Geoffrey Macnab: My Oscar Favourites
Geoffrey Macnab: My Oscar Favourites
Show all 4Best film - True Grit
This category is the Grand National of the Oscars, withThe King's Speech and The Social Network the front-runners. My choice,True Grit is a beautifully crafted affair, that combines a majestic sweep with trademark Coen bros' black humour.
ODDS 20/1. Favourite: The Social Network (1/3)
Best director - Daron Aronofsky (Black Swan)
Whatever the story Aronofsky is telling, he attacks it in the same febrile, uninhibited way. Natalie Portman may give a bravura performance but her virtuosity is more than matched by his, via swooping camerawork, close-ups and horror-film style sequences.
ODDS 25/1. Favourite: David Fincher/Social Network (1/16)
Best Actor - Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
It would be perverse if Colin Firth's turn as the stuttering British monarch was ignored. The film takes a weirdly deferential approach to royalty, but Firth ensures that The King's Speech has heart and never seems like just another piece of British heritage cinema.
ODDS 1/20 (favourite)
Best actress - Annette Bening (The Kids are All Right)
Actresses in comedies don't often win awards. This year Bening, as a lesbian mum, is up against Natalie Portman and Nicole Kidman, who emote in a way that she doesn't. But hers is the outstanding performance – imperious, funny and moving.
ODDS 5/1. Favourite: Natalie Portman/Black Swan (1/9)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies