Oscars 2012: Best Actor
The beating heart of the Oscar race now is almost always in the Best Actor category. The only category that gives it a tiny bit of heat is the Director category, where generally the visionary leads the way. But some years, like this one, the Best Actor seems to be leading the charge. Let’s just go ahead and call 2012 what it is: a predictable, lackluster year. The problem: the more visionary fare was too hot to touch for the industry, and the more mainstream hits couldn’t find a place amid the sap. Of course, the industry and the Academy aren’t here to put on a reality show or to entertain us. One hopes that suspense builds but sometimes it doesn’t. And so, the “It’s been The Artist since Cannes” paradigm is playing out. Some of us are just closing our eyes and waiting for it all to be over. Nothing to take away from how great The Artist is but it always seemed like there might be another movie that would come and take its place. The Descendants and Hugo are still the only viable alternatives, but most people who aren’t inclined to reward the directors who’ve put the most in for their careers thus far, Allen, Payne, Scorsese, Malick, will vote with their hearts and go Artist all the way. But someday we’ll probably look back on this year and marvel at how an unknown French director beat those cinematic icons, just as they will look back on last year and likewise remain awed that Tom Hooper got the better of Fincher, Aronofsky, Russell and the Coens. The key formula: universal story + Academy-friendly structure + Weinstein Co = Best Picture frontrunner. And so it goes.
This isn’t the fault of The Artist. It was its own movie before it became a Weinstein film. It’s just that they knew a good thing when they saw it and they ran with it. This is no different from Fox Searchlight picking up Slumdog Millionaire. What The Artist is lacking, though, is … the money. Not that they went for money this year. Only The Help has that one covered. The Descendants and Moneyball are two modest hits, as is War Horse (it’s getting there). They’re all making money without Oscar’s help. Only The Artist stands to gain, really, by its award attention. The missing tooth here is Dragon Tattoo, as it barrels towards $100 mil. With broad industry support, a fierce leading female performance and arguably the greatest director working in Hollywood today, there’s something rotten in Denmark when Dragon Tattoo gets shut out and in its place half-baked sentimentality that passes for actual filmmaking. ”It won’t do.” And then there was Harry Potter, way better than at least three of the Best Picture nominees, totally shut out too. But enough of that.
Let’s dive into Best Actor, which many believe has wiggle room. I don’t think so. When an unknown like Dujardin wins the SAG that is a huge deal. The SAG usually awards the more popular stars — and it’s almost always the best predictor of the Oscars. Not always but usually. George Clooney and Jean Dujardin have been against each other only once – with the Critics Choice award where Clooney won. Clooney won the Globe but so did DuJardin. Their biggest contest so far has been the 100,000 SAG voters. So, people have been formulating a split vote theory on that but in my opinion, it’s not valid in this case except in the way that Pitt and Clooney are dwelling in similar territory both in real life and the characters they play on screen.
I don’t see anyone beating DuJardin. Looking at the chart below, it’s most common for there to be a clean line from SAG to Oscar. Something dramatic would have to happen to derail it, like what happened with Russell Crowe in 2002. Thing is, back when the Oscars were held in March there was time for things to change. Now, though, you have to see the Oscar race like the Titanic. It is too big and too heavy now, the momentum too strong, to turn in time to miss the iceberg. There isn’t enough time to make anything change much. Everyone thinks, sees movies and votes at the same time. That is why the Oscar race is so predictable now. It didn’t used to be as predictable, as you can see below. Around 2003, I think, they changed the date. I have been blogging the Oscars at least that long so I remember how different things used to be. But it all happens fast, much too fast now. So what you see is what you’re likely to get but for every once in a great while.
But for the fun of it, let’s look at each Best Actor and see where the heat is.
