Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight
A very strong crop of actors, four of whom are already mourning the fact they gave these great performances the same year Daniel Day-Lewis played Abraham Lincoln. Yes, Day-Lewis will win; SAG, BAFTA, and dozens of other wins not withstanding, he is the most renowned actor in this category, playing one of the most recognizable figures of all time, and giving one of the best performances of his career in the process. He will win. Obviously. And that will make me happy; he more than deserves it.
Will and Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Emmanuelle Riva, Amour
Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild
Naomi Watts, The Impossible
A race that seemed fairly set has been shaken a bit in recent weeks, for although Jennifer Lawrence did take home the SAG award and numerous other titles on this year’s circuit, Emmanuelle Riva’s recent BAFTA win has some pundits thinking momentum may have shifted in her favor. It is not a bad theory, given the sheer amount of love the Oscars clearly have for Amour and the fact that Lawrence was not competing with her at the SAG awards, but in the balance, I still think this is Lawrence’s race to loose. As much as the Academy respects Amour, they clearly love Silver Linings Playbook as well – it is the first film in a very long time to get nominations in all four acting categories – and Lawrence appears to be their one serious shot to give it a win. I think that consideration, combined with the industry-wide admiration for Lawrence – both as an actress and in this performance – will give her the win this Sunday.
Will and Should Win: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
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