The Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the most highly anticipated in every ceremony.
Previous winners include icons likeDaniel Day-Lewis,Paul Newman,Henry Fonda, andMarlon Brando.
Redmayne’s performance is committed, butthe film reeks of Oscar bait.
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Thus, it’s frustrating that Oldman’s Oscar came for the most by-the-numbers Oscar-baity performance.
The acclaimed actor has delivered countless indelible and acclaimed performances.
The Oscar is supposed to be for “Best,” not “Most” acting.
His category was also stacked, with bothMorgan FreemanandJohn Travoltadelivering career-best work inThe Shawshank RedemptionandPulp Fiction.
Today, Hanks remains an audience favorite, buthis win forForrest Gumpisn’t exactly well-remembered.
However, his two back-to-back wins came for two mostly forgotten movies,Captains CourageousandBoys Town.
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Both wins are nothing to sing aboutand might even rank among Tracy’s weakest work.
There’s the weird optics of the story, which have aged somewhat poorly.
And, of course, there’s the wholeRex Harrisonsituation.
He grew accustomed to her face, but we will never grow accustomed to Harrison’s win.
The American actor prevailed at the 2019 ceremony, thanks to his performance in the 2018 biopicBohemian Rhapsody.
Unlike other wins, which might be flawed or overly safe,Malek is truly bad inBohemian Rhapsody.
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NEXT:The 10 Most Disliked Oscar Wins Ever, Ranked
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