The Academy Awards are widely considered the most prestigious and anticipated award show in the film industry, and the 92nd awards will take place this Sunday, Feb. 9.
Each year the most talked about and coveted awards are the four acting awards, Best Picture and Best Director. Based on the other major award shows of this season, here are my predictions of the winners in these six categories.
BEST PICTURE — This award may be harder to predict considering Best Picture is only a category in two other award shows: the Critics’ Choice Awards, which went to “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood,” and the BAFTAs, which was won by “1917.” The Golden Globes separate the award through comedy and drama categories, with the Best Motion Picture Drama going to “1917” and Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy going to ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” In this crowded category with two frontrunners, this is the only major category that isn’t completely predictable, and it’s simply a matter of whether the Academy will go with a drama or a comedy.
BEST DIRECTOR — Of the five nominees in this category, four are highly esteemed and regarded directors, particularly by the Academy. While all these films and their directors have been critically acclaimed, the favorite seems to be Sam Mendes who took home the award at the Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. Before his wins, Mendes was not a clear favorite, but the wins have established him as such. His use of long takes to make “1917” appear as if it was filmed as one continuous shot has been praised and noted by many. A surprise win could go to Bong-Joon Ho for his work on “Parasite.” Ho tied with Mendes at the Critics’ Choice Awards, but it seems more likely that Mendes will not be sharing this award.
BEST ACTOR — After three losses, Joaquin Phoenix is likely to win this award for his performance as Arthur Fleck, better known as the Joker, in “Joker,” after winning all four awards leading up to this Sunday’s ceremony. His only challenger appears to be Adam Driver, whose performance in “Marriage Story” was lauded by many along with his nominated co-stars.
BEST ACTRESS — Like some of the frontrunners in the other categories, Renée Zellweger has received the other three major awards for her role as Judy Garland in “Judy.” It would be shocking for her to not receive an Academy Award as well. Like her “Marriage Story” co-star, Driver, Scarlett Johansson seems to be the only challenger, though it would likely be a controversial win.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR — In a group of well-established and beloved actors, Brad Pitt is the only one to not have an Academy Award for acting. However, it is likely that he will be taking home his first this Sunday for his performance in “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.” Despite his stiff competition, Pitt has won the Golden Globe, Critics Choice, BAFTA and SAG Awards for his performance in Tarantino’s ninth film. It seems highly unlikely that he’ll be challenged, but his fellow nominees have all established themselves as Academy favorites so while it would be surprising, a loss for Pitt wouldn’t be inconceivable.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS — The clear runaway in this category appears to be Laura Dern, a well-established and beloved actress in both television and film, who would be awarded with her first Oscar after two previous losses. Like Pitt, she has received the other four major awards for her role as a divorce lawyer in “Marriage Story.” While Florence Pugh has earned much praise and love for her first nomination for “Little Women,” this award seems to already have Dern’s name already engraved on it.
With the Academy Awards wrapping up the awards season, the awards given out can be quite predictable based on the winners in previous award shows, but it’s still worth watching for the chance of snubs and surprises.