Leading Actor 1998

Finally I get to one of the most controversial acting wins ever, honestly. I remember that I thought Hanks was going to win his 3rd way back in 1998 only to be surprised by Benigni winning. It wasn't completely shocking as for some reason Hollywood fell in love with his awful schtick with all his appearances on TV. But that's the power of Miramax in the 90s and I'm sure if the Academy voted on it today, they'd quickly change their vote. I've not seen 3 of these, including the winner so I'm looking forward to how it will play out for me.

1998 Best Actor

Roberto Benigni - Life is Beautiful

Ah, Roberto Benigni, the fool who embarrassed his way to an Oscar win and the stage itself. It's hard to not let prejudice seep into a review even before I've actually seen the performance. I hated his persona from the Oscar race even back in 1998 and there are many people I've read online who I respect that still call this win a travesty and feel the Academy were duped by his campaigning and nuzzling up to Hollywood. So obviously after watching the actual film and performance, how do I feel about Benigni now? I don't hate the performance for one thing. It's a very annoying portrayal, no doubt, but I can absolutely understand the appeal. Benigni turns in a slapstick performance that's a throwback to the old Hollywood days. He talks a mile a minute and is hyper active, constantly in motion doing all sorts of things much like a clown or circus entertainer. It's dedicated performance but it's purely entertaining in the first hour, after that it does take on a bit more meaning and depth but I don't really know if I'd call it Best Actor worthy. The whole Holocaust thing is weird even if I do understand what he was trying to do with the film and making it a game for his son to survive and not be affected by the awful place. Thing is, the mucking it up becomes grating after awhile, even draining as for two hours he does the same rapid fire jokes and gesticulations and comedy bits. It's overpowering in a bad way though I give him props for trying something so daring even if I'm not sure he knew it was daring. I also can see why the Academy voted for him (besides the campaigning) because it hearkens back to old Hollywood and reminds me of a lot of screwball performances. This isn't the worst nominee ever, though I question it being included here, but is certainly not a good winner in my book, especially when this category had other more worthy candidates to replace him with. I am glad that I've finally watched it so I can weigh in on all those internet debates!

Tom Hanks - Saving Private Ryan

This is trademark Tom Hanks acting. I'm sure other might point to Apollo 13 or Forrest Gump or maybe another film, but I feel this has set the stage for his acting ever since. It hits all the right notes in a performance from one of the greatest living actors ever. He's the consummate leader, fair and moral, and even with his faults and moments of weakness he shines bright as a more than capable man. His performance is full of humility and intelligence and he does seem to come off like your favorite teacher or coach. Hanks brings the realism without slopping it on and making the character too sappy or too stern or too much like a character in a film. He also is great at the comedic moments that are warm and human, bringing much needed levity to a very serious film without disrupting the tone of the film. Hanks also excels at the physical demands of the role. He never looks out of place commanding a unit and doing all the things necessary to look the part of a soldier. His running around, firing weapons, yelling on the battlefield under intense fire, directing his troops, being the leader at all times - he's as good a soldier as you'll find. I read that Hanks took this role very seriously and it shows in the reverence of his performance. There's not much else I can say about it other than it seems very familiar when you watch it 18 years later since the performance is so Tom Hanks. I don't think that should be a knock against him, though, since it is a great one. This was my favorite to win back in 1998 when I was watching the ceremony only to get that embarrassing display by Benigni. No doubt this is one of Hanks' best in a career full of bests.

Ian McKellen - Gods and Monsters

It's surprising that McKellen hasn't won an Oscar yet, especially with the iconic characters he's portrayed through the years. And when he has an exceptional film like Mr. Holmes and doesn't get nominated, you wonder what's up with the Academy. McKellen plays James Whale, the director of the Frankenstein movies of early Hollywood who has suffered a stroke and is gay and inviting young men over to be sketched and hopefully disrobed.I know that makes it sound kind of awful but it's an interesting little film, for sure. McKellen is good at portraying all the underlying chaos in Whale's life without outwardly showing any of it. He's dealing with the effects of his stroke and is in pain and turmoil from being lonely yet this is communicated in subtle ways that is done effectively by McKellen. He's sort of a calm actor where it looks like he's not doing much yet with the way he delivers a line or gives a certain look, he says all that he needs to say about the character. It's a comfortable performance from McKellen which is his greatest strength as an actor, quickly and easily inhabiting a character and making them his own. The ending scene really shows off what McKellen is capable of in the film and it's the most flashy part of a non flashy film and performance. This is by no means a wow type performance, just a steadfast piece of acting by McKellen. I like the fact that McKellen was finally nominated here even if this one wasn't going to win because he deserved a nomination for his career. This one might get overlooked and that's okay, but there's no denying McKellen is a gifted actor.

