I really really really loved Brenda Fricker in this. Her performance was very quiet and subtle yet it packs an emotional punch. She sure deserved her Oscar for this.
shareShe was very good and it was nice for an unknown character actress to win an Oscar (this seldom happens anymore - if it had been today, Julia Roberts would probably have beaten her for Steel Magnolias) but for me the great supporting performance was Hugh O'Conor as the boy Christy. He is superb in a difficult physical role, and blends so seamlessly with Day-Lewis's work that it seems unfair that he was completely overlooked by awards. The one performance simply wouldn't work as well without the other.
shareAgreed. Fricker absolutely smashed it, she portrayed a model mother with great love, patience and wisdom quietly behind her eyes. Bravo.
Can you imagine a performance like this today? Women are rewarded for playing obnoxious wannabe men, an ageing loving Irish Catholic mother would be considered evil.