Jean DuJardin
Why he’s winning: He carries The Artist, the entire film, on his face and with his body. No working actor would look at that performance and not be gobsmacked by it. Few actors, actually, could have pulled it off. What makes it so remarkable is not that he can communicate the story to us, but how many shades of emotion he communicates. He does it all with no words spoken. It’s easy to think it’s just mugging for the camera but in fact it isn’t. A silent performance will separate those who mug from those who don’t. And though there are plenty of muggers in The Artist, DuJardin isn’t one of them. He is speaking and communicating a universal language in The Artist, not relying on dialogue at all but digging down deep into that character. Of course, when need be, he can play the mugger. It is a fine, fine performance and the fact that the SAG voters saw that, even when most were expecting George Clooney or Brad Pitt, much bigger stars, to take the award is rather stunning, I must say.
Why he isn’t winning: He is winning, but for the sake of it, let’s pretend he isn’t. He wouldn’t win simply because of Artist fatigue. Since it’s been the frontrunner since May, and since no other movie came along to challenge it, there it sits. DuJardin is someone audiences are just now discovering and the great surprise of The Artist. Where Michel Hazanavicius seems slightly irritated by the dog and pony show of Oscar, and gracious Berenice Bejo is doing what’s required of her, it’s DuJardin who is the true discovery here. So my negative case isn’t working so well. Let’s try this again. Okay, so he won’t win because people might feel like finally rewarding Gary Oldman for such a brilliant career, or they might want to reward Clooney for his own successful year and greatly moving performance in The Descendants. Or it might finally be Brad Pitt’s year. Or the surprise dark horse could pull in a win – whose performance is, ultimately, more moving than Demian Bichir’s in A Better Life?
George Clooney, The Descendants
Why he is winning – what a tremendous, real, touching, raw performance by Clooney. For a guy who always has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, for someone who truly is more comfortable playing oddballs (Burn After Reading is one of his best) or handsome smoothies (Oceans 11) he really strips it down in The Descendants. He does this not just in the scenes where he is required to cry — that scene alone could win him an Oscar, but the scenes where he must try to find a way to talk to his daughters. Though he’s never been a parent, Clooney somehow knows how hard it is sometimes to be there without being intrusive, to answer questions without saying too much. It is easily his best performance to date and one of the best of the year.
Why he isn’t winning: Je ne sais pas mais Je sais.
Brad Pitt, Moneyball
Why he is winning – Pitt gets credit this year not just for his really touching and quite brilliant performance but because he was the thing that kept Moneyball going. He was the driving force behind getting it made, even when it looked like it wouldn’t. Comfortable in his own skin, maturing as an older man at last, Pitt owns Moneyball. In a different year, he would win the race easily. But this year, the competition is too intense.
Why he won’t: Bah oui, mes amies. Jean DuJardin stands out because Pitt and Clooney may be too alike.
Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Why he is winning – because he’s never even been nominated for an Oscar before, despite a brilliant career up to now. Because he’s in a film that was hugely supported by the British members in the AMPAS, the smart ones anyway. Because he gives a layered, richly drawn, unforgettable performance in the film. Because he’s one of the nicest fellows there is.
Why he won’t: Not starring in a Best Picture nominee and Jean DuJardin to contend with. Then again, if all of the awards split up, you never know, Oldman could take it.
Demian Bichir, A Better Life
Why he’ll win: If I were staring at a ballot I’d have a hard time not awarding Bichir. Something in me likes to fight for the underdog but moreover, other than maybe Clooney, who made me sob hideously in The Descendants, Bichir gave the most moving performance of the bunch. He has one “Oscar scene” that kind of blows the other acting nominees clear out of the water. Seeing him take Best Actor in a shocker move would be one for the ages.
Why he won’t: for every reason you could come up with.
