30 Oscar losers that should have been Oscar winners

Tom Cruise losing to Michael Caine – Best Supporting Actor (2000)

The Winner

Michael Caine in The Cider House Rules. He plays Dr. Larch, a kindly obstetrician who also runs an orphanage in the age of World War II. He’s also #prochoice. Thanks, Dr. Larch.

The Loser

Tom Cruise in Magnolia. He plays Frank T.J. Mackey, a sleazy pick-up artist who eventually has to face the ugliness of himself, his life, and his family. He goes from lecturing men’s rights activists on how to attract women to confront the reality of his dying, estranged father.

Why It Was Wrong

Hi, my name is Emily and Magnolia is one of the best movies ever made, don’t @ me. Seriously though, I really believe this.

The ensemble-driven meditation on the greater force connecting us all is truly revelatory in terms of its storytelling. Basically, every character functions as the main character, with their own story and their own character arc. Which is different from many supporting roles, just because – well, they’re called supporting for a reason.

Generally, when an actor is in a supporting role category, it’s because the movie is essentially about someone else. This is true in the case of The Cider House Rules; Homer, played by Tobey Maguire, is who the story is about. Michael Caine as Dr. Larch helps tell the story of Homer. As such, he doesn’t change much. It’s not about his journey. It’s about Homer’s.

But the thing with Magnolia is that it’s about every one of the characters individually. And as such, every one of the characters has their own complete, self-contained story. Such is the case with Tom Cruise as Frank. He has a full and complete story, despite not having the full two hours to tell it. The range and nuance he portrays in this film are mind-blowing. So yeah. He should have gotten the award.