The Lists: In Contention's Top 10 Oscar-Winning Biopic Performances
Who do the Oscar hopefuls from this year's prestige biopics need to measure up to?
In Contention's Top 10 Oscar-Winning Biopic Performances
Michelle Williams (left), Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio are among the actors vying to win Academy Awards this season for playing real-life figures. The biopic approach has been a reliable route to Oscar glory of late: 12 of the last 20 winners in the lead acting categories played non-fictional characters. But how many actors coast through on mere impersonation, and how many craft indelible characterizations from the history books? This week's list rounds up the finest biopic performances ever to impress the Academy, with actors including Daniel Day-Lewis, Barbra Streisand and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Continue reading to see if your favorites made the cut and join the discussion at In Contention.
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November 2, 2011 at 12:39AM EST Reply to CommentI couldn't disagree more about Hoffman's performance. You could literally feel the judgement pouring out of him with every syllable. There was no love for the person he was playing. I much preferred Jones' humane portrayal of Capote, and 'Infamous' is the better film for it. (Still features career-best from Bullock and a striking cameo from Paltrow to boot.)
Andrew Falcao
November 2, 2011 at 12:50AM EST Reply to CommentWith no hint of hyperbole, I believe Hoffman's performance here is the greatest we will see from any actor in a generation. Pitch-perfect in every aspect, and made even better by Miller's impeccable mise en scene. Whatup!
Jim
November 2, 2011 at 9:08AM EST Reply to CommentNot bad, but it's missing what I consider the two best- George C. Scott in Patton and F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus.
Eric Bana in Chopper is another great one.