**Note how on the below charts things were easier to shake up before they changed the date, around 2003.
Comparison Chart
Globes – SAG – Oscar
George Clooney/Jean DuJardin Jean DuJardin Meryl Streep/Michelle Williams Viola Davis Octavia Spencer Octavia Spencer Christopher Plummer Christopher Plummer 2009
Jeff Bridges/Robert Downey, Jr. Jeff Bridges Jeff Bridges Sandra Bullock/Meryl Streep Sandra Bullock Sandra Bullock Mo’Nique Mo’Nique Mo’Nique Christoph Waltz Christoph Waltz Christoph Waltz 2008
Mickey Rourke/Colin Farrell Sean Penn Sean Penn Kate Winslet/Sally Hawkins Meryl Streep Kate Winslet Kate Winslet Kate Winslet Penelope Cruz Heath Ledger Heath Ledger Heath Ledger 2007
Daniel Day Lewis Daniel Day Lewis Daniel Day Lewis Julie Christie/Marion Cotillard Julie Christie Marion Cotillard Javier Bardem Javier Bardem Javier Bardem Cate Blanchett Ruby Dee Tilda Swinton 2006
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Helen Mirren Helen Mirren Helen Mirren Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Hudson Eddie Murphy Eddie Murphy Alan Arkin Babel/Dreamgirls Little Miss Sunshine The Departed 2005
Philip Seymour Hoffman/Joaquin Phoenix Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman/Joaquin Phoenix Reese Witherspoon/Felicity Huffman Reese Witherspoon Reese Witherspoon/Felicity Huffman Rachel Weisz Rachel Weisz Rachel Weisz George Clooney Paul Giamatti George Clooney Brokeback/Walk the Line Crash Crash 2004
Leonardo DiCap/Jamie Foxx Jamie Foxx Jamie Fox Hilary Swank Hilary Swank Hilary Swank Natalie Portman Cate Blanchett Cate Blanchett Clive Owen Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman Aviator/Sideways Sideways MDB 2003
Sean Penn Johnny Depp Sean Penn Charlize Theron Charlize Theron Charlize Theron Renee Zellweger Renee Zellweger Renee Zellweger Tim Robbins Tim Robbins Tim Robbins ROTK ROTK ROTK 2002
Jack Nicholson Daniel Day Lewis Adrien Brody Nicole Kidman/Zellweger Renee Zellweger Nicole Kidman Meryl Streep Catherine Zeta-Jones Catherine Zeta-Jones Chris Cooper Chris Walken Chris Cooper The Hours/Chicago Chicago Chicago 2001
Russell Crowe Russell Crowe Denzel Washington Sissy Spacek Halle Berry Halle Berry Jennifer Connelly Helen Mirren Jennifer Connelly Jim Broadbent Ian McKellen Jim Broadbent A Beautiful Mind (Moulin Rouge) Gosford Park (ensemble) A Beautiful Mind 2000
Tom Hanks Benicio Del Toro Russell Crowe Julia Roberts Julia Roberts Julia Roberts Kate Hudson Judi Dench Marcia Gay Harden Benicio Del Toro Albert Finney Benicio Del Toro Gladiator (Almost Famous) Traffic Gladiator 1999
Denzel Washington Kevin Spacey Kevin Spacey Hilary Swank Annette Bening Hilary Swank Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie Tom Cruise Michael Caine Michael Caine American Beauty American Beauty American Beauty 1998
Jim Carrey (Michael Caine) Roberto Benigni Roberto Benigni Gwyneth Paltrow (Cate Blanchett) Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow Lynn Redgrave Kathy Bates Judi Dench Ed Harris Robert Duvall James Coburn Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love 1997
Jack Nicholson (Peter Fonda) Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson Helen Hunt (Judi Dench) Helen Hunt Helen Hunt Kim Basinger Kim Basinger (and Gloria Stewart) Kim Basinger Burt Reynolds Robin Williams Robin Williams Titanic The Full Monty Titanic 1996
Geoffrey Rush (Tom Cruise) Geoffrey Rush Geoffrey Rush Brenda Blethyn (Madonna) Frances McDormand Frances McDormand Lauren Bacall Lauren Bacall Juliette Binoche Ed Norton Cuba Gooding, Jr. Cuba Gooding, Jr. The English Patient (Evita) The Birdcage The English Patient 1995
