We’ve taken concentrated looks at the lead actress and supporting actress categories in recent weeks. Now let’s turn our attention over to the fellas.
Behind the Best Picture race, of course, the lead actor competition is perhaps the most hotly anticipated award of a given Oscar telecast. Movie stars are born, Hollywood staples are rewarded and careers leap to the next level. It makes for an intriguing annual state of the union as it pertains the the film industry’s talent roster.
This year, one of Hollywood’s brightest stars finds himself right at the front of the conversation. George Clooney is likely to end up with his third acting Oscar nomination, for Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air,” and he’ll owe much of that to Reitman’s powerful work on the page.
Clooney doesn’t give his best performance to date in the film. But the material is so cleverly built around his persona that one can’t blame the actor for saddling up to a role that fits like a glove. And there is something to be said for the bravery of taking one’s image on like that.
Colin Firth, meanwhile, has caused a critical stir with his leading performance in Tom Ford’s “A Single Man.” He has already won the Venice Film Festival’s acting honor and has been tapped for another at February’s Santa Barbara Film Festival. He is pitch-perfect in the film, giving a refined performance of nuance and gesture.
A number of other pre-season performances deserve to be noted in this space, however. Jeremy Renner in Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” is probably at the top of that list, yet he remains a bubble contender despite his film’s sure-fire status in other categories. It can be difficult for a newbie to muscle in without a wave of critical support, but one major precursor award and Renner starts to look like a great bet.
Also from earlier in the year, Sam Rockwell gave a tour de force performance that is being taken seriously by the studio for awards in Duncan Jones’s “Moon,” while Sharlto Copley’s work in “District 9” remains some of the finest on screens this year.
Like Rockwell, another actor from this year’s Sony Classics stable will get a serious push from the studio: Michael Sheen in “The Damned United.” Sheen apparently dazzled the Hollywood Foreign Press Association so much with his work in the soccer drama that some insiders are already placing early shoo-in bets on the actor nailing down a Golden Globe nomination. He moves through the film with an airy sureness that could make voters sit up and take note or, perhaps, be too chameleon-like to register.
Two comedic performances that were on screens as the season took hold could survive the race. Matt Damon offered perhaps his best work to date in Steven Soderbergh’s “The Informant!,” while Michael Stuhlbarg jumped onto the scene in the Coens’ “A Serious Man” and could get the added benefit of critical kudos. The former is probably a safer bet than the latter, and may even be underestimated at the moment.
A pair of old-timers will be gunning for recognition in Hal Holbrook and Christopher Plummer for “That Evening Sun” and “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” respectively. Holbrook gives a wonderfully ornery performance in a timely piece, while Plummer might have better luck in the supporting arena for another Sony Classics film. An AFI tribute to the actor is right around the corner.
Two contenders that everyone is betting on (but no one has seen) are Daniel Day-Lewis in “Nine” and Morgan Freeman in “Invictus,” but another vet is lurking: Robert De Niro, who received an arbitrary Best Actor award from the Hollywood film fest for his work in the remake “Everybody’s Fine.” That film screens tomorrow at AFI Fest and buzz has really been cranking up on the actor’s potential return to the awards race.
Jake Gyllenhaal is said to be quite good in Jim Sheridan’s “Brothers” (Tobey Maguire, not so much), while Ben Foster nails the drama of “The Messenger.” Both will likely receive campaigns. Ditto fellow younger contenders Ben Wishaw in “Bright Star” and James McAvoy in “The Last Station,” but all remain long shots at best.
One performance that isn’t likely to go away, however, is one that has already become an excuse to hold career tributes to the actor: Viggo Mortensen in “The Road.” It will be tough for the Weinsteins to muscle both Mortensen and Firth into the race, however, and given the largely cool reception the film is receiving in many quarters, Mortensen’s work could be an awards casualty. Truth be told, we’ve seen better, and he’s given better.
A final note on perhaps the best performance in this category I’ve seen all year: Tahar Rahim in “A Prophet.” While the film is France’s foreign language film submission, it will not receive a qualifying run for other categories in 2009. Sony Pictures Classics is holding the release until February of 2010, where it will hopefully find an audience. But unfortunately, Rahim cannot be considered for the Academy’s lead actor award this year.
There are other fringe possibilities, all of which are noted in the Contenders section. But I don’t imagine the field will widen much beyond that. The sidebar predictions, meanwhile, have been tweaked yet again, mostly in craft categories.
