13 Bravest Acting Performances Of 2014

12. Miyavi As The Bird - Unbroken

Though Angelina Jolie's biopic of Louis Zamperini is headlined by Jack O'Connell's superb lead performance, much attention also went to Japanese musician Miyavi in the supporting role of Mutsuhiro "Bird" Watanabe, a severe Japanese corporal at the camp where Zamperini is being held. Taking huge offense to the man's Olympic glory, The Bird is particularly harsh on him, eventually pushing Zamperini to the physical brink by forcing him to hold up a heavy block of wood for hours on end. Miyavi received consistent praise for his role, which plays a major part in surrendering the harsh conditions of the war camps, and as such, he had plenty of responsibility to ensure that he did the part justice. All the more impressive is his performance considering that it's his first ever acting part, yet is shot through with such commitment and conviction that you'd never guess it just by looking at him. In fact, there's a good chance most Western audiences had no idea who he really was... Jolie certainly took a gamble by casting such an inexperienced actor in such a crucial part, but it absolutely paid off.