Nicolas Cage (John Travolta) Nicolas Cage Nicolas Cage Sharon Stone (Nicole Kidman) Susan Sarandon Susan Sarandon Mira Sorvino Kate Winslet Mira Sorvino Brad Pitt Ed Harris Kevin Spacey Sense & Sensibility (Babe) Apollo 13 Braveheart 1994
Tom Hanks (Hugh Grant) Tom Hanks Tom Hanks Jessica Lange (Jamie Lee Curtis) Jodie Foster Jessica Lange Dianne Wiest Diane Wiest Dianne Wiest Martin Landau Ed Harris Martin Landau Forrest Gump Forrest Gump
1993
Globes —> Oscar only
Tom Hanks Tom Hanks Holly Hunter Holly Hunter Winona Ryder Anna Paquin Tommy Lee Jones Tommy Lee Jones Schindler’s List Schindler’s List 1992
Al Pacino Al Pacino Emma Thompson Emma Thompson Joan Plowright Marisa Tomei Gene Hackman Gene Hackman Scent of a Woman Unforgiven 1991
Nick Nolte Anthony Hopkins Jodie Foster Jodie Foster Mercedes Ruehl Mercedes Ruehl Jack Palance Jack Palance Bugsy Silence of the Lambs 1990
Jeremy Irons Jeremy Irons Kathy Bates Kathy Bates Whoopi Goldberg Whoopi Goldberg Bruce Davidson Joe Pesci Dances with Wolves Dances with Wolves 1989
Tom Cruise Daniel Day Lewis Jessica Tandy m/c Jessica Tandy Julia Roberts Brenda Fricker Denzel Washington Denzel Washington Born 4th July – Driving Miss Daisy m/c Driving Miss Daisy 1988
Tom Cruise Dustin Hoffman Jodie Foster/Shirley MacLaine/Sigourney Weaver Jodie Foster Sigourney Weaver Geena Davis Martin Landau Kevin Kline Rain Man Rain Man 1987
Michael Douglas Michael Douglas Cher (comedy) Cher Olympia Dukakis Olympia Dukakis Sean Connery Sean Connery The Last Emperor The Last Emperor 1986
Bob Hoskins Paul Nemwan Marlee Matlin/Sissy Spacek (comedy) Marlee Matlin Maggie Smith Dianne Wiest Bob Hoskins Michael Caine Platoon Platoon 1985
Jon Voight (Jack Nicholson) William Hurt Whoopi Goldberg (Kathleen Turner) Geraldine Page Meg Tilly Anjelica Huston Klaus Maria Brandauer Don Amiche Out of Africa (Prizzi’s Honor) Out of Africa 1984
F. Murray Abraham F. Murray Abraham Sally Field Sally Field Peggy Ashcroft Peggy Ashcroft Haing S. Ngor Haing S. Ngor Amadeus Amadeus 1983
Tom Courtenay /Robert Duvall (tie) (Michael Caine) Robert Duvall Shirley MacLaine Shirley MacLaine Cher Linda Hunt Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson Terms of Endearment/Yentyl Terms of Endearment/Yentyl 1982
Ben Kingsley (Dustin Hoffman) Ben Kingsley Meryl Streep Meryl Streep Jessica Lange Jessica Lange Louis Gossett Louis Gossett E.T./Tootsie Gandhi 1981
Henry Fonda Henry Fonda Meryl Streep Katharine Hepburn Joan Hackett Maureen Stapleton John Gielgud John Gielgud On Golden Pond Chariots of Fire 1980
Robert De Niro Robert De Niro Mary Tyler Moore (Sissy Spacek) Sissy Spacek Mary Steenburgen Mary Steenburgen Timothy Hutton Timothy Hutton Ordinary People Ordinary People 1979
Dustin Hoffman (Peter Sellers) Dustin Hoffman Sally Field (Bette Midler) Sally Field Meryl Streep Meryl Streep Melvin Douglas/Robert Duvall (tie) Melvin Douglas Kramer vs. Kramer (Breaking Away) Kramer Vs. Kramer 1978
Jon Voight (Warren Beatty) Jon Voight Jane Fonda (Ellen Burstyn/Maggie Smith tie) Jane Fonda Dyan Cannon Maggie Smith John Hurt Christopher Walken Midnight Express (Heaven Can Wait) The Deer Hunter 1977
Richard Burton (Richard Dreyfuss) Richard Dreyfuss Jane Fonda (Diane Keaton/Marsha Mason) Diane Keaton Vanessa Redgrave Vanessa Redgrave Peter Firth Jason Robards The Turning Point (Goodbye Girl) Annie Hall 1976
Peter Finch (Kris Kristofferson) Peter Finch Faye Dunaway (Barbra Streisand) Faye Dunaway Katherine Ross Beatrice Straight Lawrence Olivier Jason Robards Rocky (A Star is Born) Rocky 1975