What are your thoughts on this year’s Best Actor race? Have your say in the comments section below!
Comments
61 responses to “OFF THE CARPET: Looking at the leading gentlemen”
Wouldn’t this be Clooney’s third acting nomination, and fifth altogether?
Third acting nod, yes. Thanks for the catch.
For some reason I’m really liking Firth this year. He’s a great actor who usually ends up with supporting roles and gets no love, so I’m hoping voters take advantage of the chance to honor his work.
And amen on Tahar Rahim. Shame he can’t be considered. What a phenomenal performance in a phenomenal film.
What is Clooney’s best performance then, Chris? Batman perhaps?
Also happy to see The White Ribbon as an Original Screenplay prediction, even if it has not found itself onto the Best Foreign Language Film.
viggo, freeman, firth, lewis, clooney, its a done deal
although i think whalberg for lovely bones should at least be mentioned
and kris is there any way to mark the changes you make on the tracker so we can know what has changed?
Seen M.Sheen- good as ever, seen Renner- didn’t quite get it but he’s welcome in my book, seen Rahim- a breakthrough, very good.
“Moon” surprised me. I knew it was good, but not THAT good; Rockwell is amazing. I saw Copley but I don’t find it that good. Damon is always great, but I honestly don’t see him it the lead race- supporting more likely.
Req: That’s just too much micro-managing for my tastes. I’ve begun to add “(new)” tags once again to the Contenders section, though.
James: No sir, Batman is not George Clooney’s best performance. I’d say “Syriana” or “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
That’s Kris, by the way. With a friggin’ “K.”
Sorry homey, I noticed it just after I typed it.
I would have said Michael Clayton, but Syriana is up there. I wasn’t overly impressed with Good Night, and Good Luck.
Good Night and Good Luck was seriously snore-inducing on all levels. Clooney’s best performance remains Michael Clayton.
“Behind the Best Picture race, of course, the lead actor competition is perhaps the most hotly anticipated award of a given Oscar telecast.”
Not Director? It also belies a slight (and probably unintentional) male bias, no?
As for the lineup, I think it all depends on how Nine and Invictus are received, but if all goes “according to plan” I think it’ll be:
Freeman, Clooney, Firth, Day-Lewis & Renner (if only to offset the age/established actor set)
I just hope Michael Sheen gets his nod, though I’m saying that arbitrarily since I havent seen the performance. He hasnt let me down yet, even in the Underworld movies. I feel like he’s been snubbed a lot lately (Queen, Frost/Nixon)
I really don’t think Damon get’s nominated for The Informant. DDL is seeming questionable as well as much as I’d love to see it happen. I just don’t see Clooney, Morgan, and DDL all getting in. Also i see you bumped A Single Man out of BP for Avatar…no way.
current Best Actor lineup:
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jake Gyllenhaal, Brothers
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker
JAB: I’ve seen A Single Man since (and actually Avatar went in LAST week), and I really don’t think it’ll get in. Avatar, on the other hand, if it hits — yes.
Firth
Rockwell
Copley
Stuhlbarg
Renner
Is what I’m pulling for, with Viggo being interchangeable with anyone on that list.
Has anyone actually SEEN “Nine”? It’s sitting there on everyone’s Oscar lists like an 800 lb gorilla, but how do we know it’s actually anything special?
Kris, did you not like ‘A Single Man’? Or you just don’t see the nom happening?
I have a lot of respect for it but I don’t think it’s a knockout and regardless, I don’t think it has the pull to land a nod. So a mix of both I guess.
My ideal five:
Clooney, Firth, Renner, Rockwell and Copley.
Freeman and Damon as wildcards.
I don’t see Day-Lewis in this year.
This is what I predict that the Academy will nominate.
George Clooney-“Up in The Air”
Matt Damon-“The Informant”
Colin Firth-“A Single Man”
Jeremy Renner-“The Hurt Locker”
Morgan Freeman-“Invictus”
I have a hard time seeing him get a nom, but Wahlberg could be in contention if Bones hits big.
But really, I just want Clooney, Wahlberg and Jonze to all be nominated for a little Three Kings reunion.
It’s looking like Firth, Clooney, & Freeman on top. The latter two being much-loved but winning just supporting once, Firth being my favorite and (I say biasedly) looking the most likely winner.
