As with every category, picking my favorite to the win the Oscar for the Actor in a Leading Role is tough, but not impossible. Read on and then tell me why I got it all wrong! This year’s Actor in a Leading Role Nominees are:
Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
The story of Hollywood Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s struggle to continue to save his career and support his family after being blacklisted in the late 1940’s.
Matt Damon, The Martian
Astronaut and engineer Matt Watney, played by the uber-charismatic Matt Damon, is left behind on Mars during a space mission, and must find a way to survive long enough to be rescued.
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
Playing real-life hunter and trapper Hugh Glass, Leonardo DiCaprio barely speaks in this film that tells the story of his survival following a grisly bear mauling and being left for dead by the members of his expedition.
Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Michael Fassbender brings an intense magnetic energy to the role of Steve Jobs in the film that uses the release of three new products to feature his personal failures and professional accomplishments.
Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl
The story of Dutch artist Einar Wegener who, in the 1920’s, undergoes one of the first sexual reassignment surgeries.
Who gets my vote? Bryan Cranston. I know, I know, Leo is going to win (for a physically grueling performance, but one in which he pretty much just grunts, groans, and screams), but I loved every moment of Cranston’s portrayal of the dazzlingly articulate, brave, patriotic, funny and heroic man.
Here are my takes on Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.
Tell me why I’m wrong. In the meantime, can you click on one of the buttons below to share this? Ok, now you can tell me why I’m wrong, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
XO
Welcome!
I’m an outlier here. I’ve seen TRUMBO twice and I feel he overacts. It may be that he is true to the character he portrays, but it just doesn’t work for me.
I just saw Steve Jobs yesterday, and I think Michael Fassbinder is perfect in that role. My sentimental favorite is Matt Damon because he literally is the story. He acts alone for so much of the film and he has so many things going on in his face and body and he masters it completely. I thought Eddie Redmayne was brilliant. But I feel certain Leonado DiCaprio will win and I won’t be disappointed. It was a really physical role and he was impressive. But I tend to be more moved by performances that reflect a lot going on inside – like Steve Jobs or the Martian.
I guess my personal pick is Matt Damon. But I’m sure DiCaprio will win.
I love reading your comments Gailya, they are so thoughtful, and convincing! I agree about Michael Fassbinder, I would be happy if he won as well. I just didn’t enjoy the Steve Jobs movie as much as Trumbo. In addition, I feel that the Trumbo movie is so relevant for today, and is such an important history lesson.
I like Matt Damon as well, and acting alone is a difficult task. His charisma carried him through what I thought was a fun, fluffy movie. I thought Eddie Redmayne’s performance consisted primarily of batting his eyes, and it left me surprisingly unmoved.
I love reading your comments Gailya, they are so thoughtful, and convincing! I agree about Michael Fassbinder, I would be happy if he won as well. I just didn’t enjoy the Steve Jobs movie as much as Trumbo. In addition, I feel that the Trumbo movie is so relevant for today, and is such an important history lesson.
I like Matt Damon as well, and acting alone is a difficult task. His charisma carried him through what I thought was a fun, fluffy movie. I thought Eddie Redmayne’s performance consisted primarily of batting his eyes, and it left me surprisingly unmoved.