Jack Nicholson Jack Nicholson Louise Fletcher Louise Fletcher Brenda Vacarro Lee Grant Richard Benjamin George Burns One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest 1974
James Caan (Art Carney) Art Carney Gena Rowlands Ellen Burstyn Karen Black Ingrid Bergman Fred Astaire Robert De Niro Chinatown Godfather II 1973
Al Pacino (George Segal) Jack Lemmon Marsha Mason (Glenda Jackson) Glenda Jackson Linda Blair Tatum O’Neal John Houseman John Houseman The Exorcist The Sting 1972
Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Liv Ullman (Liza Minnelli) Liza Minnelli Shelly Winters Eileen Heckart Joel Grey Joel Grey The Godfather (Cabaret) The Godfather 1971
Gene Hackman Gene Hackman Jane Fonda Jane Fonda Ann-Margret Cloris Leachman Ben Johnson Ben Johnson The French Connection French Connection 1970
George C. Scott George C. Scott Ali MacGraw Glenda Jackson Karen Black/Maureen Stapleton (tie) Helen Hayes John Mills John Mills Love Story Patton
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And they all look just the same…
“The problem: the more visionary fare was too hot to touch for the industry, and the more mainstream hits couldn’t find a place amid the sap.”
Gee, it’s almost as if your favourite film of the year wasn’t nominated for 11 Academy Awards.
On another note, seeing them all lined up like that — that’s one mighty dapper Best Actor group.
For someone who laments the lack of interesting topics this season, Sasha writes a lot of good stuff…
Boy, I only had Pitt in my top five, although I did like all the men above. Sorry DiCaprio. Better luck with the tigers.
I finally saw “The Artist” this weekend. I understand why voters will go for this film. 75% of the Academy voters are actors, and many can identify with a character whose limelight has been taken away. It’s a universal theme. Oscar voters love a character who overcomes something (“The King’s Speech”), or perseveres over the odds (“Slumdog Millionaire”). I don’t expect “The Artist” to win more than 4-5 Awards (Picture, Directing, Actor, Editing and Score). Actors vote for Directors who yield to performance, not those who defer to visuals. Fincher may win his Oscar one day, like Scorsese did, but Hitchcock never won, and he’s revered by historians far more than his contemporaries who collected several Oscars for good movies. Hitchcock’s films are iconic, and history should be favorable to Fincher if he continues at his current pace.
Re: “the unknown French director” beating directing icons. You can’t have it both ways with the Oscars — either you want it to be ‘lifetime achievement’ tinged, or you want to reward the actual best of that year. There are probably a lot more cases in Academy history of a sentimental or overdue winner beating the person who actually did the better directing job or gave the better performance. It’s disingenuous to criticize the Academy for overlooking a smaller name and then turn around and complain since Hooper/Hazanavicius are beating more well-known figures.
If I had to vote out of this five, I’d go with either Dujardin or Pitt.
Good group. JdJ will be one of 6 or 7 for The Artist.
I understand why voters will go for this film. 75% of the Academy voters are actors, and many can identify with a character whose limelight has been taken away.
Not only that — what actor wouldn’t envy James Crowmwell? earning a sweet paycheck for learning no lines, wandering around in the background frowning and allowing his shoulders to droop for several minutes. Good gig!
