Screen Actors Guild Film Predictions

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards are all about the acting.  There are no technical, production or direction categories.  This means the list of awards is short and more time is spent on TV categories than film.  As you may already know, I rarely turn on my TV unless it is to play a DVD or Borderlands 2.  So here are my choices and predictions.

1) Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role

            Bradley Cooper / Pat - "Silver Linings Playbook" (The Weinstein Company)

            Daniel Day-lewis / Abraham Lincoln - "Lincoln" (Touchstone Pictures)

            John Hawkes / Mark - "The Sessions" (FOX Searchlight)

            Hugh Jackman / Jean Valjean - "Les Misérables" (Universal Pictures)

            Denzel Washington / Whip Whitaker - "Flight" (Paramount Pictures)

The Lowdown:  A case can be made that peers might look at the complexity of roles for Hugh Jackman or John Hawkes as possible winners. The buzz says Daniel Day-Lewis will win and I believe deservedly so.  D.D.L might as well be a shape shifter.

My Choice: Daniel Day-lewis for Lincoln

Predicted SAG Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis/Lincoln

2) Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Leading Role

            Jessica Chastain / Maya - "Zero Dark Thirty" (Columbia Pictures)

            Marion Cotillard / Stephanie - "Rust And Bone" (sony Pictures Classics)

            Jennifer Lawrence / Tiffany - "Silver Linings Playbook" (The Weinstein Company)

            Helen Mirren / Alma Reville - "Hitchcock" (FOX Searchlight)

            Naomi Watts / Maria - "The Impossible" (Summit Entertainment)

The Lowdown:  I am mesmerized by Marion Cotillard and she gives a first rate performance in Rust and Bone.  However, this award comes down to Jennifer Lawrence or Jessica Chastain. Every indication is that it is a coin flip.  The x-factor is the politically charged torture issue with the film “Zero Dark Thirty”.  I do not think SAG members will hold the decision of the writer/director against Chastain in general, it may mean the one or two votes needed to get Lawrence the award.  Lawrence deserves it anyway.

My Choice: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook.

Predicted SAG Winner: Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook.

Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Supporting Role

            Alan Arkin / Lester Siegel - "Argo" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

            Javier Bardem / Silva - "Skyfall" (Columbia Pictures)

            Robert De Niro / Pat, Sr. - "Silver Linings Playbook" (The Weinstein Company)

            Philip Seymour Hoffman / Lancaster Dodd - "The Master" (The Weinstein Company)

            Tommy Lee Jones / Thaddeus Stevens - "Lincoln" (Touchstone Pictures)

The Lowdown:  This category is a complete toss up.  Buzz has Tommy Lee Jones, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Arkin as possible winners.  Sentimentality would put Arkin and Jones ahead.  Hopefully SAG will not ignore what I believe was one of DeNiro’s most compelling performances as the OCD father in Silver Linings Playbook.

My Choice: Robert DeNiro for Silver Linings Playbook

Predicted SAG Winner:  Alan Arkin for Argo.

Outstanding Performance By A Female Actor In A Supporting Role

            Sally Field / Mary Todd Lincoln - "Lincoln" (Touchstone Pictures)

            Anne Hathaway / Fantine - "Les Misérables" (Universal Pictures)

            Helen Hunt / Cheryl - "The Sessions" (FOX Searchlight)

            Nicole Kidman / Charlotte Bless - "The Paperboy" (Millennium Entertainment)

            Maggie Smith / Muriel Donnelly - "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (FOX Searchlight)

The Lowdown:  Anne Hathaway is the frontrunner in this category and I would be surprised if she doesn’t sweep each of the award shows.  However, look out for Sally Field and Helen Hunt who are acting favorites. Neither has gotten as much love as they deserve.  (Note: Although she has done many wonderful roles, Nicole Kidman's portrayal in The Paperboy does not belong in this category) 

My Choice: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Predicted SAG Winner: Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables

Outstanding Performance By A Cast In A Motion Picture

Argo (Warner Bros. Pictures)            

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (FOX Searchlight)

Les Misérables (Universal Pictures)                                             

Lincoln (Touchstone Pictures)

Silver Linings Playbook (The Weinstein Company)

The Lowdown:  Each of these movies is a showcase for acting talent.  SAG members will not forget even the slightest role.  However, there seems to be a ground swell in Hollywood for Argo.  Argo has won every major movie and directing award thus far, including the Producer’s Guild Award for Best Picture last night.  The fact that the MPAA director’s nominating committee completely skipped directing nominations for Tom Hooper (Les Miserables), Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and one of their own, Ben Affleck (Argo) may have them seeing red.  Anything is possible (Les Mis or Silver Linings may be spoilers) but I like Argo to win.

My Choice: Argo

Predicted SAG Winner: Argo