2011 Best Actor Oscar Contenders
Will Colin be crowned 'King' or are Franco's 'Days' of waiting over?
Will Colin Firth reign with his second chance at Oscar?
A year ago, Colin Firth was sitting pretty after winning the Venice Film Festival best actor award for his work in "A Single Man." And besides some expected competition from Daniel Day-Lewis in "Nine," which obviously never transpired, and adoration for George Clooney's turn in "Up in the Air" Firth was considered the frontrunner in the best actor race. Then November hit and all hell broke loose.
Fox Searchlight surprised everyone by deciding to release "Crazy Heart" in December and Jeff Bridges boarded a rocking' freight train all the way to his first and long-deserved Academy Award. Seven months later, Firth is back with a performance just as impressive in "The King's Speech" and once again has been labeled the front runner. Will he get duped by a surprise last minute addition to the race? Can Jeff Bridges win back to back? Will James Franco pull an upset? Can Leonardo DiCaprio finally win? Is Jesse Eisenberg a stealth candidate? Probably not to all those questions. Instead, Firth's role as King George VI should coast him to a win just as Helen Mirren's royal turn as "The Queen" saw her take home Oscar gold over three years ago. Then again, if history has taught us anything it's to "never say never" when it comes to the Academy Awards or awards season.
Therefore, with that in mind, peruse these potential best actor nominees and decide for yourself if there is a race to be had in one of Oscar's most prestigious categories.
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October 20, 2010 at 6:21AM EST Reply to CommentI can't seem to remember, what exactly did Jim Carrey say at the Golden Globes to rub Oscar the wrong way?
October 20, 2010 at 12:44PM EST
October 21, 2010 at 12:19PM ESTBT He had won the GG the previous year too and boasted how he was "the Tom Hanks" of the GGs. His whole speech came across like he was expecting an Oscar nomination and it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
November 18, 2010 at 8:26PM ESTJonnybon
October 20, 2010 at 6:21AM EST Reply to CommentHe may be a wonderful director, but Affleck's acting is not good and he will never be nominated in the acting categories.
thaty I totally agree with you ... but I have always though the same thing about Sandra Bullock!
November 18, 2010 at 6:40PM EST
October 20, 2010 at 1:25PM EST Reply to CommentEisenberg carries The Social Network. It's a genuinely subtle and layered performance. I agree that Garfield gets to play a guy who is much more recognizably human and therefore more sympathetic. I think Eisenberg's work is really brave as never tries to make Zuckerberg likable. It's a fine line to walk and the film wouldn't succeed as well as it does with Eisenberg.
October 20, 2010 at 1:42PM EST Reply to CommentFrom what I've heard, it's just that both James Franco and Colin Firth have both given *stunning* performances in their respective films... it's just a two-horse race.
Leah Colin Firth appears to be the early favorite. It seems like the choice the Academy would lean towards. However, from the praise he received over the summer; Javier Bardem is a contender. Many critics have deemed it his best performance and he has had some good ones. Nevertheless, often the actors who win at Cannes don't even get nominated at the Oscars such as Del Toro in 08. Due to Biutiful having a late Dec US release, it may garner momentum heading into the homestretch.
November 15, 2010 at 2:28AM ESTIn the Social Network, I also feel that Garfield's performance was the stronger of the two and should get a supporting nod. Much like Jeremy Renner in The Town such also get a supporting nomination.
gabe
November 29, 2010 at 2:53PM EST Reply to CommentJames Franco
Colin Firth
Jim Carrey
Robert Duvall
Jeff Bridges
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with Franco or Firth winning the award
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Carrey will get nominated because he will create a spike in the ratings--and he deserves to be. He was fantastic in Phil Mor.
Duvall will get nominated because he is Duvall--he did a fine job in his movie and fits the "old quota" for the awards
Bridges will make the cut if his performance is as captivating as it seems it might be--also its a Cohen movie.. But it's possible they nominate the girl in this movie too.. The main reason Bridges will get nominated is because the academy loves back-2-back nods when deserved. it adds drama and ratings spike.. he def wont win though. Not over Firth or Franco. No chance.
jodie Finally, someone responded with Duvall. I just saw get low last night at staller film festival, and all I kept thinking was that he is a huge contender for at least nomination from this incredible role.
December 11, 2010 at 1:19PM ESTjabcat
January 11, 2011 at 2:02PM EST Reply to CommentBARNEY'S VERSION - US Theatrical Release Schedule - http://bit.ly/hbzzXP
January 22, 2011 at 8:03PM EST Reply to CommentBen as well deserving of getting recognized on his directing and acting work on the town!
Jon A. Kumbera