My Pick for Best Actor

This contest is, for me, by far the most difficult to choose a winner. My top two are so good in their respective movies that I have to say I will be fine if either wins, and I do think it comes down to them- the other three are probably just happy to be nominated.

5. Richard Jenkins- The Visitor

Richard plays Professor Walter Vale, an isolated man who pretends to be busy but is in fact just drifting along in life without any real passion until he finds two immigrants living in his apartment. It is a wonderful role, and it was written especially for Richard, who has been a character actor in supporting roles for his whole career. It is really nice to see an older actor get the respect he finally deserves, and hopefully this nomination will help him see more leading roles. Unless my #1 and #2 split the vote evenly, I think it is very unlikely for him to win but I am happy he was recognized.

4. Frank Langella- Frost/Nixon

Frank plays Richard Nixon during the most famous political interviews of all time that take place after his resignation while he is on the lecture circuit "reducing the presidency to a series of witty anecdotes." Nixon loved money, and when British talk show host David Frost (as played by Michael Sheen) comes along and offers $600,000.00 to interview him, Nixon agrees, thus forgoing the other major interviewers of the time (Mike Wallace, etc.) in the hopes that Frost is a "puff piece" interviewer. Because Nixon is such an indelible figure with an easily recognizable look and accent it is hard to get passed those flaws in the movie if they are not done in such a way where you can ignore them and just enjoy the performance. Frank looks nothing like Nixon, and the voice is almost right, but those two things can be a bit distracting when watching the film. Frank projects a seriousness and a sadness onto Nixon that resonates, but I do not think the role is flashy enough for him to win the big prize.

3. Brad Pitt- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Brad plays the title character, a man born dying who goes out an infant, aging backwards throughout his life. It is such a joy to see him get recognized by the Academy after being woefully ignored in Seven and (especially) Fight Club. Like Langella as Nixon, the role of Benjamin is not flashy; rather, he observes throughout the whole movie- life moves in spite of him instead of around him. I happen to enjoy observing roles which is why he is so high on my list, as well as the fact that he carries an almost three hour movie heavy on visual effects. Brad's skill is not in his quietness as Benjamin (though he is superb in that), but his ability to play an old seven year old, and other phases of his life where his looks and age clearly do not match up. Some Academy voters, however, may not be able to separate the unbelievable visual effects from his performance, which will probably result in his loss.

2. Sean Penn- Milk

Sean plays Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official ever elected in the United States (as city manager for a part of San Francisco) who is brutally murdered by a jealous and failing rival manager. Sean is simply extraordinary in the part, and is especially impressive considering the only major physical changes he goes through to play Harvey are a change of clothing (it was the '70s and Harvey liked tight clothes) and a change in hairstyle. He still looks like Sean Penn, but in an instant he transforms into this incredibly charismatic and warm human being who did so much for so many. This may be shallow, but the only reason I am not picking him as my number one actor is because he already won an Oscar for Mystic River a few years ago. If he had not, I would myself write a letter to the Academy pleading for him to win. That being said, he is certainly a genius enough actor to be awarded with double Oscars, so I will certainly be cheering if he wins.

1. Mickey Rourke- The Wrestler

Mickey plays Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an aged wrestler who is desperate for a comeback and down on his luck and his health. Mickey has both the charisma to pull off being a former famous pro wrestler, entertaining huge crowds, and the sensitivity to play a man who has been broken and battered but refuses to give up. It is an incredible role and I cannot even imagine another actor even thinking about playing it. The fact that this movie has yielded both his first Oscar nomination and his comeback from years of self-destruction makes the movie even sweeter, but in no way is Mickey playing Mickey. There is no mistaking that he is The Ram, as the audience feels every punch he takes, no matter how staged or metaphorical it was.

All images found via Google Images.