On this week’sFor Your Consideration, Collider’s awards expertsScott Mantz,Perri NemiroffandJeff Sneiderrehash the acting races now that the picture has become more clear following the Golden Globe and SAG nominations. Things are still a bit cloudy, as there is still no clear frontrunner in any of the four acting categories. But at least that means there will be some excitement, unlike last year, when the Oscar winners seemed a bit preordained.
Let’s start with the most interesting of the four races – Best Actress.Lady Gagais looming large here, though some critics maintain that she was simply playing a version of herself inA Star Is Born. I don’t know many who weren’t impressed byMelissa McCarthy’s dramatic turn inCan You Ever Forgive Me?and yet another Fox Searchlight actress –The FavouritestarOlivia Colman– seems to have the edge heading into the Christmas break. Meanwhile, Emily Blunt is gaining awards traction as more people seeMary Poppins Returns, andGlenn Closeis still lingering and can’t be dismissed, given the strength of her work inThe Wife. That leavesWidowsstarViola Davison the outside looking in, forcing theFYChosts to discuss her fading awards hopes. Jeff is still pulling forRosamund PikeandCarey Mulligan, but neither is looking like a surefire Oscar nominee.
In terms of Best Actor, there are four clear-cut nominees, but that fifth slot still feels up for grabs, with critical darlingEthan Hawkebattling theBlacKkKlansmanhimself,John David Washington, who beat out theFirst Reformedstar for both a SAG and a Golden Globe nomination. As for the other four presumed nominees –Bradley Cooper,Christian Bale,Viggo MortensenandRami Malek– it remains anyone’s guess who will win. Cooper seems more interested in winning Best Director, though the Academy could give him this Oscar in the event that the other one goes toAlfonso CuarónforRoma.Green Book’s Mortensen is a respected veteran who has never won.Vicestar Bale has won before and is excellent asDick Cheney, but will Academy members actually vote for that performance? And could rising starRami Maleksurprise everyone and win for playingFreddie MercuryinBohemian Rhapsody? I wouldn’t count any of these guys out at this point.
Over in Best Supporting Actor,Richard E. Grantseems to be out in front at the moment, withMahershala AliandTimothée Chalametclose behind, if only because of their screen time.Sam Elliottstill has a passionate base of supporters for playing Cooper’s put-upon brother inA Star Is Born, though it wasVice’sSam Rockwellwho secured a Golden Globe nomination. And finally,Adam Driveris looking more and more likely to be nominated forBlacKkKlansman, though Jeff still thinks he could be the odd man out if both Sams find their way into the final field of five.
Jeff also thinks it’s a bit of a weak year for Best Supporting Actress, with every pundit predicting a pair of nominations forThe FavouritestarsEmma StoneandRachel Weisz. That duo andVice’sAmy Adamsseem to be the three most likely nominees, although the FYC gang still perceivesRegina Kingas the frontrunner at the moment, even though she missed out on a SAG nomination in favor of dark horseMargot Robbie, whoseMary Queen of Scotshas generated mixed reviews from the few who have seen it.Emily Bluntwas also a surprise SAG nominee in this category, as voters fell for her turn inA Quiet Place, thereby snubbingFirst Man’sClaire Foy. Obviously, Scott felt that she was an egregious oversight, and even Jeff agrees that she was overlooked despite being cool on the film itself.
To keep up with all thingsFor Your Consideration, follow the gang on Twitter and Instagram at @MovieMantz, @PNemiroffand @TheInSneider. Leave us a comment on YouTube letting us know whose predictions and arguments you agree with the most. Stay tuned next week for more awards talk, and we’llFYC-ya later!
