Brilliant acting defined by one look.

All this Fincher talk lately gave me the idea for this post. So many bloggers were pointing out how awesome Rooney Mara was in her short time in The Social Network, that it gave me this idea. Sometimes a simple look an actor gives is nothing short of brilliant. So here are my favorite examples of great acting in one particular scene.

Rooney Mara in The Social Network - When Erica finds out what Mark has been saying about her online. Just look at her face. Mara shows she's one of the best actors in this movie with this look alone.

Denis Leary in Rescue Me - The look on Tommy's face when he finds out his son has died is absolutely heartbreaking, and is the only time I've ever cried when watching a TV show.

Sophie Turner in Game of Thrones - Sansa's gone through hell in King's Landing. And when Margaery, a proper lady she admires offers friendship, Sansa is so happy she nearly cries. Look at her face. She was perfect.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Brady Corbet in Mysterious Skin - This is the scene where the reality of what happened to these men when they were children sinks in, and all they can do is sit there silently with each other. 

Don Cheadle in Hotel Rwanda - His despair in this scene. I burst out in tears. (shocker, I know)

Natalie Portman in Black Swan - "I was perfect" she says. The reality of how much she wanted that hits you like a ton of bricks. 

Henry Fonda in 12 Angry Men - His face says "Literally, you can buy this same knife anywhere, for fucks sakes."

Michelle Fairley in Game of Thrones - Catelyn's life is ruined and she's about to die. She knows this, and you can feel her anguish. 

Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul in Breaking Bad - This hug says so many things. Walt's manipulation of Jesse. Jesse knowing it's all bullshit. Yet deep down, even after everything, they can't help but still care about the other. 

Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight - The Joker's introduction set the stage for what was in store. We know here we're in for a wild ride.

Adepero Oduye in 12 Years A Slave - Eliza telling Solomon why she will continue to weep for her children was powerful, heart breaking, yet very brave of her. She had nothing to lose at this point.

Evan Rachel Wood in Thirteen - This was the moment that the weight of Tracey's decisions came crashing down on her. 

Ralph Fiennes in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Yes, I had to sneak some Harry Potter in here. But seriously, (Siriusly?) The minute Voldemort opens his eyes after returning is terrifying. We know immediately he's still every bit as dangerous as he once was.

Kevin Spacey in American Beauty - "Spectacular" The monologue he's giving and the way Spacey plays it match up so perfectly.

Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men - Yep. He's going to kill you.

Melissa McBride in The Walking Dead - Carol having to make one of the hardest decisions she's ever done weighs heavy on not only her, but the viewers. We feel Carol's pain here, but we know she's doing the right thing. 

Michael Shannon in Take Shelter - No one loses their shit quite like Michael Shannon. It's so hard to watch him in this scene. Everyone is judging him, thinking he's crazy, but no one is offering to help him. It's sad.

Hopefully this post made sense. Tell me some of your favorites?