I see you’re still trolling arround, Ryan. Good, good for you.
I will repeat myself: it’s so cool that we no longer live in a world where Gary Oldman never got an Oscar nomination. Hope he pull a surprise in the cerimony, and gets the Oscar.
And Bichir nomination will bring some attention, very deserved, to a bright actor like him.
I didn’t know you spoke French, Sasha.
As for this category, I think Dujardin will get it. I originally predicted Clooney but if the Academy really likes this film, then it will win a lot in a couple of weeks.
The Artist will probably win 4-5 Oscars (sigh) but I still believe George Clooney will win. He’s the likely Hollywood name to win. It would be so cool if Gary Oldman won. I have not seen his movie, but I have a feeling his performance was the best of the 5. Oh well, it’s Oscar.
I figured Clooney was the front runner until SAG, and i wonder if AMPAS members, who are aware of all the talk about The Artist as the front runner to sweep (since PGA,DGA) will consider apportioning the love, and a predominance of folk thinking about the Descendants, and giving George the film’s reward. It would place him in a very exclusive group who have won both support and lead, but he is much admired. I think it is the category with some heat. I don’t see the other three really getting past the Frenchman and the Cloonster.
Sasha, you really neglect to mention that Clooney is up for The Ides of March script. How many actors who have ever been up for multiple Oscars during a single ceremony (not counting having produced Best Picture) have gone home empty-handed? There’s Warren Beatty the year of Heaven Can Wait, but how could that win anything? There’s Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore, and Cate Blanchett. I can’t think of any others.
Since Gary Oldman is the only one who knows how to look straight ahead, he should definitely take it. lol
@Zach: Pacino in ’92 for Glengarry Glen Ross and Scent of a Woman. Deserved them both and the only reason he gets a bad rap for Scent is because it falls short of The Godfather/Serpico/Dog Day. He earned it.
@Zach Beatty got nailed twice – Bonnie and Clyde is happened, as well. Had he not taken best Dir for Reds, it would have been a triple bitch slap.
“There’s Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore, and Cate Blanchett. I can’t think of any others.”
There’s also Emma Thomson and Greta Garbo.
DuJardin will win the votes of all Academy members who voted for Roberto Benigni. That said, I think DuJardin is infinitely more deserving than Benigni. Sacha’s comments are well taken. My own vote would probably go to Brad Pitt.
“is happened” ?
and Bugsy, so it was a triple. He’s been nominated so many times, often in the same year, and gone home with one.
First of all, thank you to Ryan for that lovely shout out in another thread! Having computer problems. ALWAYS. And I’d write something LONG and then it would disappear when I hit “Submit.” Great piece, Sasha! And you say you have nothing to write about this season! But WHAT a great piece!!!
And that PICTURE!!! Clooney is looking ill…He looks dejected. His shoulders slumping…He looks like he’s already lost and he knows it.
Does he NEED another Oscar? HE HAS ONE! And SAG has never awarded him. I guess they don’t like him, they just don’t like him, to paraphrase Albert Brooks…
Yes, it’s JDJ for the win! And how difficult to do what he did WITHOUT WORDS!?!? And carry that whole film and pull the whole thing off to wow the world.
And I don’t think this is a boring year at all! And one of the main reasons is Sasha’s wonderful writing!!!! And she said there was nothing to write about! YIKES!
An upset in Gary Oldman’s favor would make the entire ceremony for me.
Jean Dujardin is my favorite for the win because he is so sexy.
That’s it.
The race is definitely between Clooney and Dujardin, though personally I’d like to see Pitt get it for his nuanced performance.
Clooney would be a worthy winner as well, but Sasha is right when she states that him and Pitt are probably splitting their vote due to their similar status in the industry. Dujardin’s role is a tad on the ‘muggy’ side for my tastes, though somebody made a good point in believing other actors could have played Clooney’s role and made it successful, but how many would have done as good a job as Dujardin in making The Artist a hit?
I don’t see how Dujardin can lose.
