Acting

Here’s some guys and gals I feel are operating at the top of their game. They might not be pumping out films like Indie icons Steve Buscemi and Parker Posey, but their work is exceptional in every way.

5) Allesandro Nivola - Broke onto the scene playing Nic Cage’s little bro Pollux Troy in Face/Off. Has done mainstream fare like Jurassic Park III and most recently starred alongside Jessica Alba in The Eye. However, Allesandro shines when he dons the indie garb. Give him a quality character and he’ll run with it.

Essential viewing: I Want You, Best Laid Plans, Laurel Canyon, Junebug

Best role: Rock-star lothario Ian McKnight in Lisa Cholodenko’s superb Laurel Canyon. Holds his own next to Frances McDormand and showcases a credible singing voice.

4) Joesph Gordon-Levitt - The 27 year old cut his teeth as Tommy Solomon, alien genius disguised as a teenager, on TV’s “3rd Rock from the Sun.” He’s come a long way since those days. Unafraid to bare his soul, Gordon-Levitt has carved out a solid niche in independent cinema. Those days may unfortunately be ending as upcoming projects include GI Joe and Akira.

Essential viewing: Manic, Mysterious Skin, Brick, The Lookout

Best role: Tortured gay hustler Neil McCormick in Greg Araki’s powerful Mysterious Skin. Sheds all inhibitions playing a self-destructive teen haunted by sexual abuse.

3) Lili Taylor - I first noticed Lili Taylor stealing scenes as John Cusack’s best friend Corey in Say Anything. Her resume since then is chock full of memorable performances. She nails comedy, drama, and crazy with ease. A couple Emmy nominations for HBO’s “Six Feet Under” and an Independent Spirit Award are deserving accolades.

Essential viewing: Dogfight, Short Cuts, Household Saints, I Shot Andy Warhol, High Fidelity

Best role: Crazed feminist-Nazi Valerie Jean Solanas in Mary Harron’s I Shot Andy Warhol. A truly scary portrayal, Taylor embodies the spirit of the man-hating radical whose claim to fame was the attempted assassination of Andy Warhol.

2) Peter Sarsgaard - Often referred to as a young John Malkovich, Sarsgaard has built an incredible body of work in a very short period of time. Known for selecting off-beat parts in smaller films and delivering stand-out performances it seems likely an Oscar is in his future.

Essential viewing: Boys Don’t Cry, Center of the World, The Salton Sea, Shattered Glass, Kinsey

Best role: Murderer/rapist John Lotter in Kimberly Peirce’s stunning Boys Don’t Cry. His frightening turn as a raging homophobe is not to be missed.

1) Patricia Clarkson - Got her start playing opposite Kevin Costner in The Untouchables and Clint Eastwood in The Dead Pool. Twenty years later she continues to impress playing disparate, often scarred women from drug addicts, to housewives, to hippies. This slender, deep-voiced talent grows more beautiful with age.

Essential viewing: High Art, The Safety of Objects, Far From Heaven, Pieces of April, All the Real Girls

Best role: Bitter, laconic dope fiend Greta in Lisa Cholodenko’s High Art. One of the most realistic strung-out characters I’ve ever seen.