Michael Caine plays a music composer nearing the end of his life in Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth. Caine and his co-star Harvey Keitel are answering some of life’s toughest questions as they head into the wilderness of old age that gives them precious few opportunities to create something. Is their best work behind them? Caine is a standout in a film of many performances and though he’s won two Oscars for supporting actor, Caine has never won for lead. That makes him a formidable contender not just for a nomination but for a win.
With his hard, lifeless stare, his committed menace, his rotten tooth and prosthetic pate, Johnny Depp is the performance to beat. As Whitey Bulger, Depp has enjoyed an unusual amount of publicity, from his “comeback” story, to Bulger protesting his cold-blooded portrayal. Depp disappears inside this menacing creature so that there isn’t any room left for his usual charm. Depp’s Bulger is a killer with a one-track mind. He slithers through his relationships, never attaching himself emotionally. He is in it for the power, no doubt, and there isn’t any room for common decency.
Michael Fassbender’s Steve Jobs is another brilliant turn by the versatile actor, this time playing the legendary asshole genius, Steve Jobs. If Mark Zuckerberg represented the early days of the social networking revolution, Jobs is Zuckerberg jacked up to 11, changing the way people use and buy computers, phones, and digital music. What kind of person has that kind of moxie? Ideas and ego — those two things must come in a blended cocktail inside the person’s brain. The ideas to get there and the ego to jam them through. Jobs puts nothing in front of his ideas, not his daughter, not his friendships. His confidence is off the charts. Steve Jobs is a movie about him getting a clue as to what life is really about just before we all know his cancer diagnosis is set arrive. The cancer will kill him. We know that too. But this isn’t that story. This is about the moment Jobs grew a heart. It’s a dazzler of a performance that feels like a continual punch to the stomach. Fassbender’s Jobs gives Depp’s Bulger a run for his money. Before the New York Film festival launches, it feels like it’s one of these for the win.
Eddie Redmayne is no doubt one of the strongest performers in The Danish Girl. But Redmayne won last year which puts his chances of winning way down the list. That shouldn’t stop him from getting recognition for his role as Lily, a transgender female, even if his co-star Alicia Vikander is getting almost as much acclaim, if not more, for her role.
If there is a fifth nominee at the moment prior to the upcoming festival films it would be Matt Damon in Ridley Scott’s best film in a long while, The Martian. It’s hard to remember a role better suited to Damon, or one he had that much room to express himself in so many different ways. The camera is right on him — he has to talk to his own video camera recording his experiences. He also comes face to face with possibly dying and even the funniest of quips can’t hold that at bay. Damon is just plain likable here, and though he doesn’t have that much of what voters seem to like in this category — torture and transformation — he nonetheless carries The Martian almost entirely.
Room will have to be made for Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant, coming at the end of the year. It is that kind of performance and will be that kind of movie. This is probably going to be Leo’s best chance to finally earn some recognition for his stellar career because he presumably goes way, way down deep and back out the other side in his quest for survival in the snowy wilderness. There is also Tom Hanks in Bridge of Spies. Hanks has won two Best Actor Oscars back to back. No one knows what kind of performance he’ll be turning in here, working with his friend Steven Spielberg for the fourth time in a feature film. He’ll be joined at the the New York Film fest by Joseph Gordon-Levitt equipped with a French accent and high-wire walking in The Walk. Later in the year, Will Smith for Concussion.
There are many other male performances of note. Tom Hardy in Legend, Abraham Atta in Beasts of No Nation, Tobey Maguire in Pawn Sacrifice — not to mention the performances that are arguably lead but will “go supporting,” like Jason Segel as David Foster Wallace in The End of the Tour, and Paul Dano as Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy.
Then there are the actors from Spotlight, like Mark Ruffalo who is kind of supporting but will likely run as lead so that Michael Keaton can run in the supporting category. Other performances like that include Benicio Del Toro in Sicario who will likely be supporting, and Harvey Keitel in Youth. The supporting race will be as competitive, if not more competitive, than lead.
