No Oscar category will be as competitive as Best Actor. With the the surprising nomination of Bradley Cooper, the race just got a lot more interesting.
The only locks for this year’s Best Actor seemed to be Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything ) and Michael Keaton (Birdman). The final two nominations went to Steve Carell (Foxcatcher) and Cooper (American Sniper). The addition of Cooper no doubt threw a curveball into this year’s race, and he is no stranger to the Oscar’s. Cooper has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor (American Hustle) and Best Actor (Silver Linings Playbook).
He has yet to win an Academy Award, and likely won’t this year due to his stiff competition. It seems to be a two-horse race this year, as Redmayne and Keaton are heavy favorites.
Redmayne played the role of Stephen Hawking, and displayed an arsenal of emotion, brilliance and realism that is not exhibited by most actors. Meanwhile, Keaton played a former movie star looking to find his place after his career bottoms out. The struggle between Keaton and his inner voice is haunting, and he blends a combination of anger, happiness and greed into one powerful character.
The Best Actor race is as highly contested as it has ever been, and while there are favorites, just about anyone can walk away with the award, even Bradley Cooper.