It’s a multilayered performance that is built for Oscar.
yup, it’s Dujardin vs Clooney. But if ever Dujardin doesnt win here, i hope brad pitt would take it, clooney already has an oscar.
Clooney – let’s hope he loses to Dujardin or Pitt (Clooney is a good actor but surely not for TWO Academy Awards – and he already has one so…)
That has to be one of the best looking lineups in Oscar history! *sigh*
Frankly, as long as Clooney doesn’t win, I’ll be happy. And I say this as someone who likes him a lot as an actor.
Sasha, what would you say was Bichir’s one ‘Oscar scene’? I was impressed by his performance, but can’t recall any particular moments that leapt out as award-worthy.
I like Clooney and Pitt, but they were largely playing Clooney and Pitt, neither of them should’ve been nominated this year. Oldman was excellent, but the film has faded now, possibly because it was hugely over-rated. Dujardin was the most interesting performance I’ve seen (havent seen Bichir’s performance yet) and the most heartfelt. He isnt just winning because of the publicity machine, he’s winning because he was very possibly the best. Gosling should’ve been nominated for Drive and JGL for 50/50 over Clooney or Pitt. They are both getting into the category of having to do one good performance in a good film a year and it almost guarantees them an Oscar nomination. I’d rather see some of the performances in the less awards-fodder films getting recognition instead of the same names over and over.
Sigh.. seeing Sally Hawkin’s name in that chart is breaks my heart even to this very day. However, that the same group of actors somehow managed to nominate Demian Bichir does demonstrate a ton of class and independent-mindedness, and it’s a gesture that goes a long way in making the entire Academy look more credible.
I’ll be perfectly happy with Jean Dujardin winning the oscar, but Brad Pitt’s performance is easily my favorite of the bunch. His delivered such a quietly lived-in, exquisite character study of Billy Beane formed almost entirely out of reactionary, introspective moments. And seeing a person of such megawatt star power deliver such an exceptional performance is always a pleasant surprise.
First of all, I think ‘The Descendants’ is definitely more than a ‘modest hit’, it will EASILY end in the 160-180M range worldwide (could probably reach 200M, too), and it only cost 18M.
Second, although I do agree that Dujardin will probably win, I wouldn’t underestimate Clooney, who clearly has a bigger fanbase in the Academy than in the SAG… he did pull off an Oscar once without a SAG, why couldn’t he do it again ? Not to mention, if he isn’t the frontrunner, he is definitely a damn strong runner up based on precursors.
Plus, I think we should seriously consider the fact that the Academy embraced ‘The Tree of Life’ and the ones that so far hasn’t awarded Pitt – HFPA, BFCA, SAG, BAFTA – did NOT…that means the Malick-film has a great fanbase in the Academy, one that could EASILY go for Brad Pitt, and if he gets this extra push and we factor in the tiny fact that he IS an Oscarless three-time nominee movie star unlike Oscar-winner Clooney and relatively unknown first-time nominee Dujardin, and we might just have a case here, too. I think the fact that Pitt is the only one in the Best Actor race with TWO bp-nominees, might be crucial in the end.
I always remember that 20 years ago, Nick Nolte was the shoo-in for Best Actor in PRINCE OF TIDES. Then about a week before the Oscars, Anthony Hopkins won the BAFTA as Best Actor for SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and then went on to win the Oscar. Similarly, four years ago Cate Blanchett was the favorite to win Best Supporting Actress for I’M NOT THERE. Tilda Swinton hadn’t won any of the pre-Oscar awards, then, unexpectedly about two weeks before the Oscars she won the BAFTA for MICHAEL CLAYTON. She then went on to win the Oscar. I’ll pay close attention to Sunday’s BAFTA before making any final predictions.
