15 Awesome 2014 Performances That Deserve Oscars (But Won't Get Nominated)

15. Michael Fassbender - Frank

Lenny Abrahamson's wildly eccentric comic drama is earmarked by Michael Fassbender's superb performance as the title character, a singer who wears a paper-mâché Frank Sidebottom mask at all times. With his lyrical talents and perennially calm demeanour, Fassbender creates a deeply enigmatic, fascinating and occasionally hilarious central figure here, managing to imbue Frank with plenty of expressiveness despite the handicap of wearing a mask which completely covers his face at almost all times. Fassbender's demanding job is compounded by later character revelations involving mental illness, a challenge he rises to like an absolute champ. Though his work here might be a tad too slight for the Academy, it's still a magnificent showcase that absolutely deserves to be recognised.