9. Octavia Spencer - Fruitvale Station
This won't be the first time Octavia Spencer has attracted favourable attention after offering an eye-catching role in a hugely important film, after her successes with The Help, but that doesn't make her performance in Fruitvale Station any less noteworthy. Spencer plays Wanda, the pious mother of central character Oscar (played by Michael B Jordan,) who is clearly anxious for her son, after his time spent in prison, and for his young family. She is one of his grounding voices of reason, the anchors that keep him from allowing the animal side of his character, which is hinted at briefly, to resurface and drag him away from his aspirations to be a better man. For the most part, Wanda steps in and out of the narrative offering a glimpse of Oscar's normal family life, and of what he could live every day if he can get himself back on his feet and away from criminal influences. Her presence in those scenes is homely and authoritative, particularly during one heated confrontation with her son in prison, but it is when the events of that fateful New Year's Eve take a turn for the worst that her performance shines. As Oscar lies in hospital, Wanda takes centre-stage, putting down the angry protests of his friends, and asking for hope instead and prayers, and her fervent hope is a touching note to the inevitable, known tragedy, and it is easily one of the defining moments of the entire film.
Read the full Fruitvale Station review here.