12 Days of Oscar: Day 2 - Acting in Leading Roles

Acting in a leading role is one of the “major” categories because the lead must be the focal point of the story without getting in the way of it.  The lead actor or actress is but a part of the big picture, but without a strong lead… all of the efforts to convincingly move the audience become improbable.

This year’s leading categories, like most, are filled with masterful performances.  Now to separate mastery from legendary.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINEES

Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva – Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts – The Impossible

This year’s leading actress category is replete with strong female characters, which is always my benchmark.

Jessica Chastain does a remarkable job as the CIA operative who put the pieces together to find Bin Laden.  The screenwriter also helped her in removing her from “obligatory” love entanglements and made her a tough as nails professional.

Jennifer Lawrence is equally tough as the blunt, recent widow who is trying to move on with her life in Silver Linings Playbook.  Her dialogue and demeanor were perfectly delivered and Jennifer Lawrence is quickly establishing herself as “money” in the acting realm.

Emmanuelle Riva was haunting as both lucid and brilliant pianist and deteriorating stroke patient.  If one can get past the depressing nature of the subject matter, this was as good a performance as was given this year.

Quvenzhane Wallis was a firecracker of physical and emotional turbulence and resolve.  Her performance was amazing.

Naomi Watts made audiences wince and cheer as a mother, injured in the Indonesian tsunami that is determined to get her son to safety. 

My Favorite:  Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

My Oscar Prediction:  Emmanuelle Riva for Amour

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINEES

Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-lewis – Lincoln

Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix – The Master

Denzel Washington – Flight

Bradley Cooper gives his best performance to date as a bipolar man working hard to win back his wife in the dramady Silver Linings Playbook. 

Hugh Jackman’s voice, vulnerability and dedication to Jean Valjean was nothing short of epic.  A true performance to go into the annals of cinema history.

Joaquin Phoenix would be the frontrunner here if not for a film that was “love it/hate it” and Phoenix’s disdain for awards in general.  Phoenix gave an absolutely stunning portrait of a man led by his basest desires trying through the help of Hoffman’s character to become a “more noble” man.  There wasn’t a moment that Phoenix was not spot on and in character.

Denzel Washington gave a fine performance as an alcoholic pilot.  Though convincing and well performed, if anything, the highlights of the film occur from special effects and John Goodman.  The story, though good, was not as powerful as the other films, making Washington’s performance seem average though it was much more.

Daniel Day-lewis was, and from now on may ever be thought of as Abraham Lincoln.  End of story.

My favorite:  Daniel Day-lewis for Lincoln

My Oscar Prediction:  Daniel Day-lewis for Lincoln