When Nolte was the favorite because he won the GG and Hopkins didn’t, there were no SAG awards then. Hopkins would have won the SAG, believe me. The SAG is the best indicator of where the voters are heading–Dujardin for the win.
this is no predictable lackluster year. there is a still a race in the best actr category where it could go 3 ways. Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman or George Clooney. And the screenplay awards are won’t be predictable either. i wouldn’t be surprised if Hugo won for best adapted screenplay and the artist wins for original screenplay. As for best picture, The artist should be well deserved. i haven’t seen it yet. i’m seeing it on the 25th with the best picture showcase tickets that i received.
it’ s still viola davis vs. meryl streep in the best actress race, too.supporting categories are good and clear.
wow, Gary Oldman looks so young….
LOL
first – it’s probably a copy and paste thing or maybe I’m reading it wrong, but in 2005 there were only one winner in the Best Actor/Actress races at the Oscars (yeah again, PSH!)
second – as much as I adored the Artist and won’t all be sorry if it wins best picture, I’m going for George Clooney. Talk about transformations and showing range. Plus, isn’t he pretty popular in Hollywood? Dujardin was excellent but will AMPAS understand his talent translated into silent film acting? Pitt really was good but it wasn’t that much of a stretch, Bechir was very good but the film was small – in this case his nomination was the award.
And Gary Oldman? Did you hear him on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me? (on NPR)last weekend? Incredibly charming. It was such a thrill to hear a guy whose been making films for 28 years talk about enjoying every minute of the Oscar race. Never underestimate what a big deal these awards can be to people who have had very rewarding careers and gotten tons of recognition. He should win sometime – and it’s wonderful that he was nominated. I’m hopeful that he’s like Colin Firth and will have a visit or two to the party and will most deservedly win one year.
“Jean Dujardin is my favorite for the win because he is so sexy.”
and his role required the most talent. imagine clooney or pitt in that role, they would have stunk up the house
This is DILF central. Hello!!!
Once again the academy sucks. I really hope clooney doesn’t win. I saw the descendants and I’m not getting how great his performance was. That’d be great if Oldman got his due. But I know that won’t happen cuz the academy is still stuck in the past. I’m down with pitt pulling the win. I saw the artist and…if jean dujardin wins, fine, but it’ll be a one hit wonder deal and we prolly won’t see merging from him again, atleast not that good.
I’m sorry if I may sound rude but people need to realize how stupid it is to say something like “I can see Jean Dujardin nailed his performance in The Artist but George Clooney and Brad Pitt would stuck with that role.” That kind of thought is simply ridiculous… Do you know what the word “casting” mean at all? The producers and directors cast a actor/actress because they think he/she will do the best for that role based on his/her previous experiences or his/her audition. An actor/actress accepts the role because he/she loves it or thinks he/she can do the best. For the matter of fact, every single actor/actress prefers certain kind of role. They may try any types of roles but they definitely feel more comfortable in some specific types. Just think about Kate Winslet, she can do comedy just fine but she always shines through complex and dramatic roles like The Reader and she won an Oscar for that. Same rule applies to Clooney or Pitt. And for the matter of fact, you will never see Clooney or Pitt plays Dujardin’s role because Dujardin has already DONE (past tense) that. So please drop it. Just evaluate the performances based on whatever you really see WITH YOUR EYES, not IMAGINE IN YOUR FANTASY WORLD.
HIS NAME IS DAVID O. RUSSELL.
DAVID OWEN RUSSELL.
NOT DAVID O’RUSSELL.
Some of those winners in the past awards are incorrect.
For instance, Tom Berenger won the Globe for “Platoon”…not Bob Hoskins.
I just hope Clooney and Pitt don’t win. I was not at all impressed by their performance. And I can’t get the fuss about The Descendants either. It was an OK film, nothing special. For a moment, imagine this film with an unknown lead actor. I mean, would anybody be interested at all? As for me, I never would have watched it if I hadn’t known Clooney would cry in it. But it’s kinda annoying that that’s exactly why they had C. cry in the first place. The whole scene just shouts “for your consideration” and it spoils my catharsis.
As for Clooney, the same goes for his performance. If it was anybody else who pulled off the exact same performance, nobody would bother to watch it, let alone to nominate it for a best actor oscar.