I recently found myself engaged in an intense Oscar discussion with noted Gold Derby Senior Editor Denton Davidson. Denton and I have been talking awards together for over a decade, and our text message exchanges would actually make for a fascinating book someday. As we were analyzing this year’s Best Actor race, I noticed one omission in his predictions.
“Denton, Paul Giamatti is definitely getting in for ‘The Holdovers,'” I confidently stated.
“And why is that?” he questioned with the keenest curiosity.
And then I realized that I had another Gold Derby article on my hands. For Denton — plus all of you dedicated Derbyites. Here are five reasons why Paul Giamatti will finally earn his first Best Actor Oscar nomination, for Focus Features’ “The Holdovers.”
1. He’s Paul Giamatti.
He’s appeared on Broadway. But never became a Broadway star. He has billions (well, it seems that way) of film and television credits to his name. Yet he’s not a stereotypical movie or TV star. I’ve actually spotted him on the streets and in restaurants in New York City a number of times, and he’s able to walk and eat without being noticed. That’s because he’s just like anyone else. He just happens to be an actor. More specifically, an actor’s actor. Someone who possesses a passion for the art of acting — and couldn’t care less about the fame that happens to come along with it. At the Academy Awards, it’s actors who nominate actors. And actors will go for Giamatti. He’s one of their own.
2. He delivers a career-best performance.
He’s been doing spectacular work for decades, so I don’t make this statement lightly. In his latest film, Giamatti plays history teacher Paul Hunham at a fictional New England boarding school in 1970. The role sounds like a cliché, and in other hands it might have been. I must first give credit to David Hemingson for his marvelous script. (Those words don’t just come out of thin air.) And as for Giamatti … it’s as if Paul was born to play Paul. He beautifully projects the character’s intelligence, integrity and independence. At the same time, he shows his surliness, solitude and sorrow. Giamatti never overacts or overreaches. He just brings life to Paul with aching and beautiful honesty.
3. He’s overdue for a bookend nomination.
Twenty years ago, Giamatti was very much in the Oscar conversation for his splendid work in “American Splendor.” While he missed out on a nom, he earned a shout-out from eventual winner Sean Penn in “Mystic River” in his acceptance speech. The following year, he seemed positioned to make his way in for “Sideways.” He was tragically left out, even as the film, director Alexander Payne, and supporting cast mates Thomas Haden Church and Virginia Madsen all received Oscar invites. Giamatti would finally score a spot for Best Supporting Actor for 2005’s “Cinderella Man.” Unfortunately for him, George Clooney‘s turn in “Syriana” made him the belle of that ball (even though Clooney himself acknowledged that it was a consolation prize to make up for his eventual Best Director loss for “Good Night and Good Luck”). Getting back to this year, I dare say that good luck is finally on Giamatti’s side. The academy won’t let him be sidelined again.
4. “The Holdovers” will be a major Oscar contender.
Best Picture of the year. Best Director for Payne. Best Supporting Actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Best Original Screenplay. Maybe Best Film Editing. The film is expected to reap nominations across the board. The strong support for “The Holdovers” should ensure that the academy holds a place for Giamatti in the Best Actor lineup. And speaking of which …
5. He stands out from most of this year’s Best Actor hopefuls.
Consider the gentlemen most likely to make the cut. Bradley Cooper in “Maestro.” Leonardo DiCaprio in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Colman Domingo in “Rustin.” Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer.” The combined glamour quotient is enough to set off an explosion. Many older members will be drawn to Giamatti’s unique combination or ordinary looks and extraordinary acting. He’s like a holdover from a different era. Only this time that works in his favor, bringing Giamatti a long overdue Best Actor nomination for “The Holdovers.”
PREDICT the 2024 Oscar nominees through January 23
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