I just kept thinking while watching it that I haven't seen a better male performance this year. I know it may seem odd, but I really think he was the best out there, and Christ knows I've seen enough movies from the past year to make an informed decision. Perhaps other movies are better, but I think this is anchored more by it's performances than it's story, which certainly isn't the first time. Walk the Line was a similar movie better for it's acting than the film itself, but that had a tendency to take itself far too seriously. Although I am leaning towards Reese Witherspoon as my favorite actress of 2005.