Michael Shannon plays John Givings, a young man confined to a mental institution whose dinner with his parents' friends unleashes his relentless propensity for telling the truth.

This is Michael Shannon's first Academy Award Oscar nomination.

The film version of the 1961 Richard Yates novel, "Revolutionary Road is a portrait of a mid-1950s marriage built on sticks, straw and delusion. Frank and April Wheeler live a life of suburban plenty that seems on its surface to represent the essence of the post-World War II American dream.

In reality, however, the pair are haunted by the thought that they have betrayed their dreams and are trapped in a conventional lifestyle that falls short of the bohemian existence they had imagined for themselves.

Michael Shannon plays the addled, electro-shocked son of the local real estate agent (Kathy Bates), and he's marvelous in a role -- a schematic role, to be sure -- that feels like a refugee from an Edward Albee play. He is the truth-teller, upsetting the suburban apple cart.

Shannon's wit and off-kilter intimidation tactics are put to exemplary use.

And then, following Shannon's second scene, the film slips into a methodical, slightly heavy rhythm, not helped by composer Thomas Newman's infernal recycling of a six-note piano theme that's enough to drive even the most ardent suburbanite out of town and into a loft somewhere.

Michael Shannon

MICHAEL SHANNON (John Givings) grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, and began his professional stage career in Chicago. His first acting role was in Winterset at the Illinois Theatre Center. Over the next several years, he continued working on the stage with such companies as Steppenwolf, The Next Lab and A Red Orchid Theatre. He subsequently relocated to London for a year, and performed on stage in London’s West End in such productions as “Woyzeck,” “Killer Joe” and “Bug.”

While in Chicago, Shannon also kept busy in front of movie and television cameras, most notably in William Friedkin’s BUG and Oliver Stone’s WORLD TRADE CENTER. KANGAROO JACK (2003) marked the third Jerry Bruckheimer production in which Shannon has appeared. He also appeared in BAD BOYS II (2003), directed by Michael Bay and starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and in GRAND THEFT PARSONS (2003), with Johnny Knoxville and Christina Applegate.

He has most recently been seen in SHOTGUN STORIES, in Sidney Lumet’s BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman, Albert Finney and Ethan Hawke and in Curtin Hanson’s LUCKY YOU. His latest films include Noah Buschel’s THE MISSING PERSON, Oliver Stone’s controversial W and THE GREATEST with Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan. Finally, Michael will be working with Werner Herzog on the remake of THE BAD LT. before reuniting with the New York director of “Bug” for the New York production of “Lady.”

His many other credits include THE WOODSMAN, PEARL HARBOR, VANILLA SKY, 8 MILE, HIGH CRIMES, CECIL B. DEMENTED, TIGERLAND and CHICAGO CAB, an adaptation of the long-running play, “Hellcab.”

2009 Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nominations
81st Academy Awards 2009 Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nominations

Josh Brolin as Dan White in the movie "Milk"

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This is the first Academy Award Oscar nomination for Josh Brolin

Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus in the movie "Tropic Thunder"

As Kirk Lazarus, Robert Downey Jr. plays a white Australian actor who has immersed himself completely in his latest role as an African-American soldier.

This is his 2nd Academy Award nomination for Robert Downey Jr. and the first in this category. Robert Downey Jr. was Oscar nominated for his leading role in Chaplin (1992).

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Father Brendan Flynn in the movie "Doubt"

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Father Brendan Flynn, a progressive priest in a 1960s Bronx school who is suspected by its head nun of improper relations with a student.

This is Philip Seymour Hoffman's third Academy Award nomination and the second in this category. Philip Seymour Hoffman won an Oscar for his leading role in Capote (2005) and was Oscar nominated last year for his supporting role in Charlie Wilson's War.

Heath Ledger as the Joker in the movie "The Dark Knight"

Heath Ledger portrays the Joker, a psychopathic criminal mastermind who will stop at nothing in his scheme to outwit and humiliate Batman.

This is Heath Ledger's second Academy Award nomination and the first in this category. Heath Ledger was nominated for his leading role in Brokeback Mountain (2005). This Oscar nomination is posthumous, as he died January 22, 2008.