-By Simi Horwitz

There is consensus this year about the best film ensembles, at least among the five critics Back Stage spoke with.

They all like "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire," "Up in the Air," and "An Education." Other films high on the list include "A Serious Man," "The Hurt Locker," "Nine," and "Inglourious Basterds." The five critics are Pete Hammond, contributing film critic for Back Stage and Box Office Magazine and columnist for The Envelope, the Awards Insider for the Los Angeles Times; Kevin Lally, executive editor, Film Journal International; Sean Smith, Los Angeles bureau chief, Entertainment Weekly; Kristopher Tapley, owner and editor-in-chief, InContention.com; and Anne Thompson, of IndieWire's Thompson on Hollywood blog.

Difficult Subjects

All the films mentioned by the critics feature top-notch actors: some stars, others unknowns. Many casts represent an eclectic mix of newbies and veterans. Smith feels that the diversity of experience, race, ethnicity, and age represents a trend in this year's crop of ensemble casts. Thompson says the common denominator in the films' content is how difficult subject matter is portrayed in an accessible and uplifting way. Lally notes that within these parameters young women are protagonists in several movies.

Heading the list is "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire." The gritty depiction of an abused, obese, illiterate Harlem teenager is admired on many fronts, not least for its hitherto unknown lead, Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe. Equally impressive, say the critics, is Mo'Nique, mostly known as a standup comic and light TV actor, who takes on the role of a brutal mother and delivers a searing, complex, and layered dramatic performance. Hammond also cites actors in the film's smaller roles performing in new and unexpected ways. Among these are Mariah Carey, performing with no makeup and demonstrating acting chops as a social worker; Paula Patton in a more-than-plausible turn as the teacher; and Sherri Shepherd, best known as a co-host on "The View," as a receptionist. "There's a lot of momentum on this one, and it's a crowd pleaser," adds Smith. "The material is shocking on so many levels, and the performances are incredibly impressive."

No one disputes "Up in the Air" is a star vehicle for George Clooney as an emotionally disconnected man who makes his living flying around the country, firing people. But the critics concur the supporting cast is also sensational, especially Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick as the two women in his life, "who thematically represent so much about the main character," says Tapley. "I liked the smaller performances by J.K. Simmons and Jason Bateman. The film also edited in actual footage of interviews with real people who had lost their jobs and talk about what it feels like to be fired. These aren't SAG actors, but it goes to amplify the ensemble nature of the film."

Adds Smith, "It's timely and elegant and light on its feet. When you leave the movie, it lingers. It has resonance." He also admires Clooney's "mature, controlled performance" and appreciates that Farmiga, who usually doesn't get to show her chops, does so here. The largely unknown Kendrick is also appealing, in part because she is a fresh face. Despite the film's edgy subject matter, says Thompson, it remains "entertaining, witty, and amusing."

Those elements also come together, she says, in "An Education," a rite-of-passage story centering on a bright young girl (Carey Mulligan) who has a hurtful affair with a much older man in London, circa 1960. All the reviewers feel that Mulligan's portrayal of a high-IQ innocent marks a stunning leading-role screen debut. They also praise the supporting cast, especially Alfred Molina as her buffoonish but well-meaning father and Peter Sarsgaard as the seducer who can't help himself. "It's a wonderful group of actors," says Hammond. "And though the film is led by Carey Mulligan, she blends in."

He also cites Joel and Ethan Coen's "A Serious Man," a dark family comedy, as an example of a tight-knit ensemble made up of unknown actors. The lead, Michael Stuhlbarg, is a recognized name in New York theater circles but virtually unknown to film audiences. "Like all Coen movies, it is the ensemble that drives the story," says Tapley. "Their movies show how the community affects the main character. There are great performances here across the board."

War Is Hell

Two war pictures featuring tight-knit ensembles the critics admire—in various degrees— are "The Hurt Locker" and "Inglourious Basterds." The latter is Quentin Tarantino's violent film focusing on the exploits of several Jewish soldiers out to kill Nazis in the early 1940s. Though mega-star Brad Pitt is the lead, "he fits right into the ensemble," says Hammond. "The film is divided into five parts, and different actors are highlighted in each part. It is a triumph of casting and ensemble work. Christoph Waltz is amazing as a Nazi commander." There is consensus on Waltz's performance, as well as the interesting mix of characters in the film. Smith notes it should have added appeal to industry insiders because of the many cinematic references throughout and the beautiful way it is shot.

Thompson cites the high-level ensemble acting in "The Hurt Locker" and its focus on the experiences of individual men in extraordinary danger in a bomb-disposal unit. It's dramatic and stylish, and it's a new way of looking at war, she says. Tapley remarks on the extraordinary performances of Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, and Ralph Fiennes, among others. Still, his personal favorite is Oren Moverman's "The Messenger," though he says it "won't be nominated, even if it's seen." Starring Ben Foster and Woody Harrelson, the film recounts the experiences of two officers on Casualty Notification service, informing military families that their loved ones have been killed in the line of duty. "It's a series of vignettes, and everyone rings true and authentic," Tapley says.

Also Playing

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Rob Marshall's star-studded adapted musical "Nine," which none of the critics had seen when interviewed. But they felt nonetheless it had a lot going for it—not least its many Oscar winners, says Lally. Unlike the other contenders, it is a virtual who's who of A-listers, including Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Sophia Loren. The array is "dazzling," says Hammond. Smith says he has heard mixed things about the film. He suggests almost slyly it might get nominated in the ensemble category because, if nothing else, it would guarantee a big star turnout.

Several critics cite films they wish were in the running but don't think will be. Hammond and Tapley like "Star Trek." "The actors are re-creating something that has been done over and over," says Hammond. "These actors are taking on venerable characters played by major actors, renewing and remaking the film even better than before." He also likes last summer's "The Hangover." Thompson praises "Bright Star" and "Julie & Julia."

Several critics mention films they had not yet seen but suspected may be in the running— including "The Last Station," "It's Complicated," and "The Lovely Bones." Besides being based on a popular novel, " 'The Lovely Bones' has a lot of great parts for actors," says Lally. "And the film stars such actors as Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Saoirse Ronan, and Stanley Tucci."

"It's Complicated"—the Nancy Meyers romantic comedy starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin—earns nods from the critics because of the star-powered cast but also because Martin and Baldwin will be hosting the Oscars. That bit of promotion boosts the film's already high-profile status in all award categories.

One film that isn't in the running and should be, says Smith, is "Where the Wild Things Are." He especially admires the vocal performances of its stars, most notably the work of James Gandolfini. But Smith says it's not just the voices: "The characters are real and alive and complicated. They give such adult performances. I'd like to see a film like that recognized."
-Nielsen Business Media