Best Actor

They are tasked with bringing the characters on screen to life and to establish the emotional connection that allows viewers to care about what happens to them on screen. Their names alone can bring instant credibility and interest to their films and ultimately make watching a movie an enjoyable experience. The nominees for best male actor in a leading role are...

Richard Jenkins as Prof. Walter Vale (The Visitor)(1st Nomination)- Jenkins gives a stirring portrayal of a man given a second chance to rediscover purpose and meaning in life. He plays a stereotypical intellectual professor who, following the death of his wife, is unable to find any meaning or purpose to his everyday existence. However, his resigned outlook on life is shattered when he finds some unexpected guests in his apartment who remind him of the importance of friends and bring new passion back into his life. (Chances of Winning=None)
Frank Langella as Pres. Richard Nixon (Frost/Nixon)(1st Nomination)- To say that Langella perfectly captures the aura and persona of disgraced ex-President Nixon would be an understatement. His portrayal of Nixon's ferocity, dry sense of humor and intelligence marred only by social awkradice is compelling beyond explanation. His performance also turns what could be a dry political drama into a tense game of cat and mouse that would make most thrillers and action movies jealous. (Chances of Winning=Very Good)
Sean Penn as Politician Harvey Milk (Milk)(5th Nomination/1 Previous Win)- The brilliance of this performance cannot only be seen in the actual portrayal, but also in the distance of this character from Penn's other roles. He completely emerses himself into the persona of the openly gay politician and never misses a beat. From his meager beginnings as a free spirit shopkeeper trying to earn a living in the face of intimidation to his ascencion to political power and ultimate demise, Penn brings an emotion, passion and comic touch to the role that is impossible not to appreciate. (Chances of Winning=Very Good)
Brad Pitt as Benjamin Button (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)(2nd Nomination)- The ability to play a character across a wide age discrepancy is a feat that few actors are able to pull off successfully. From an 80 year old baby to a 1 year old elder, Pitt is able to bring an interesting blend of worldly naivety along with a desire for adventure and answers to this especially unique role. This could be an example where the role outshone the actor playing it, but Pitt is capable and in the end that is enough. (Chances of Winning=None)
Mickey Rourke as Wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (The Wrestler)(1st Nomination)- Hailed as the comeback of Mickey Rourke, and I couldn't disagree. Rourke has openly admitted the parallels between this character and his own life, and the heartwrenching degree to which he captures the emotion of being on top of the world followed by the precipitous drop to rock bottom is scary. For a person who has built their whole life's meaning and purpose around one thing, what happens when that thing is taken away? or when the grandeur of the spotlight stops highlighting your greatness and insteads showcases your blinding shortcomings? When the acclaim has passed you by and all you are left with is a person in the mirror who you don't recognize or respect what happens? After watching this movie it might be a little clearer thanks to Mickey Rourke. (Chances of Winning=Very Good)

Quick Thoughts:
This is one of the few categories where I have no complaints regarding the nominees. As far as I am concerned there were 7-9 nominee worthy performances this year and I would have included all 5 of these on that list (I definitely thought that Eastwood deserved the nomination over both Pitt and Jenkins though). However, despite that fact, Pitt and Jenkins don't need to worry about preparing a victory speech because their reward is the nomination, as this is and has always been a 3 man race. Langella, Penn and Rourke's performances are all head and shoulders above everybody else, and one of them will be taking the trophy home... The only question is which one and to that I say your guess is as good as mine. My preference would be Langella but I am unable to make a case against either of the other two.


Who I Would Have Nominated:
Leonardo DiCaprio (Revolutionary Road)
Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino)
Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon)
Sean Penn (Milk)
Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)