits Daniel Plainview, a self-described oil-man, ruthlessly determined to rise over everyone else and rule Californian oil like a kingdom. Day-Lewis explodes into the role with gruelling physicality, he plays Plainview with an impossible venom and coldness, yet he roars with the passion of a man whose determination is greater than any other force in the world. Anderson's masterful epic contains themes of vengeance, parental relationships, Godlessness, hate, existentialism, trust, family, greed and loneliness and they all collide in the force of nature that is Daniel Plainview. Paul Thomas Anderson created this formidable character but he is brought to life by Day-Lewis in his finest screen performance. Day-Lewis dominates the screen like no other, the ferocity of Plainview being powered into you by Day-Lewis' formidable voice and authentic mannerisms. The attention to detail is remarkable and you don't doubt Day-Lewis is this oilman who strived for years before hitting the big time for a single second. Plainview is at war with the world, he trusts no one but wants everything, whatever the cost. He shows no mercy and takes cruel delight in his climatic dismantling and murder of Eli - therefore, in his mind, destroying the embodiment of falsehood. Plainview's actions are explicitly vicious and the sheer force of will of the character penetrates your mind and never goes.