Clint vs. Leo: A Best actor Showdown

Heres the way I see it.

On one hand you first need to look at the critical support for both of their films. Gran Torino is recieving reviews from all over the critical spectrum. It's been called a B movie, a low brow comedy, and a one note movie starring a Clint Eastwood doing his novelty grumpy old man schtick.However, in some corners it has been met with prasie for it's screenplay and mostly for Eastwood's preformance. Revolutionary Road's reviews have pretty much mirrored that of Gran Torino's, running hot and cold as well, with the consensus being that while Road is a handsome film showcasing decent direction by Sam Mendes, and three powerhouse performances including DiCaprio's, the film is marred by a depressing tone and a weak screenplay that is unable to capture the depth of it's source novel.

Critics Wise: It's close, but while Gran Torino the movie has recieved a few more good reviews, Leonardo DiCaprio's performance has been hailed as a revelation of talent far more often than Eastwood's performance has.

Winner, Round One: Leo

During the precursor season is when most contenders break-out and begin their march towards the Kodac Theatre in Hollywood. However, what happens when the majority of the awards with one or two exceptions goes to the same two actors ? Well, that is precisely what has happened this year with Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke who have each collectively picked up almost every critical precursor award. Clint Eastwood's name has been mentioned three times this season during the awards pre-run. He started in a blaze of glory by winning the NBR Best Actor award, and having Gran Torino and Changeling appear on the top ten list, which bodes well for the vet. Gran Torino also won the screenplay award which does not bode well for the film.Since the NBR, Eastwood was nominated but lost with Chicago and has only gotten one more nomination to his credit. Best Song for Gran Torino. Leo's showing has been just as dire throuout the precursor season. He recieved a Sattelite nomination, which counts for nothing as that group didnt even nominate Daniel day-Lewis last year, and he recieved a Golden Globe nomination, a key nod that Eastwood did not recieve, at least not in the right place. When both Leo and Clint missed the SAG shortlist, they were both thrust into immediate danger.

Awards Wise: Clint has won a critics precursor, Leo has not. Leo recieved a globe nod, Clint did not. Leo's movie has recieved more precusor love, however it is mostly directed towards his co-star

Winner, Round 2: Clint

History is the last important factor in this race, heaven knows the Oscars are always preoccupied with it. Paul Newman won Best Actor after several losing bids because he was old and he was playing a weary old man, leaving the more deserving Bob Hoskins out in the cold. When Al Pacino finally won, it was the same situation, he was old and he played an old blind man. This left Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr., Stephen Rea and a younger Eastwood out even though all of them except Eastwood had delivered bettwer performances.Eastwood is an old man playing a grumpy, old racist man. Leo is a young man, playing a repressed young man. The Academy tends to favor young mostly in the actress category, and unfortunately for Leo he aint a woman.The oscars also tend to look at the number of nods before awarding an actor.Clint has lost twice for two roles in two best picture winners that he won best director for, so he certainly doesnt need another oscar, but the enticing factor that this is his swan song may be too much to ignore. Leo on the other hand has recieved two best actor nominations for Blood Diamond and The Aviator and one supporting nod for What's Eating Gilbert grape. He was also snubbed for The Departed and Titanic, which may be in the voters minds since he is teaming up with Winslet once again.Clint has never been snubbed for acting, in fact most would argue that he has ben over rewarded. In 2004, his inclusion left off Paul Giamatti who gave 2004's most lauded performance. In 92' his nod for Unforgiven came as a complete shock to those who thought Anthony Hopkins was in for sure.So history both helps and hurts them.

History Wise: Old men are oft rewarded by the academy. Young men are snubbed until they win their body of work oscar as old men.

Winner, Round Three: Clint

So who wins the bout ? Technically Clint, as I kept my oppinion of both performances out of this fight. Personally, for me, Clint played a cursing, old racist who is funny and dies in the end. Not much of a great performance to be found, though I love Clint's films and thought he was very funny in Gran torino. For me, Leonardo DiCaprio gave the best performance by an actor in 2008. He raged and screamed and cried and laughed. He played a weak, insecure man who only felt like a real man when he was out in the world. and for Leo's brave performance he deserves an oscar.
So who gets the nomination ?
I'm going with my gut feeling on this one. Despite history, critics, and the precursors evidence, I'm going with my instincts and saying here and now that Leo will get a nomination. In the end, I might be proven wrong and made to look like an idiot, but I'm not going to predict that someone who gave such a powerful piece of acting will be snubbed. I cant do it.
Leonardo DiCaprio will be nominated along with Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, Brad Pitt and Frank Langella. Richard Jenkins will be snubbed, Giamatti style to much chargrin, and Clint Eastwood will get his due from the music branch by being nominated for Best Original Song.