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Best actor nominees
For best actor, the Oscar nominees are:
Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”; Frank Langella, “Frost/Nixon”; Sean Penn, “Milk”; Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”; Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler.”
This category was a pleasant surprise, mainly because Richard Jenkins was wonderful in “The Visitor,” but the little movie got very little attention in the days leading up to the nominations.
Jenkins plays a lonely man who comes back to his New York apartment after a lengthy absence, only to find a young couple living there. He decides to let them stay, and a bond emerges than gives Jenkins new life. The performance was understated and beautiful.
He has no chance to win, of course. The two big contenders should be Sean Penn in “Milk” and Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler.” Both were excellent and are deserving nominees.
Frank Langella also was eerily reminiscent of the creepiness of Richard Nixon. So he has a shot.
But a win by Brad Pitt in a “Curious Case” would be almost as big of a surprise as a victory by Jenkins. Pitt was fine, of course. But the role wasn’t nearly showy enough for Oscar tastes.
My pick: either Penn or Rourke. I’m secretly rooting for the incredibly messed-up Rourke, mainly because he gives messed-up people hope.
As for the snubs, many will be surprised that Clint Eastwood didn’t get a nom for “Gran Torino.” The Oscar folks love Clint. But we’ve seen his cranky old-man routine before, so it wasn’t a big stretch.
Others will bemoan the absence of Leonardo DiCaprio for “Revolutionary Road.” I’m not one of those people. Again, ugh.
And, of course, I’m irritated by the absence of Philip Seymour Hoffman for “Synecdoche, New York.” I know many people didn’t like the movie, but it would be nice if the Oscar folks could at least appreciate the performance. Sigh.
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