Best in 2014 Movies: Best Actors Include Brendan Gleeson in 'Calvary', Eddie Redmayne in 'The Theory of Everything'

By Francisco & David Salazar First Posted: Dec 29, 2014 09:00 PM EST

A film is the union of all its parts to create a glorious whole.

But a lot of people know that certain elements of a film can stand above others and carry a film. One of these elements is the lead actor or actress. A great performance from an actor can make a film an instant classic. Every nuance, every detail can make for a fascinating study in and of itself.

As part of the best in film in 2014, film writers David and Francisco Salazar take a look at their favorite performances by a lead actor this year.

No Place in the World

By David Salazar

It was not easy making this choice (though admittedly actress might have been more difficult).

There were so many good performances, and then there were the great ones. Benedict Cumberbatch's painfully tortured Alan Turing is haunting and impossible to shake off. Eddie Redmayne's emotionality came through despite his limited movements in "The Theory of Everything." Michael Keaton's psychological daze in "Birdman." The unforgettable Ralph Fiennes showing off a new facet of his work in "The Grand Budapest Hotel." Other greats include Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler," Oscar Isaac in "A Most Violent Year" and Timothy Spall in "Mr. Turner."

But the one that remains a standout above these wondrous turns is Brendan Gleeson's in "Calvary." Gleeson plays Father James, a man whose life is threatened on a Sunday and has until the following week to get his life in order before his death. The film's narrative simply observes Father James' week, his interactions with his parishioners and his increasing sense of uselessness. It is truly a painful experience for James to see himself ridiculed and threatened by almost everyone he comes into contact with.

Gleeson's performance retains a sense of serenity throughout despite the mounting disappointments he faces. He has a dry comic quality in his conversations, but his eyes (which are a focal point of the camera) always retain compassion. But the performance, which starts off with the expression of internal suffering in these very eyes, slowly reveals itself in a more external outrage. The noble priest starts losing his composure and becomes increasingly vulnerable to everything around him. In a glorious sequence, he almost loses his mind completely and makes a huge mistake, only to wind up suffering all the more in the end. The climactic epiphany is as subtle as it gets, but Gleeson's expressions and looks in this moment deliver the sense of defeat.

He might not be the headliner for awards in what is mostly a subtle and nuanced turn. But those who watch "Calvary" will likely never forget his ability to make a moment both harrowing and comic within seconds.

Immobile But Uplifting

By Francisco Salazar

The 2014 calendar year was one of the best years for male lead performances.

Not only were there over 20 great performances, but the work was diverse in range and in scale. Jack O'Connell had two major roles of contrasting dramatic weight in "Unbroken" and "Starred Up," and Michael Keaton was a comedic force in "Birdman." Benedict Cumberbatch gave a heartbreaking tour de force performance in "The Imitation Game," and Oscar Isaac gave one of the most subtle yet dramatic performances of the year in "A Most Violent Year." The list only continues with a number of great actors.

However, the most revelatory work of the year was Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Stephen Hawking in "The Theory of Everything." Redmayne had showcased some very good performances in "My Week with Marilyn" and "Les Miserables" However, those roles were merely supporting turns that sometimes got overshadowed by the leads.

In "The Theory of Everything" Redmayne is the movie, and without his commitment, the film would never work. Redmayne's physical transformation is a marvel. At the beginning of the film, Redmayne shows Hawking's awkwardness in some of his facial expressions and in the way he walks. However, as the character is diagnosed with ALS, Redmayne's body transforms. He takes on a limp and his face becomes contorted.

But his transformation goes beyond the physicality. When his character is no longer able to speak or move, Redmayne's performance is focused on his eyes. Through them, he is able to express his deepest grief and his happiness. In particular, one of the best scenes is when he learns he is no longer able to speak and must learn the alphabet by blinking. Redmayne's eyes start tearing up in sadness, and, while his body is immobile, the audience can easily view his sentiment. It is a heartbreaking scene that is among the most memorable of the year.

His on-screen chemistry with Felicity Jones is also a positive aspect to the film. Throughout the movie, the two protagonists are forced to age. While these two young actors are both in their 30s, it is hard to believe they are in their 50s and 60s by the end of the movie. However, their physicality and their emotional performances hide this shortcoming and make for one of the best on-screen couples of the year.

All in all, Eddie Redmayne gives the most complete and compelling turns of the year and one that will be remembered for years to come.