2002 Best Actor and Best Actress Races

 

Time to continue the journey through the six major categories in the Oscar race this year.  Yesterday was the Supporting categories and today we move into the Leading roles.  Yesterday the men got talked about first.  Today, the women get the leading role, so let’s go to the movies. 

 

Salma Hayek for Frida

Unfortunately I missed multiple screening opportunities for Frida because of prior commitments, but everyone that has seen the film seems to believe Hayek was fabulous.  Unfortunately she is up against some extremely stiff competition and I don’t see her coming out on top.

 

Nicole Kidman for The Hours

The Hours was, as I mentioned yesterday, another one of two or three of the major Oscar films that I didn’t get a chance to attend the multiple screenings that were offered.  Kidman’s performance is said to be award winning and it wouldn’t surprise me for a second if this film brings Kidman the award that she so richly deserves.  I think the odds are that the Academy will send the award home with Nicole, not my choice though (maybe only because I haven’t seen it).

 

Diane Lane for Unfaithful

Diane Lane was very solid in her role as the cheating spouse in the film that was a reversal on most stories of infidelity.  I remember back when this film was released that I felt she delivered a strong role, but I didn’t believe this was a role that brings home the Oscar (at least as it has been defined).  If she won, I would not be disappointed, however I think there was an even better performance out there this year.

 

Julianne Moore for Far From Heaven

Wow.  This was the performance that I had seen that really stood out to me.  Julianne Moore portrays the 50s housewife in this film to a tee.  The agony in her face when she finds out about her husbands secret life is incredible.  She is able to play the competent housewife that takes care of her family and has a naivety that doesn’t exist in the fast paced society today.  She is just amazing in this film and my choice in the category.  I think she only has about a 20% chance to win though.

 

Renee Zellweger for Chicago

If Chicago sweeps, look out for Zellweger in this category.  She is solid as Roxie in this adaptation of the musical.  She is competent as a singer and actor in this role and would be a really solid winner in the category.  She is not my pick but I think she is running as the second favorite behind Kidman and could very easily walk away victorious, especially if Chicago takes off at the awards.

 

So now you have my look at the women, let’s take a look at the men in a category that is as strong (from top to bottom) as it has been in recent years.  Anyone in this category could win and I wouldn’t be disappointed, but I think it has become a three horse race.  So pick your pony, saddle up, and get ready for a wild ride. 

 

Adrien Brody for The Pianist

Brody is an underdog in the category, but delivers a really great performance nonetheless.  This film delivers such a powerful impact, and Brody is an integral part of that.  As a Jewish pianist that is struggling to survive during the Holocaust, Brody embodies the struggle for survival that existed in each and every individual from the era.  Brody delivers one of the finest performances of the year but I think he will not win the award.  He wouldn’t be my personal choice either, but he would be close.

 

Nicolas Cage for Adaptation

I said it after I saw the film (to which I got chuckles from people who hadn’t seen the film yet), and I’ll say it again now.  This is Cage’s best performance in years maybe even his best performance ever.  He played the duel role as brothers without the cheesiness that all these types of roles usually possess.  He created two very unique and different characters that could be told apart just by body language.  He just missed being my pick to win, and unfortunately I think he is up against two huge performances and Hollywood won’t let him have the statue.

 

Michael Caine for The Quiet American

One of the most accomplished actors in the category; yet I would consider him as my 4th or 5th choice for the award this year.  Caine is quietly effective in his role in this visually stunning film.  Yet despite his sound and very solid performance, he falls in a year with some very tough competition and probably will get locked out in his bid for Oscar.

 

Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York

Daniel Day-Lewis is my choice in this category.  Nicholson and Cage are right behind him, but I would have to say that for me, Day-Lewis delivered the most stunning performance of those in the category.  The belief was, when this film was begun, that Gangs of New York had the big name star of DiCaprio and this would be a vehicle for him.  Not so, as Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show as Bill The Butcher in this period piece.  Day-Lewis embodies his character totally and is unquestionably the main reason why I enjoyed Gangs of New York.  I think the Academy will either go for Day-Lewis or Nicholson, either of which will be a solid choice.

 

Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt

As I just mentioned, Nicholson would probably be my second choice in the category, but one that I could readily see taking home the prize.  Jack is Jack as Warren Schmidt in this film and he is allowed to shine.  The quirky character in this film allows Nicholson to bring out a number of the aspects of his persona that he brings with him to every film he does.  I would not at all be disappointed nor surprised if Nicholson walked home with a win, and gave us a very funny and entertaining speech on Oscar night.

 

Now you have it, the acting categories are all taken care of.  Who will win???  We’ll have to wait until Sunday night, March 23 and the 75th annual Academy Award ceremonies on ABC.

 

© 2003 Paul Hall, All Rights Reserved

 

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