In early 2011, Leonardo DiCaprio was finally going to receive his fourth Oscar nomination, and possibly win the whole thing for his riveting portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover. A full campaign was launched to nab this generally generic biopic a Best Picture nod, and director Clint Eastwood's film looked primed for at least some technical nominations and a nod for Best Actor. The film was pushed on voters, and sometimes that's all you need. As the award season played out, DiCaprio was nominated by the Screen Actors Guild, the Golden Globes, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. The film even took home top ten awards from the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. Everything was lined up for Leo. Then the Oscar nominations were announced without his name being called.
Did it deserve to be nominated? Certainly not for Best Picture (or even Best Makeup), but DiCaprio's performance - one of his best - deserved more consideration. Then again, so did Michael Fassbender's in Shame.
It's basically criminal Leo DiCaprio hasn't won an Oscar yet. There's has been so many stunning performances of his, and I am impressed every time. Maybe Django Unchained or Great Gatsby will do it for him? http://randomfilmbuff.com/2012/04/01/why-hasnt-leonardo-dicaprio-won-an-oscar-yet-20/
ReplyDeleteHe should have an Oscar already, for sure. I don't think he'll win for Django or Gatsby, but who knows?
DeleteLove your post.
I had him pegged as my winner all year...until he wasn't even nominated. I mean, I even stuck to him as he was losing everything else because it just felt right. I still haven't seen this, and don't plan to.
ReplyDeleteI predicted him for most of the year, until maybe October or November (when I went with Clooney). Oh, you really should see it, just for Leo's performance. I'd give the film 3 stars. I thought it was much better than The Iron Lady. Not that it's hard to be though. ;)
DeleteIt's not DiCaprio's fault, but J. Edgar was just a bad movie. It felt like something you'd watch in school and that it's sole purpose was to attract Oscar voters. He was good, but when he finally does win his much deserved Oscar, I can see it being in supporting category, or for a role that's entirely original. (as in, not playing a real person like J. Edgar or Hughes) Just a hunch I have.
ReplyDeleteI agree. DiCaprio appears to be picking roles based on their Oscar potential, which doesn't always help. If you're great in a bad film, it can hurt you, unless you're Meryl Streep. I don't think he'll win for Django Unchained, but maybe he'll win for The Wolf of Wall Street, even though he's playing a real person.
DeleteHe's been flawless in almost every role presented to him. He honestly should have won a looooong time ago for his supporting role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape,and some recognition for The Basketball Diaries. And both those were early 90s. He's been suburb ever since.
ReplyDeleteI think Ralph Fiennes should've won for Schinlder's List, and I still need to see The Basketball Diaries. I agree he's (mostly) been in top form since though.
DeleteOh that film was such a mess. The only good parts in it were with the kidnapping plot, but everything else was so bad, especially the make up. DiCaprio was good, but in a movie with such a horrid script he wasn't even given much to work with.
ReplyDeleteAs I recall he wasn't nominated for Revolutionary Road either, for me this one should have been his win.
I agree. Kate Winslet was great in RR, but I felt like DiCaprio's performance was better.
DeleteDiCaprio was the only reason that film was worth watching. That said, I didn't hate the film.
DeleteI think he should've won for The Departed, but RR would've been a worthy win.
This seems to have Oscar bait written all over it, somehow that rubs me the wrong way. I might still give it a rent but I'll make sure not to see it when I'm feeling dozy, ahah.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Yeah, Oscar bait indeed. DiCaprio was terrific in it though.
DeleteThis is timely -- I just rented this movie and am wondering whether I have time to watch it. Do you recommend it?
ReplyDeleteIt's not a must-watch, but I'd recommend it for DiCaprio's performance. While the film is rather forgettable, he is phenomenal in it.
DeleteI believe when DiCaprio was up for nominations for Revolutionary Road, Fassbender was duking it out for a nomination for Hunger. Such was the case again this past year - both actors worthy of significant award attention.
ReplyDeleteJ. Edgar was definitely an Oscar bust for Best Picture - It was so long and tedious, I blacked out watching it. Leo was brilliant on the other hand, and he'll win one of these days.
That's a good point. I also wonder if Leo had a lot of #2-5 votes, but didn't have enough #1 votes to become eligible for a nomination. Perhaps he's been really close the last few times.
DeleteHaha. I didn't mind the film, but that was entirely due to Leo's brilliant performance.
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