Fairfield County's Plummer Up for Oscar Sunday

WESTON, Conn. – It’s pretty clear where most of Weston will be Sunday night: cheering on their hometown hero, Christopher Plummer, who is one of the contenders in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards.

“I think he’s a marvelous man and a marvelous actor; I hope he gets it,” said Weston resident Andrew Nielly.

In the film “Beginners,” Plummer plays Hal Fields, a widower who comes out of the closet to his son shortly after his wife passes away. He shares the screen with Ewan McGregor. In the Best Supporting Actor category, Plummer is up against Kenneth Branagh in “My Week With Marilyn,” Jonah Hill in “Moneyball,” Nick Nolte in “Warrior” and Max Von Sydow in “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.”

This is Plummer’s second nomination. His first was two years ago for his role as Leo Tolstoy in the film “The Last Station.”

“He’s an important part of Weston and has done a lot of wonderful things in town over the years. I never met him, but I have admired him all these years,” Nielly said.

Although local artist Peter Lang didn’t know Plummer was nominated, he was proud of the Weston resident. “I think he’s a great actor.”

The Canadian-born actor, who has been a longtime Weston resident, already has won a Golden Globe Award and Critics Choice Award for his role in the Mike Mills film. He also is up for the BAFTA, Screen Actors and Independent Spirit awards.

“I think everyone here is proud of him, and we are all rooting for him. He’s such a nice man, he keeps to himself and we all respect that. I didn’t see the film yet, but it’s on my list,” said Sarah Cales. “I have seen a lot of his work, and he really deserves to win.”

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