Nick Nolte - Affliction

I always get Nick Nolte and Gary Busey confused. I'm glad this was Nolte, though, because he's the better actor.I was unsure of what to write for a long time, mostly because I wasn't sure how Nolte's performance registered with me. It's always easier to write about someone if you really love what they did or really hate what they did. This performance is somewhere in the middle. There's parts I like and parts I dislike which I think leaves me a little ambivalent about Nolte here. He plays a small town cop in New Hampshire whose personal life is not going well and then takes on trying to solve a hunting accident. I feel like Nolte's acting style has to be an acquired taste. He's very gruff with his raspy voice and his mannerisms which make him seem like he's either detoxing or trying to hide an illness. I know that sounds kinda weird and vague but you'll catch him with his hands in his pockets during scenes and I'm not entirely convinced that's a deliberate choice for the character. His more tender and intimate moments with his girlfriend and daughter all ring a bit hollow which I think might be the point because his character is such a mess mentally and is dealing with a lot of anger because of his childhood. He's a pathetic character that everyone else seems to either despise or not respect, so Nolte plays him as this sad sack guy with a lack of self confidence, failing at every chance to impress people (his daughter, ex-wife, father, etc.). As the film goes on, Nolte ratchets up the intensity which is where I think he does his best work with the character. The character becomes increasingly agitated and paranoid and angry about what's going on around him until he finally explodes. I think Nolte is effective at getting the intent of the character across but it just simply doesn't do much for me. It's not a bad performance at all, just one that doesn't resonate with me no matter how hard I tried to connect with him. I'll have to see if his other nomination does anything for me now.

Edward Norton - American History X

I was looking forward to re-watching Norton because I knew that this could possibly end up as being my choice for the winner and I needed to see if that still hold true. Yeah, it still holds true. Norton gives a powerhouse performance, one that is both quiet and electric at the same time. He plays a neo-nazi skinhead in the flashbacks and a reformed skinhead in the present. I think the structure of the story allows Norton to show off his range as we see three different versions of his character. We get the very early high school kid before his father is killed who is a brilliant student, then after his father dies he deals with his anger by becoming a skinhead and living that lifestyle. Then in the present he is reformed and out of jail and trying to get his life straight and his brother to join him. So there are these different moments of his character that Norton gets to portray and he is just as convincing at the sensitive ones as he is at the hardass, nazi ones. He's actually very charismatic as the neo-nazi especially when he's spouting off his rhetoric and comes off as a natural born leader. He's all bulked up with a shaved head and goatee and big swastika on his left chest totally looking the part with ease. Just as naturally that he can pull off being a skinhead, he is able to transition into being a normal, levelheaded person who is keenly sensitive to the effect his actions has had on his family and others. He can have these intimate moments with his family and in prison after being raped with his old teacher that show the humanity that is still left inside of him. Contrast that to the pure evil we see when he makes the black guy who was burgling his car bite the curb so he can stomp him to death and you see just how effective Norton is in the role. He's able to combine the two elements into one cohesive performance that is incredibly strong despite a weak film around him. Norton is certainly in consideration for my winner because of this great performance.


For a group that was somewhat mired in controversy, the Academy managed to vote for the one I least liked overall. Benigni has his moments where he is funny but that just can't be sustained over a 2 hour film that's partially about the Holocaust. Nolte edges him out because he is a bit more tolerable even if his performance doesn't do much for me at all, either. McKellen is as good as usual, giving a really interesting performance that I liked. Hanks is my runner up because I think Norton just out does him but Hanks is also very good. Norton just does a tremendous job and should be rewarded for that. All in all, not a bad category with some really strong performances. Plus, I got to finally say I've seen Benigni and can argue about that without being a fraud!

Oscar Winner: Roberto Benigni - Life is Beautiful
My Winner:  Edward Norton - American History X
Tom Hanks
Ian McKellen
Nick Nolte
Roberto Benigni