The new Wall Street movie The Big Short also has lead Christian Bale, and supporting Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell. It will unfold at the AFI Film fest. There is also Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight which will have either lead male performances or supporting. It’s difficult to tell at the moment.
Most people will look at the race as a showdown between Leonardo DiCaprio in the Revenant vs. Johnny Depp in Black Mass vs. Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs vs. Michael Caine in Youth vs someone totally unpredictable. No doubt the conversation will mutate and evolve as the weeks and months reveal themselves.
Akumax 6 days ago
I’ve seen Cane, Deep and Fassbender, none of them deserve the nomination, let alone to win. Uninspiring performances in not good movies.
I read that as “I’ve seen Cane deep on Fassbender” and holy fuck, I didn’t dare to ask what kind of movie was that.
Well, J. Edgar’s makeup wasn’t nominated, so there’s hope yet. 😀
Hopefully Depp doesn’t happen. The makeup is AWFUL, and I’ve heard the movie is actually kinda bad, too. If I assume Depp fades away, and one other interesting thing happens, here’s my lineup.
Michael Caine/Michael Fassbender/Leonardo DiCaprio/Samuel L. Jackson/either Jacob Tremblay or Abraham Attah
I really think the Academy’s going to like the idea of nominating a kid in the category this year. I mean, they did it in Best Actress not that long ago. That movie started with “Beasts”, you’ll recall.
I know doubting Depp’s chances seems ridiculous right now. But it won’t by November, and I’m thinking ahead. See, BA is so strongly tied to BP that a fizzling movie like Black Mass will sink Depp’s chances. Caine will survive Youth not doing so hot by virtue of being Michael fucking Caine. but Steve Jobs, The Revenant, Hateful Eight, Room, and Beasts of No Nation are all good strong BP contenders. Black Mass is not.
Hopefully Depp doesn’t happen. The makeup is AWFUL…
You mean the soon-to-be Oscar-nominated make-up is AWFUL. :{
Hopefully Depp will win.
Just a Q for Chris Price – firstly, thanks for this exciting report on The Hateful Eight, which I’ve been rooting for all year, especially since some of the naysayers have been so damn arrogant about its Oscar hopes after reading a leaked first draft of the screenplay. Good to hear some love for the finished film. Secondly, can you tell us more about JJL’s role and performance? It seems like she’s definitely building legit Oscar buzz now and Supporting Actress is a very weak category this year… I wonder could she be our winner? There was a lot of grumbling that her role was underwritten and one-note in that first draft, but it seems like Tarantino has either heavily rewritten it or that Leigh has done wonders with the material, because this is the fourth or fifth time I’ve read her mentioned as the standout of the cast. Would love to hear more about your thoughts on her performance and her Oscar chances this year. Thanks. 🙂
Jordan & JH, if this (“Dano gave the best male acting performance of the year so far”) is true then he should win no matter what field he competes in. And if he’s to win an Oscar for it, why be “dumbfounded by the idea of him being campaigned as Supporting” over leading?
I’m still hoping there will be room for Ian McKellen’s performance in “Mr. Holmes”.
Two and 1/2 months after its release date, and it’s still playing in Portland! That is a great testament to word-of-mouth and how very good McKellen actually is in this movie.
Tarantino has does amazing, Oscar-worthy things with Jackson in the past (JACKIE BROWN, PULP FICTION, DJANGO UNCHAINED). I’d love for him to enter the race.
Hmmmm… hateful eight…They should just put Samuel l. Jackson in supporting. He has a better chance of being nominated that way. Apparently both him and JJL have the most screen time and are the standouts. I would def make slots for hateful eight to show somewhere.
They are doing the honorable thing and campaigning Tremblay in Lead.
He’s a child performer, so they could get away with a Supporting campaign, even though he has more screen time than Larson and the story’s told from his POV.
If Room is strong enough to get a BP nomination (which it should be), a Best Actor nomination could legitimately happen, even in Lead. He’s that strong and the movie is that affecting.