At least right now I think Mortensen, Day-Lewis, and Renner are right beneath (I see Damon getting Supp nod.). Though I don’t care about any of them and wouldn’t mind seeing less-predicted men like Holbrook. As for Whishaw, since I’d argue he supports Fanny’s character, I’d “fraud” him and push him for supporting; I wasn’t that into Schneider.
I see Potter’s all gone in favor of the Joker’s last movie. Hmph.
I’d support Bullock if she magically knocked out Mulligan of the race. However, if she somehow did get in, she’d probably edge out one or both of two nominees I want to see (along with Streep) and are on the bubble, Ronan & Cornish.
On Wahlberg….according to Tom O’Neil everyone will be going supporting except Ronan…who according to his source…”is in virtually every scene of The Lovely Bones” and “steals the picture from everyone”.
So Ronan may be considered the only lead.
I am so so sick of Hollywood’s orgasms over Clooney – he is just not that good an actor. If this is not Clooney’s best, then it’s probably about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. I haven’t seen all the upcoming movies yet but I have seen 3 or 4 actors who I’m sure are much more deserving of an Oscar than Clooney and I’m also sure there will be 3 or 4 more showing up in the next two months.
I think he is a good actor.With roles in “Micheal Clayton” and “Syriana.” In my opionion – Hollywood past- and present has had “orgasms” over other good-looking leading men – so this certainly isn’t anything new.
It is part of Show-biz isn’t it?
I think it’s Clooney’s best performance largely because it’s the screenplay that makes him work the hardest. Michael Clayton seemed too often to let him off on his movie star charm. I always found the “Do I look like I’m negotiating?” scene and smug taxi cab smile a bit off, considering his character was sort of a failed Willy Loman type: bad small business, job that seems important but isn’t really, etc. UITA, by contrast, doesn’t coast on his embodiment of the smooth sailing Bingham persona: it takes him down a number of notches as the narrative progresses, and Clooney is oddly up to the task of playing a career-shark whose profession all-but evaporates overnight, leaving him grasping at relationships he hasn’t worked nearly hard enough at. It’s uncharacteristically soulful work from someone who usually balks at the vulnerability that calls for.
Kris, what are your thoughts on the low hum of buzz for “This Is It” for BP?
Well, the real story of Michael Clayton was Tom Wilkinson getting robbed of an Oscar anyway.
What I’d like to see (admittedly some of these are sight unseen):
Firth
Renner
Rahim
Clooney
Day Lewis
And I love Sharlto Copley’s performance, but I’m hard pressed to imagine which clip they’d show on Oscar night and not get an FCC fine. Furthermore, he’s already “won” the going-to-Hollywood sweepstakes (being cast in The A-Team) so I’m sure Academy members would feel he doesn’t “need” further recognition.
Hans: It’ll be over within the week. The low hum, that is.
Morgan is right. Wilkinson was superb in Michael Clayton.
I’ve seen several very positive reviews for The Road. Most of the fanbase here at In Contention whose seen the movie, and posted there opinion really seem to like it. It’s also got a very high rating at Rotten Tomatoes currently. I haven’t seen it yet, so I don’t know which side I will fall on, but overall at this point, I’m wondering if you and Guy might end up in the minority (albeit a vocal one) on this one. We’ll have to wait until a bunch more reviews have been posted to find out for sure however.
Clooney’s best performance is clearly O Brother, Where Art Thou, though? “I’m a Dapper Dan man.”
I hope Sam Rockwell gets in, but it’s all too easy for the Academy to give lazy nods to Day Lewis and Freeman. And you can bet Jeremy Renner will pick up some critical notices, Firth probably being his only big competition on the critical awards circuit. They’ll trade off. Clooney will sweep the mainstream awards, and two others (yes, probably Day Lewis and Freeman) will be lucky to slip in.
I would like to see:
Firth
Renner
Copley
Rockwell
Mortensen
and then…
Day-Lewis
Plummer
Damon
McAvoy
I really don´t like Clooney (Am I the only girl?) I think he doesn´t deserve it. :P
Considering I’d completely forgotten about “The Damned United” since seeing it in March, I’m a bit surprised by the sudden swell of talk about Michael Sheen — he’s certainly stronger there than in “The Queen” or “Frost/Nixon,” but I still wasn’t knocked out. Maybe I just don’t get him.
