Oscar pursuit of Jaden Smith would be a natural

[MissAshley]

Oscar pursuit of Jaden Smith would be a natural

Posted 12/21/2006 8:33 PM ET

By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

Actors under 20 stole the screen from their elders this year. None of these actors got a Golden Globe nomination, but USA TODAY makes a case for Oscar voters to catch these five performances:

The actor: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, 8

The role: Christopher in Pursuit of Happyness, now in theaters

The son of stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden has an acting pedigree.

Still, his natural, low-key quality on screen is both astounding and moving. He has a wonderfully expressive face, with a smile that lights up an entire theater. When he tells a silly, childish joke, he's both endearing and heartwarming. He seems to have inherited his father's easy charm.

In Happyness, he plays the 5-year-old son of a hardworking man who just can't catch a break. His father has a series of major setbacks, which reach their nadir when the two are rendered homeless, sleeping in a train-station bathroom. Jaden blithely clings to his father's hand, repeating that he trusts him, seeming to play along with his father's desperate attempts at normalcy.

But he also has a healthy dose of realism, blurting out the truth in situations when his father would rather fool people into thinking they're doing better than they are.

Throughout, his performance is never hammy. He plays this resilient boy in a way that indicates an innate intelligence. He seems to sense how down-and-out they are; you can read his fear, and even his occasional anger. He's not a sunny Pollyanna of a child, but he's not a cynic, either. It's as if he realizes that the only way to survive is to keep his head down and persevere.

He is, however, still a child. When his father, having just made a few bucks, offers him some candy, his first reaction is to deny himself. But like an ordinary kid, he quickly changes his mind and takes the candy. The way he communicates this acceptance of his lot is low-key and subtle, revealing an acting finesse that many far older actors don't manage.

What's next: Nothing announced as yet.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2...ars-jaden_x.htm

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thought this was interesting, there's also been some "For Your Consideration" ads floating around to nominate Will for Best Actor, and Jaden for Best Supporting Actor...while I doubt he'll get an Oscar nod I think it's cool people recognize his acting skills. I think he may have a good chance for the Critic's Choice Award (Best Youth Actor Male) that he's up for....Dakota Fanning won (for I Am Sam) in the Female category the same year Will was up for Ali.

Edited December 22, 2006 by MissAshley

[Guest Guest_JumpinJack AJ_*]

Thanx 4 posting that...very cute and very accurate.

[Jonny 5]

cheers for that Ash