A Reel Opinion: Oscar Picks - Part 1

The 93^rd Academy Awards are finally upon us; honoring the best achievements in film in the unprecedented year that was 2020. With a pandemic left to run amuck, theatres across the world were shuttered, sending our beloved movies scattershot to who-knows-what streaming service, making many of this year’s nominees unseen and unheard of. Despite this, we still have some excellent films and performances to consider. In this first part of Oscar Picks, Reel Speak will pick the winners in the acting categories. 

 

Best Actress

This is the most difficult category to pick this year, with Viola Davis from MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM and Carey Mulligan from PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN the two favorites. Mulligan has been honored with nearly 30 awards for her performance this season, but Davis’ surprise win at the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) in this category makes her the new favorite. If the vote is very close, it could allow Frances McDormand from the Best Picture favorite NOMADLAND to sneak in. McDormand has won here twice, and Davis just won in 2016 for FENCES. A win for Mulligan would be her first, and the Academy does love those first-time winners. 

 

Winner: Carey Mulligan

 

 

Best Supporting Actress

No film in 2020 got shafted as much as MINARI. The film about a South Korean family trying to make it in the rural U.S. in the 1980’s was expected to be another PARASITE (last year’s Best Picture winner), but the lack of big-screen time and wide release has had it flying under the radar. The favorite here is Yuh-Jung Youn, who has won in this category at SAG and the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). It’s rare that someone doesn’t complete a sweep, so MINARI will get some deserved recognition in this category. 

 

Winner: Yuh-Jung Youn

 

 

Best Actor

Speaking of sweeps, the late great Chadwick Boseman is primed to complete a sweep of his own. The Academy loves those big emotional moments, and this is a lock to be one of them…and it would be well-deserved. This will be a tribute to not only Boseman’s electric performance in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, but to the millions of lives he has touched in his BLACK PANTHER role. Grab the tissues. 

 

Winner: Chadwick Boseman

 

 

Best Supporting Actor

Another clear-cut pick, as Daniel Kaluuya is also in position to complete a sweep, having won at SAG, BAFTA…and Golden Globes. His co-star Lakeith Stanfield could sneak in, but this is all Kaluuya. 

 

Winner: Daniel Kaluuya

 

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Read Reel Speak's picks in the elemental categories leading to Best Picture HERE

The 93rd Academy Awards will be held this Sunday.