I’ve heard raves about young Jacob Tremblay of “Room”… anyone know if they are campaigning him as lead or supporting? He has to figure in the conversation at some point… esp. if Room continues to build momentum.
Jon, although the NYFF slot suggests otherwise, word of mouth is that SPC isn’t positioning Miles Ahead for a 2015 release or awards campaign. I suppose if it really breaks away at the festival they may change their mind on that–I think everyone would welcome a solid contender featuring a cast/crew from black filmmakers into the fold–but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
“A boring race this year… ”
That didn’t take long this year. Usually one has to wait ’till November for that comment to be posted.
I really, really super wanna see STONEWALL tonight but I am literally afraid to go.
Sasha I love you to pieces and have been posting about this for a few weeks. I know there isn’t any buzz YET but one of the most intriguing films debuting at the NYFF is Don Cheadle’s MILES AHEAD where he plays Miles Davis. I just don’t understand – if the film is good and Cheadle is as great as Cheadle usually is – how this performance does not take over the lead for Best Actor????? Cheadle has the perfect narrative – respected within the industry – has been nominated before, playing a musical legend, to EASILY win this. Plus it has Sony Pictures Classics distributing it.
I am guessing you are waiting until the film is actually seen to comment on it, but come on, with all due respect to Leo, Fassbender, Caine, etc. it just seems to me that Cheadle is the obvious horse potentially back in this race.
the best actress race is waaaaaay better this year. no one seems that excited about the male films, including me.
@JH: I agree, Dano gave the best male acting performance of the year so far and I am dumbfounded by the idea of him being campaigned as Supporting.
Chris, how was the 70mm photography? I may be clamoring to see that the most.
Best scene with Fassbender in “Steve Jobs” http://sh.st/bqEoh
I used the term “boring” to describe the Best Actor race this year because if Leo comes out at the end of the race and steamrolls a bunch of actors in “worthy” (but not great) films, in a category that’s been diluted because of category fraud, where’s the fun in that? … and what’s to prevent that from happening, except a total failure from THE REVENANT (hint, it won’t fail).
This really feels like a year when critics are going to be supporting left-field choices (e.g. Géza Röhrig from SON OF SAUL), because none of the pre-anointed contenders are that strong (I say this having seen almost all of the fall films that have screened thus far… HATEFUL EIGHT and BEASTS OF NO NATION excepted).
Paul Dano clearly gave the best Leading Male performance of the year to me thus far, for what it’s worth. It bugs me that he’s being campaigned in Supporting, killing the chances of great performances that are truly Supporting (e.g. Ben Vereen in TIME OUT OF MIND).
(Just testing this emoji face) 😛
Can’t sleep :o(
THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL–So people who say “the 80’s sucked” actually checked or really haven’t seen the movies. An unremitting yet subdued fortitude. Delightfulness sustained throughout. ★★★½ (B)
I’ve seen Cane, Deep and Fassbender, none of them deserve the nomination, let alone to win. Uninspiring performances in not good movies.
Shorter amount of contenders here than in previous years. Best Picture race looks the opposite.
Hmm… I see potential for…
Samuel L. Jackson for THE HATEFUL EIGHT*
Abraham Atta for BEASTS OF NO NATION
Don Cheadle for MILES AHEAD*
Michael B. Jordan for CREED
Will Smith for CONCUSSION*
Benicio Del Toro for SICARIO**
Idris Elba for BEASTS OF NO NATION
Jason Mitchell for STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
Demian Bichir for THE HATEFUL EIGHT*
Edgar Ramirez for JOY ?
Anthony Mackie for OUR BRAND IS CRISIS ?
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje for CONCUSSION ?
I have no idea who’s who in THE ASSASSIN, so don’t even start. 😛
* previous nominee
**previous winner
Sadly Depp doesn’t deserve the award this year, his performance is fine, but Best Actor? Gimme a break. Fassbender has been the best one by far of all the contenders I’ve seen thus far this year. Very weak year and Leo’s to lose, unless The Revenant becomes an utterly disastrous movie.
