Oscars Predictions 2017: Best actor

The top male acting award is next on our list. Among the list of performances we have a talented musician, two troubled family men going through tragedies, a working class man who tears his family apart and a brave young man fighting for his country and refusing to give up his beliefs. Who takes the Academy award for best actor? We have our say.

Nominees:

Caryn

Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic

I know he’s not the favourite choice and highly unlikely to win but Viggo Mortensen gave one of my favourite performances of 2016 in Captain Fantastic. In one role, he was more nuanced than many other actors of his generation, he told a story that was so multidimensional in a way that made us both rebuke and empathise with his character.

Dean

Denzel Washington – Fences

Having starred in over 100 performances of the Fences stageplay and of course directing the film adaptation, you’d think that Denzel Washington might just let some fatigue set in. But you’d be horribly wrong. He knows this material backwards and forwards and it definitely shows. You get lost in his performance. All the actors should be commended for their amazing work on this film, as should Denzel. I think he deserves this one.

Jeslyn

Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea

Chelsea Handler announced on Valentines Day, that if you’re feeling miserable and alone, you should watch Manchester by the Sea. Casey Affleck plays Lee Chandler who has the worst life. I don’t know how he physically gets out of bed in the morning. Casey Affleck should win best actor for an interestingly restrained performance and just for keeping sane during the making of this depressing movie.

Stephen

Denzel Washington – Fences

I’m sticking with Fences here and betting on Denzel Washington to take the big prize. He’s proven himself to be a highly skilled director, adapting this stage play with great skill and craftsmanship.

But he also delivers one stunner of a performance, which says so much more about his ability as an artist in general. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Affleck or Garfield take this award either, but I’m going to keep my bet with Washington.

Tendai

Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea

From the moment I saw the trailer, I saw gold for Casey Affleck. Ryan Gosling will fall short here to Casey Affleck. Casey Affleck has had an outstanding career and there are times you think he should get the nod because he was that good in the film, This is it! He is winning this one. The journey he takes throughout the movie teaches you the reality of life. One day you are living your life, doing what you do then next moment you are responsible for another human. Casey Affleck for the nod!

Vernon

Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic

No other male, except Denzel, has a fighting chance at this award – but I think Viggo has shown such growth in film over the past 15 years. My favourite of his is as brave gangster in Eastern Promises and then in another David Cronenberg film – A History Of Violence – just awesome. In Captain Fantastic he melts my heart in more ways than 1 and he is totally believeable as this man trying to keep his family together whilst steadfastly holding onto his beliefs and principles, faced with fierce reluctance and a quiet resilience in the wake of his wife’s death.

What is your prediction for Best actor?

Check out our previous predictions posts here:

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Original Screenplay

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Adapted Screenplay

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Song

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Score

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Sound Editing

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Film Editing

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Visual Effects

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Cinematography

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best Animated Feature

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best supporting actor

Oscars Predictions 2017: Best supporting actress

 

For more film ramblings, you can follow us on Twitter:

Caryn @carrieanne07

Dean @deeno15

Jeslyn @jeslynczee

Stephen @thesnagel

Tendai @TendaiSibindi

Vernon @VernonKallis

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