OUTSTANDING MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Brian Dennehy as Del in "DRIVEWAYS"

Colman Domingo as Cutler in "MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM"

Jonathan Majors as David in "DA 5 BLOODS"

Paul Raci as Joe in "SOUND OF METAL"

Dan Stevens as Alexander Lemtov in "EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA"

AND THE WINNER:

PAUL RACI AS JOE IN "SOUND OF METAL"

This is the first win and nomination for Paul Raci. He wins for his performance as Joe in Sound of Metal.

There's a reason when it came to the most awarded supporting actor this years critical season that Raci triumphed as the major winner. He is the strong centre of SOM a film of great heartbreak as we follow its central character trying to rediscover himself after becoming deaf. Raci plays Joe a recovering alcoholic who runs the shelter Ahmed's Ruben goes to when he sets out on his plan of recovery. There isn't anything particularly flashy about Raci's work and the effectiveness of his performance is built on the strength he displays for the broken Ruben as well as the challenge he brings towards Ruben on the journey to recovery. Raci's standout scene is his final shared with Ahmed where Joe asks Ruben to leave the shelter following a disagreement between the two.

Raci's work is proof that any actor can appear at any age and be spectacular no matter the size of the role. I was happy Raci ran the gauntlet when it came to critics prizes because if we lived in a perfect world he would be winning the well deserved supporting actor prize at every televised ceremony (thankfully he received the Oscar nom, the one true SUPPORTING role recognised).