This race is FAR from boring – I find this year, more so than many before, to be incredibly exciting….like there’s been a shot in the arm given to movies this year!
Ruffalo and Keaton should both run supporting. I don’t see one more lead than the other. And if they ran in lead, they wouldn’t be able to compete with stars that are true leads of their movies.
“A boring race this year…no performance thus far demands to be rewarded.”
If there was a performance that demanded to be rewarded, and was rewarded a lot, then many people would say it’s a boring race.
😉
Personally, I just don’t see happening. I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see a snub. Having not yet seen Steve Jobs, I can’t comment on Fassbender – although I love his work. The fact that he won’t campaign doesn’t help though. I also can’t seem to wrap my head around 3 time Academy Award Winner Michael Caine….just doesn’t seem plausible!
As far as Depp’s performance, I’m divided. If it was a supporting role, id say it was his to lose, but as lead, I’m not so sure. Maybe it was too much of a good thing, but I kinda got tired of it by the end. Even with the tragedy that happens, his character didn’t have an arc or change at all. It also didn’t show very many sides to Bulgr. I guess you could argue Bulger didn’t have any other side, but I doubt that. I think if the movie had been better, ie a better script and director, Depp may have been given more to work with and therefore turned it into a performance for the ages. As it stands, it’s merely good.
Was waiting for someone to let the cat out of the bag. I guess it was Film Stage. Bryce, that’s the western I saw. You probably knew that already. JJL is in for sure. We’ll see about director/picture etc (although the Morricone score is a stone cold lock). I never think his movies will hit with Oscar until they inevitably do in a big way. If recent history holds, it’ll be a major player. Roadshow version in 70mm was shown with Overture at the top (again, incredible Ennio work. can’t stress this enough) and intermission. Just over 3hrs total with that extra time. Digital version won’t have those extras and will probably almost the same length as Django.
Was waiting for someone to let the cat out of the bag. I guess it was Film Stage. Bryce, that’s the western I saw. You probably knew that already.
If there was one perfect question to ask, Bryce asked it: “Western?”
If there was one perfect detail to give, Chris gave it: maybe “a couple acting nods”
The Revenant seems to hold the possibility for only one acting nod, for Leo.
So that volley on Sept 16 was very well-played, you two.
OF NOTE: I’m co-hosting a fundraiser/”cocktail” to get a couple mailers out for Depardieu in WELCOME TO NEW YORK and Dafoe in PASOLINI…Get my contact from Ryan. Raquel Welch, Danny Trejo, Edward Furlong in attendance among others.
“Bridge of Spies” is Hanks’ fourth film with Spielberg, not his third.
Sounds like Tarantino is in for BD and Jennifer Jason Leigh should be considered a lock. Probably a top 3 film of the year.
https://twitter.com/TheFilmStage/status/645226333962833920
Sounds like Tarantino is in for BD and Jennifer Jason Leigh should be considered a lock. Probably a top 3 film of the year.
https://twitter.com/TheFilmStage/status/645226333962833920
I don’t know where you get “lock” from that tweet.
A boring race this year… No performance thus far demands to be awarded.
If The Revenant is a proper vehicle for Leo, he wins. Simple as that.
I just don’t see Depp winning. His film isn’t as well-liked as it needs to be, the performance is mildly divisive because of its use of prosthetics and it’s been soft at the box office so far.
Caine has two, and yes they’re in supporting, but I’m not sure there’s a huge rush to award him a third.
Redmayne is very in the moment in every scene on The Danish Girl, but his performance is a bit one-note, and instead of presenting Lily’s journey as a triumph, the film just watches as she withers away.
Fassbinder probably is the biggest threat, if the Academy really goes for Steve Jobs, but I’m not sure that’s a sure thing and he’s not playing a likeable character.
Damon could happen, if The Marian is the monster hit that it probably will be, but it’s admittedly not much of a stretch for him as an actor and the movie is not self-serious.
I don’t think anyone else has a chance, although if Keaton or Segal or Dano or Elba were upgraded by voters to the lead category that they belong in, the race would definitely get more interesting quickly!