Oscar breakdown: Who will win Best Supporting Actor?
It’s known as an award for the old-timers — a pat on the back for a career well done — and this year’s crop features some all time Hollywood greats. But Leigh Paatsch predicts this year will be different.
Leigh Paatsch
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BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Tom Hanks,A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci,The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
HEY, IT’S A NIGHT OUT, ISN’T IT?
This category traditionally skews towards the old-timers, the equivalent of a pat on the back for a career well done. Not the case in 2020.
Hopkins did the job asked of him, but it was a far cry from his best work.
As veteran warhorses hailing from the same stable, Irishman duo Pesci and Pacino cancel each other out.
Props to Pesci, though: great work for someone out of the game for so long.
DESERVES TO WIN, BUT WON’T
This is Hanks’ first-ever appearance in this category. Just as significantly, it is the first nomination he’s had from the Oscars crowd in almost 20 years (remember Cast Away?).
While fated to run an honourable second here, Hanks arguably had the toughest role of any listed, playing a figure so beloved in American culture (the late kids’ TV host Fred Rogers) he is virtually regarded as a saint.
AND THE WINNER IS ...
Brad Pitt. As one of the last of a fading breed of movie star, it is remarkable to think Pitt never won an Oscar in his pretty-boy prime.
Nevertheless, there is nothing better-late-than-never about his brilliant work in Once Upon a Time.
Pitt moved through every scene with a grace, a calm and a control of the highest calibre.
Likely he’ll give one of the best speeches of the night, too.
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