Actor: James Woods

James Woods was nominated for Salvador and Ghosts of Mississippi, and his particular quality is speed: he delivers dialogue faster than the other actor expects and uses the resulting imbalance.

Once Upon a Time in America is the best performance, playing a friend whose betrayal is the film’s structural spine, and Casino gives him a small role of pure parasitic charm.

Videodrome and Salvador are the ones to seek out, both playing men whose grip on the situation is deteriorating.

His public political commentary has been prominent for the last decade and has reduced his film work considerably.