5 Awesome...
5. W.N. Bilbo - Lincoln (2012)
This bit part from Steven Spielbergs 2012s historical biopic is, in its own way, as much a character study as Day-Lewis soft-spoken, gangly Commander in Chief, albeit on a much smaller scale. As loquacious Southern lobbyist Republican William N. Bilbo, Spader is paired with John Hawkes more low-key Robert Latham - a highly effective odd couple - and proceeds to steal every scene hes in. Bushy and disreputable, Bilbo spends most of the film petitioning Senators on behalf of the 13th Amendment and a large portion of that time dodging injury or death from those who take umbrage at his offer of financial recompense. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jXbRmLkwew Spader wrings every drop of comedy out of these proceedings: check out the scene just above in which, fleeing from a pistol-wielding Congressman intent on shooting him, hes forced to dash back and collect his fallen papers. Spaders panicked cursing would be mirthful enough, even without the jaunty string score that accompanies it, or the fact he pauses to kick leaves at the representative as he reloads for a second shot. Also, there's Spaders wood carving, apparently a popular Civil War hobby, which he suggested for the character himself. Say what you like about Day-Lewis Oscar, but did he end up with a small wooden duck at the end of it? No, no he did not.