I’m really starting to feel Firth could win this — à la Jeremy Irons in 1990 — even if “A Single Man” remains a minor player. (Which, I agree with Kris, will likely be the case.) I’m just having trouble swallowing the idea of the category having three repeat winners in a row — of the new blood, Firth is surely the best positioned.
Don’t count Mortenson out gang — he is brilliant in the film, carries it in fact — Clooney is brilliant in “Up in the Air” but his best work was in “Michael Clayton” and for those bitching about his talents…he’s the real deal…period.
Let’s hope the Academy rmembers Jeremy for “The Hurt Locker” for Best Actor…he should be there.
I would really love to see Michael Stuhlbarg get nominated. He is brilliant in the film and is arguably what holds the effort together. I’m really interested to see what kind of critical buzz comes around Everybody’s Fine. I thought it looked like a potential disaster, but the award for De Niro certainly raised my eyebrows.
“I really don´t like Clooney (Am I the only girl?) I think he doesn´t deserve it. :P”
Kate, I’m a female and Clooney’s politician-like smarmy charm is completely lost on me.
Sorry, John, I just don’t agree that he’s the real deal. He’s an average actor at best, IMO. Look, Ii’s not that I’m so against Clooney, I’ve enjoyed some of his movies, it’s that I’m against all the slobbering Hollyweird does over him award-wise when there are so many better actors out there who deserve an Oscar more than he does. Some have been around a long time, like Jeff Bridges, some don’t play the Hollywood game, like Sam Rockwell. Sean Penn deserves two Oscars, Russell Crowe ‘should’ have two, Johnny Depp should have one, Robert Downey Jr should have one, I could go on and on.
I would love to see some new blood awarded this year. Others have mentioned Sam Rockwell, Jeremy Renner, Sharlto Copley, all deserving.
As much as I like Renner in The Hurt Locker, I think it would’ve needed more scenes of emotional oomph (i.e. drama) to really be able to push through to the top five, especially in a year where there are plenty of noteworthy candidates with names far more famous.
Anyway, rooting for Sheen. Grass roots campaign!
Johnny Depp will be nominated for Public Enemies.
Kris have you seen The Blind Side? Do you really think Bullock has a shot? I honestly can’t wait to see the movie, I saw the story on SportsCenter a few months ago and think it looks like a fun little tearjerker. I’m sort of pulling for her.
***And I love Sharlto Copley’s performance, but I’m hard pressed to imagine which clip they’d show on Oscar night and not get an FCC fine.***
Uhhh, I don’t think that’s even near the top of what the Academy is thinking of when they nominate a performance. If it were true how was Joe Pesci nominated for “Goodfellas,” or Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed.”
It’s really a goofy thing to say, no offense. And they don’t always show clips, anyway.
Best Actor: Colin Firth
Best Acress: Carey Mulligan or Saoirse Ronan
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Best Supporting Actress: Monique (though I’m hoping Julianne Moore will gain some traction, she’s long overdue)
I do hope Jake Gyllenhaal gets a nod for Brothers, the trailer looks amazing.
I think it was Nick Davis who said Mickey Rourke must be kicking himself at this best actor field.
I liked Michael Sheen in The Damned United, i was aware of the legend of Brian Clough so maybe i was biased, but he knocked it out of the park 4 me.
As 4 Clooney, have 2 c/s the ladies in here who aren’t feeling him. I feel he has a good body of work when u think about it, he kinda working with a lot of talented directors etc, but he aint got that x factor 4 me. Kinda wanted him 2 be a new Michael Douglas, the most underrtated leading man of all time when u look at his catalogue, but he aint quite there.
George Clooney-”Up in The Air”
Matt Damon-”The Informant”
Colin Firth-”A Single Man”
Jeremy Renner-”The Hurt Locker”
Morgan Freeman-”Invictus”
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i agree with#19,thats my prediction
I would cry if Sam Rockwell didn’t get nominated, I doubt that I will see a better performance in the lead actor category this year IMO.
I can’t help feeling that a lot of A-list acting talent (the Clooneys, the Pitts et al) are being challenged by a whole lot of up-and-coming male talent. At what point do we (the audience? the critics?) decide when we’ve seen pretty much all we’re going to see from some of the established stars, and move on?
I’d just love to see a Best Actor list that had all new guys. It will never happen though.
Yeah, we’re into November, and Sam Rockwell is still firmly my #1. :-( Hope he gets some recognition.