This year’s Academy Awards ceremony looks like it will provide as much drama as some of the movies up for the big prizes. Unlike last year, obvious choice of American Beauty for Best Picture and several other awards, the current Oscar race involves a plethora of talented individuals and memorable films.
The Oscar ceremony airs this Sunday at 7:00 PM on ABC. Here is a guide to who will win and who should win on Oscar night:
Best Picture
Chocolat, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Erin Brockovich, Gladiator, Traffic
Will win: Gladiator The Russell Crowe-led epic has all the momentum, and with a Best Dramatic Picture victory at the Golden Globes and 12 total nominations under its belt, it will be hard to beat. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon has been a critical darling, but will have to make do with an Oscar Best Foreign Language Film.
Should Win: Traffic By far the best film of those nominated, Traffic features a terrific ensemble cast, flawless directing by Steven Soderbergh, and a no-holds-barred approach to the war on drugs. It must be mentioned that the Academy made a horrific mistake in failing even to nominate the year’s best film, Almost Famous. After a Golden Globe for Best Picture (Comedy) and several top prizes from critics, Cameron Crowe’s funny and touching film seemed a lock for at least a nomination and is the only movie truly deserving of the Best Picture Oscar.
Best Director
Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot), Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Ridley Scott (Gladiator), Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich), Steven Soderbergh (Traffic)
Will Win: Ang Lee Lee’s brilliant vision brought the lightning-fast fight scenes and beautiful landscapes of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to the screen. The man behind the year’s most visually appealing movie will not be denied an Oscar. It is rare that the awards for Best Picture and Best Director go to two different movies, but it looks like that will be the case this year. Steven Soderbergh’s impressive two nominations in the same category will actually work against him. His fantastic work in Traffic might have given him the prize, but his nomination for Erin Brockovich will take away the votes he needs to win in what is clearly a tight race.
Should Win: Ang Lee Though both Lee and Soderbergh are deserving for their finely crafted and visually stunning films, the edge goes to Lee for his fantastic vision of the lives of ancient Chinese warriors and the amazing fight scenes that on their own make Crouching Tiger worth watching.
Best Actor
Javier Bardem (Before Night Falls), Russell Crowe (Gladiator), Tom Hanks (Cast Away), Ed Harris (Pollock), Geoffrey Rush (Quills)
Will win: Tom Hanks This is probably the category that is hardest to call, but Hanks’ dominating performance in Cast Away, which featured him on-screen alone for over an hour, should bring him his third Oscar. Harris and Crowe are also serious contenders in this tight race.
Should Win: Tom Hanks His performance was so strong and believable that is difficult to deny that he deserves another Oscar. Audiences could almost feel his desperation and loneliness on the deserted island, as well as his elation when he returned home. With another Oscar under his belt, Hanks will firmly solidify his status as one of America’s all-time great leading men.
Best Actress
Joan Allen (The Contender), Juliette Binoche (Chocolat), Ellen Burstyn (Requiem For A Dream), Laura Linney (You Can Count On Me), Julia Roberts (Erin Brockovich)
Will Win: Julia Roberts In what is the easiest race to call, Julia Roberts will run away with the award for her turn as real-life legal crusader, Erin Brockovich. Roberts is the closest thing to a lock that there can be in an Oscar race, and it would be shocking to see anyone else take home the prize.
Should Win: Julia Roberts Brockovich features what is unquestionably Roberts’ best performance to date. She single-handedly made the movie.
Best Supporting Actor
Jeff Bridges (The Contender), Willem Dafoe (Shadow of The Vampire), Benicio Del Toro (Traffic), Albert Finney (Erin Brockovich), Joaquin Phoenix (Gladiator)
Will Win: Benicio Del Toro His strong turn as Traffic’s Mexican lawman should earn him an Oscar that will also serve as a symbol of the Academy’s appreciation for the movie’s terrific ensemble cast. Albert Finney’s role as a gruff lawyer in Erin Brockovich will give him a chance at winning, but Academy voters will probably figure that his role was greatly enhanced by Julia Roberts’ stunning performance.
Should Win: Joaquin Phoenix The most deliciously evil villain of the year was Phoenix’s Emperor Commodus. His delivery on many memorable lines (who could forget “I am terribly vexed” and “Am I not merciful?”) was impeccable. While he realistically stands little chance of winning, it would be nice if the Academy awarded an Oscar to Phoenix, who truly brought life and vigor to his role.
Best Supporting Actress
Judi Dench (Chocolat), Marcia Gay Harden (Pollock), Kate Hudson (Almost Famous), Frances McDormand (Almost Famous), Julie Walters (Billy Elliot)
Will Win: Kate Hudson Hudson’s star-making turn in Almost Famous as “Band-Aid” Penny Lane will bring her the award and continue the Academy’s trend of awarding promising young actresses in this category, such as Mira Sorvino and Angelina Jolie.
Should Win: Kate Hudson In bringing Penny Lane to the screen, Hudson showed us a character who is both na?ve and confident, social and solitary. This brilliant performance will hopefully be the first of many for the talented, charming and beautiful Kate Hudson.
Best Original Screenplay
Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous), Lee Hall (Billy Elliot), Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich), David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson (Gladiator), Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count On Me)
Will Win: Cameron Crowe Since Almost Famous got snubbed for Best Picture and Best Director, the Academy should feel obligated to award Crowe’s outstanding semi-autobiographical script. Lonergan’s You Can Count On Me screenplay is the only other serious contender, but Crowe’s well-received script for a much better movie should win out.
Should Win: Cameron Crowe Almost Famous featured a script that was simultaneously funny, serious, believable and heartfelt. Crowe’s nostalgic look at life and music in the ’70s is the only nominee deserving of this award.