Standout Performances By Female Actors in a Supporting Role

7. Frances McDormand, “Promised Land”

McDormand brings her lovable Everywoman quality to Sue Thomason, a natural gas company representative sent to a small town to convince farmers to sign over land rights. McDormand shares a funny, natural chemistry with Matt Damon, who plays her partner in crime, and her matter-of-fact nature makes a nice sounding board for his doubts about their chosen line of work. Though she’s one tough cookie, sweet scenes with Titus Welliver as a local who takes a shine to Sue and Skype conversations with her son bring a human element to the character, and McDormand is able to convey so much with those expressive eyes.