Five world-class actors. Five tuxedos ready-pressed. But only one of these stars can win.
The Best Actor award is one of the highlights of the Oscars. But short of a last-minute controversy we know who is going to win. It’s Joaquin Phoenix portrayal of the joker in Joker. We don’t have a time machine, but every betting side around has him out so far in front the other nominees might as well stay at home.
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Oscars 2020: Who should win the Best Actor award?
Odds to win: 1/50
Bookies say Joaquin Phoenix has this one in the bag. It polarised reviewers, but almost everyone agrees Phoenix did a great job portraying the nascent Batman villain Joker. This was was the first R-rated film to earn a billion dollars at the box office.
Phoenix also lost 52lb to play the role, the kind of commitment that never hurts when up for an acting award. The $55 million budget is also very low for a movie in the “superhero” genre. 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises budget was $250 million.
2. Adam Driver in Marriage Story
Stream now on NetflixOdds to win: 16/1
A film in which we watch a relationship break down needs good performances. A Marriage Story has two great ones, those of Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver.
There’s an abundance of heightened emotion, raised voiced and anxiety-inducing misery. Painful memories of a broken home? Recently divorced? Relationship troubles? This might not be the film to watch tonight. But it’s the quality of performances and Baumbach’s direction that makes A Marriage Story seem quite so real.
Odds to win: 33/1
You may have seen Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood described as a story of a washed-up actor and his stuntman buddy. DiCaprio, who is up for the Best Actor prize, plays the star dealing with his rapid journey to becoming a has-been.
DiCaprio and Tarantino also worked together in Django Unchained, where he played a plantation owner rather powerfully.
Odds to win: 50/1
Missed Almodovar’s Pain and Glory last year? Most did, but we’re glad to see it represented in the Best Actor Oscars category. Banderas plays an ageing film director living a hermit-like life awash with painkillers.
We see him dig back through his childhood, and a love affair from his younger years, all through the thoughtful lens of a sensitive Banderas performance. It’s a semi-autobiographical story, with scenes and storylines inspired by moments in Almodovar’s past.
5. Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes
Watch now on NetflixOdds to win: 50/1
Pryce as Pope Francis was one of the best-cast roles of 2019. Director Meirelles even reportedly found out about the actor when looking up images of the real-life Pope. Try it yourself. There’s more than a hint of a resemblance there.
The film itself hangs on the two central performances, those of Pryce and Anthony Hopkins, and they help to obscure various issues with the script and pacing.
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