I've Loved You so Long - Kristin Scott Thomas in a Tour De Force Performance

Philippe Claudel's Directorial Debut was One of 2008's Overlooked Movies

Matt Damon, when he was on "Inside The Actor's Studio," said that if you want to win an Oscar, you have to do the flashiest role possible. It has to be a role with big dramatic moments where you are crying out to the heavens because that's what the Academy seems to love and respond to the most. Matt also said that the performances where the actors don't ever make it look like they are acting, where they seem so subtle in their actions, represent the best kind of acting to him, and they never get nominated. There is a lot of truth to what he said as the most dramatic roles that do win Oscars are almost operatic in the emotions that pour out. This is not to take away from actors who have won Oscars, be it Kate Winslet or Sean Penn, for they did do tremendous work in their individual films. But looking back, I think Damon made a great point. Some of the best acting on film involves actors inhabiting to where they suck you in so much that it almost makes you forget that you are watching a movie.

This certainly seems to be the case with Kristin Scott Thomas' incredible performance as Juliette Fontaine in "I've Loved You So Long," for it was far and away one of the best performances given by any actor in 2008. Perhaps best known for her role in "The English Patient," Kristin more than inhabits a character who is forever trapped by a moment in time that no one around her will ever let go of. With this role, it's the moments where she doesn't say anything that speak volumes. While she does not try to make the character likable or remotely warm, her eyes speak of a pain that will never heal, and she remains empathetic throughout.