After breaking down the Best Picture category and giving my prediction on the Best Actress award, it's time to take a look at the Best Actor category. This group of nominees contains a couple of established legends along with a few newcomers who are looking to make their mark with their first Academy Award. Here are my breakdowns of each of these actors' performances:
Daniel Kaluuya 'Get Out'
Daniel Kaluuya is an up-and-coming actor who definitely has the potential to become a huge star in the next couple of years. However, his performance didn't really stand out to me in "Get Out."
His acting while getting hypnotized and entering the Sunken Place was exceptional, and probably the main reason why he was nominated in this category.
I think Kaluuya is a deserving nominee, but I don't think he's on the same level as the other Best Actor nominees.
Denzel Washington 'Roman J. Israel, Esq.'
It wouldn't be an Oscars ceremony without Denzel Washington. "Roman J. Israel Esq." was probably the least enjoyable movie I watched in preparation for the Academy Awards, but Denzel's performance prevented the movie from being unwatchable. Washington made the most out of his confusing character, and this film was set up to showcase his brilliance as an actor. However, I don't think Denzel will be taking home his third Oscar with this performance.
Daniel Day-Lewis 'Phantom Thread'
"Phantom Thread" is the movie that essentially caused Daniel Day-Lewis to retire, and it's easy to see why after watching this film.
Day-Lewis' character is a haunting sociopath that continually destroys the lives of those around him, and he executed it perfectly.
His character in "Phantom Thread" is reminiscent of his character in "There Will Be Blood," which was also directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Day-Lewis won an Academy Award for his performance in "There Will Be Blood," but I don't think his performance in "Phantom Thread" is quite on the same level.
It'd be fantastic to see Daniel Day-Lewis ride off into the sunset with an Oscar in his hand, but unfortunately, I don't think it's going to happen that way on March 4th. Hopefully this isn't the last movie we see featuring one of the greatest actors of all-time.
Timothée Chalamet 'Call Me By Your Name'
Timothée Chalamet was given the most difficult role out of all these nominees, and he made the most of it.
Chalamet has a wonderful scene where he and his co-star Armie Hammer try to show each other how straight they are, even though it's obvious they are in love with each other. Chalamet also makes love to an apricot and feels immediate despair in what is one of the most captivating scenes of the year. Chalamet's conflict with falling in love with Oliver in "Call Me By Your Name" is so well done, and this performance would take home an Oscar in most years if it wasn't for the brilliance of Gary Oldman.
Gary Oldman 'Darkest Hour'
Playing the legendary Winston Churchill is a challenging role, but Gary Oldman's brilliance makes him a shoo-in to pick up his first Academy Award win. Oldman does a fantastic job of capturing all of Churchill's quirks and mannerisms, and the transformation he goes through in this film makes "Darkest Hour" one of the best movies of the year.
The scene involving Churchill riding on the subway in order to take a poll on what he should do leading up to Dunkirk is the defining moment of the film, and it would've fallen flat without the talent and execution of Oldman. Oldman's performance in such a career-defining role and should allow him to make an acceptance speech at the Oscars ceremony.
Prediction
According to Vegas, Gary Oldman is an enormous favorite to take home the Oscar in this category, and I wholeheartedly agree that he gave the best performance of any actor this year.
