Heath Ledger - the Joker [The Dark Knight]
It's a such performance that's become a pop icon of sorts I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned. Or maybe I'm not.
Gene Hackman - Royal Tenenbaum [The Royal Tenenbaums]
"I've had a good run."
Tom Hanks - John Baskin [Big]
The best man child performance out there.
Meryl Streep - Susan Orlean [Adaptation]
Her character has to go to so many different places in this wild script. I doubt anyone could've done it as well.
Jennifer Connolly - Sarah Williams [Waking the Dead]
I probably would have a hard time moving on from this girl as well.
Kate Winslet - Clementine Kruczynski [Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind]
Complex. I want nothing to do with this character and am totally attracted to her at the same time.
Some of my other faves:
Chris Cooper - John Laroche [Adaptation]
Sir Ian McKellan - Gandalf [Lord of the Rings]
Burt Reynolds - Jack Horner [Boogie Nights]
Claire Danes - Sookie [Igby Goes Down]
Martin Landau - Bela Lugosi [Ed Wood} + Judah Rosenthal [Crimes and Misdemeanors]
Brad Pitt - Mickey O'Neil [Snatch]
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Freddie Miles [The Talented Mr Riply]