Where we stand: Best Actor in a Leading Role Part II

Yesterday I started looking at our contenders for Best Actor, and due to the fact that I was running long and also because it was getting really late, I cut it off without touching on many of the men most likely to get in. So that's where we're picking up today, starting with none other than...

Morgan Freeman in Clint Eastwood's "Invictus". The Oscar-winner is probably a sure-fire nominee for several reasons: Clint Eastwood film + Nelson Mandela + story about racial unity amid old fashioned politics/laws = Oscar wet dream. Take into consideration that Freeman is a recent Oscar-winner, but not TOO recent (a la Sean Penn in "Milk") for the Academy to be willing to give him a second statue.
And since we're on the subject of second statues, let's talk about a contender who does have one: Daniel Day-Lewis in "Nine". Now, I think Day-Lewis still has a chance, seeing as he's coming off of a recent win, and instead of going into seclusion for five years, he's doing something he's never done before: a musical. The problem? The impressive female cast (namely Cotillard and Cruz) could steal all of his thunder...and by thunder I mean awards. That, and the performance may actually be very good, but may feel too light compared to the performances he's known for. In a film likely to grab a boatload of nominations, Day-Lewis could find himself getting nothing beyond a Golden Globe nomination.
One of the more interesting performances to watch this awards season is Viggo Mortensen in "The Road". The long-delayed film is FINALLY coming to theaters at the end of this month, and word so far has overall been positive, but not ecstatic. But what's truly surprising is that more people aren't at least behind Mortensen. The man certainly has his supporters from those who have seen the film at festivals, but there are a few who feel that he isn't good enough, whether due to his own fault, or weaknesses in the film. Mortensen was nominated for the first time recently (for "Eastern Promises" (2007)) and could ride his way to a nomination based on left-over love from 07-08. Even with his handful of doubters, Mortensen still has a strong shot not just because of the positive support, but because his performance is in the hands of the Weinsteins, who, if they feel strongly enough about his work, will campaign the hell out of him. If the film is moderately successful, Mortensen's chances could possibly skyrocket.
Mortesen is someone who has only been nominated once, but there are those out there who haven't even been nominated at all. Case in point: Colin Firth in Tom Ford's "A Single Man". Firth has a lot going for him at the moment. The film has been very well received at festivals, and Firth won the best actor award at the Venice Film Festival (I think that's right...I need to double check). The film was so well received in Toronto that the Weinsteins, ever the Oscar-hounds, snatched up the film and made it a big 2009 priority. Toss in a bunch of reviews claiming that this is Firth's career-best performance, and buzzed-about supporting performances from Julianne Moore and Matthew Goode, and it makes a potent mix.
Speaking of people who haven't been nominated before, there's Christopher Plummer in "The Last Station". There hasn't been too much early word on the film, but what word there is is good. Throw in Plummer's veteran status and the film's late-in-the-game release, and we could be looking a surprise contender. However, Plummer does face internal competition, namely Helen Mirren (who won best actress at the Rome Film Festival). Plummer also has "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus", which has received mixed reviews, though Plummer overall has been given good notices. He isn't likely getting nominated for the role, but having two well-liked performances in one year doesn't hurt. On the other end of this spectrum is Ben Whishaw in "Bright Star". I wouldn't be surprised to see Whishaw get nominated in the future, but this one is doubtful. His performance has received "nice" reviews, but not nice enough. Plus, co-star Abbie Cornish is the one who has been getting the best notices, so unless the Academy just goes crazy over the film, don't expect for Whishaw's name to show up too often during awards season. He might have a shot at the Golden Globe nod, but for now, that's about it.
Moving back into "popular" territory, let's have a look at George Clooney. Now, I'm not a friend of Clooney's Oscar-winning performance in "Syriana" (2005) or his nominated work in "Michael Clayton". However, the Academy disagrees with me, and with "Up in the Air" (one of my most anticipated of the year) earning raves for Clooney and the rest of the cast, and Clooney's popularity in the Academy, look for him to be in the running for Best Actor yet again.
Last but not least is our recent addition to the race: Jeff Bridges in "Crazy Heart". If the performance gains enough momentum he could be a major player thanks to his four prior nominations (no easy feat) and the fact that he hasn't been nominated in a while.

That's all for now, stay tuned for updates on our next acting category: Best Actress in a Leading Role.