Earlier this week I posted about a trio of last-minute Best Actress contenders. Now Fox Searchlight is throwing an exciting wrench into the Best Actor race by deciding to release its country-music drama Crazy Heart, starring Jeff Bridges in what’s said to be a career-best performance, in mid-December for awards consideration. Bridges is a four-time past nominee (his first nomination was 37 years ago for The Last Picture Show) and seems like the kind of guy who’s due for major recognition. And early screenings of the film have indicated that Bridges’ turn as an alcoholic crooner could just do the trick.
So what will this news mean for the Best Actor competition? Up in the Air’s George Clooney and A Single Man’s Colin Firth are the closest things we’ve got to locks at this point, while Morgan Freeman’s role as Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood’s Invictus seems quite promising as well. If Bridges is as much of a shoo-in as I’m hearing, then that leaves only one slot for the taking, meaning that most of the other top contenders—Nine’s Daniel Day-Lewis, The Hurt Locker’s Jeremy Renner, A Serious Man’s Michael Stuhlbarg, and The Informant!’s Matt Damon—could very well end up without an invite to the big show.
My colleague Nicole Sperling has the scoop on Crazy Heart’s official release date.
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I always get Jeff Bridges and Jeff Daniels confused. But I think I like Jeff Daniels a little more.
What a tool you are.
Speaking of tools…
That’s just like your opinion, man
Jeff Bridges is due big-time. If nominated, he should win.
Jeff Bridges needs to get his!
Uh Dave, isn’t it a tad early to call their performances “locks” if most of America’s film critics and barely any audience has even gotten a chance to witness them?
Buzz? Yes. Locks? Ha! Get serious, it’s barely November.
Amen to that – most of us haven’t even heard of these films yet. It angers me to think that some nominees could be “locks.” (although I recognize that the viewing public has no say in the matter. still, let’s wait til the movies are released, ok?)
Okay, I’ve heard this comment several times on this blog. Here’s the deal, just because you haven’t seen the movie doesn’t mean you can’t add up the buzz to see if it could get nommed. Get over it and play the game…
The problem is buzz is just buzz. Film Festivals, people and critics actually seeing the films, bad box office have a say here. I would also like to see the films.
There’s buzz going on in the industry that Dave sees that he don’t. As for the four locks, they are the performances that are seen as a good chance for taking the critics awards which will factor into the nominations. I definitely like Jeff Bridges, Morgan Freeman, and George Clooney as nominees. I think Clive will find himself nominee-less because I don’t think he’ll end up with the critic group awards he needs.
Yeah and Hilary Swank was a lock…until Amelia was actually released.
Ha!
George Clooney a lock for that little comedy? I loved Juno, but from the few spots of UitA I’ve seen, it certainly doesn’t look like a lock in any category. Have we forgotten what great acting is? Clooney playing Clooney will never earn him another Oscar.
Whenever I read the word “lock” in these articles I’m just flashing back to all the “locks” Australia had last year and snickering.
I think if the trailer says anything, Toby Mcquire (spelling?) looks pretty darn good in Brothers. Could contend this year if it turns out well.
Tobey Maguire does indeed look VERY good in Brothers, as do Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman. Would not surprise me at all if that film lands a few nods. Just look at Sheridan’s film In America, which got Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou nods.
What about the Messenger?
I don’t care if I haven’t seen the film yet, but Bridges for the win! I would say he’s more than due for an Oscar; he’s overdue. An otherwise dull race just got exciting…
Love Jeff Bridges.. However, I did just see the previews for “Brothers” and it looks strong as well.
Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors but I wouldn’t say he is due. I mean, he certainly didn’t deserve an Oscar for Starman or The Contender? I guess I’d be torn if he and Colin Firth were nominated, because Firth gives an outstanding performance in A Single Man.
I’ve always found Jeff Bridges to be an extremely boring presence onscreen. He just does nothing for me at all.
I hope Daniel Day Lewis gets a nod.
Jeremy Renner’s time is long overdue.
I don’t know much, but I do know that Daniel Day-Lewis hasn’t played a non-nominated role in over a decade. So let’s see if the boy can sing.
I loved him in Mirror has Two Faces. But it makes me feel old to see him so old.
he’s the dude, so that’s what you call him
that or the duder, or el duderino if youre not into the whole brevity thing
you guys are both idiots
Yes, those poor idiots paying quick, brief homage to what may well have been the most iconic role that this actor will ever play. Dave, “you are out of your element.’
I think johnny depp should be in the nomination spot for public enemies. Not a very good film but his performance is worhty
I love Jeff Bridges, but he shouldn’t win the award only because he is due to win one, he should only get it if he the most deserving this year.
The fact that Bridges was snubbed for Fearless should never be forgiven or forgotten.
Here, here. A terrific performance in one of my favorite films. I also loved him in Fabulous Baker Boys, Door In The Floor, and Fisher King (?) with Robin Williams.
Yeah, I can sense a lot of goodwill for Bridges. If his performance is really good, I think he’d be a good bet to win.
From your lips to Oscar’s ear. Jeff Bridges has to be the most under-recognized actor of his generation. I don’t think he’s ever given a bad performance.
Didn’t Robert Duvall already win an Oscar for portraying an alcoholic country crooner?
Don’t count out viggo mortinson for the best actor catagory
Peter Sarsgaard for An Education. Of course all the attention is going to the amazing Carey Mulligan, but his work in the film is very strong.
Peter will have to wait for old age for his Oscar moment.
Gonna be rooting for Jeff Bridges for a nomination and possibly a win…..who cares about George Clooeny….Matt Damon…or Daniel DAy Lewis….think the best contender to run along with Jeff would be Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker…
Definitely rooting for Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker. He was absolutely brilliant in that film.
What about Johnny Depp in “Public Enemies”?! I thought his performance was absolutely inspired. I also think Viggo Mortensen will definitely get a nomination for “The Road.” I actually think this might be Viggo’s year.
Johnny Depp definitely won’t be nominated. The film was a box office and critical disappointment (lots of 2 1/2 and 3 star reviews instead of 3 1/2 and 4 star reviews). One of the main things that was problematic for critics was Depp’s quieter-than-usual performance of Dillinger.
Viggo for sure
Jeff Bridges is an incredibly talented actor. Just rent and watch “Starman.” An amazing performance.
JEFF IS DUE for an Oscar and I wish him the best. He’s a great actor.
The Dude abides..
Jeremy Renner was amazing in The Hurt Locker
I havent seen Up In The Air, but Clooney looks awesome in it. That ive seen so far though Renner has been the best. He was outstanding, his co-stars need nominations too. Johnny Depp’s performance as John Dillinger is nothing to sleep on either. Benjamin Button wasn’t exactly a critical hit, but brad pitt still got nominated and i thought depp was better in public enemies then pitt was in benjamin button
Depp will easily get a golden globe nod, but ill still think he is oscar worthy maybe not to win. If you look at all the critics they loved Public because of Johnny he made the movie.
Am I the only one who loved Damon’s work in the Informant!? It was nothing like anything else he’s ever done. I think he’s a lock for a nod if anybody is.
And Bridges is the man. I’d love to see him win.