Leading Actor 1993

Great group of actors to watch. Let's dive in.

1993 Best Actor

Tom Hanks - Philadelphia

So here is Tom Hanks' first Oscar win, one of two in a row. As I discussed in the Forrest Gump review, I think a lot of people forget that this was the film he won his first one for. A lot of people might think it was Gump, honestly. But no, it was his turn as Andrew Beckett, a gay lawyer who is fired because he has AIDS and goes to court with the firm that fired him being defended by a homophobic lawyer who changes his beliefs in Denzel. That's quite the Oscar checklist right there and I'm surprised it didn't get a Best Picture nom to go along with this one. Hanks is a totally sympathetic character in this film and portrays Beckett with absolute tenderness. There are no big, overwrought pronouncements that screams Hanks is gay and flamboyant and all the typical cliches that go along with a gay character in Hollywood. Hanks plays Beckett as a normal guy who happens to be gay and dealing with AIDS who is unfairly fired from his job. I think that's part of what makes the performance hit a little harder is that Hanks makes Beckett completely relatable in a way that had never been seen in mainstream media at that time. I also think it's a big reason Hanks won his first Oscar. Yes, Hanks is terrific, but the moral stand voters were able to make by him winning was too good to pass up. That's made to look even better with Hanks' impassioned acceptance speech. This isn't to say it's the only reason he won, just a big factor in why he did win. You can look to the most memorable scene where Hanks is describing an opera for Denzel as the music dominates and the camera swirls and realize that a lesser actor would have completely blown the impact of that scene. You might even give him the Oscar for that scene alone it was so fantastic. So yeah, Hanks' acting is very much a big reason why he won here, too. One of my issues is that the director and I guess everyone involved didn't go deep enough into the gay thing. By that I mean, we never really see much affection between Hanks and Antonio Banderas. It can at times feel like just a man suffering from a disease and that's it, which is part of the message somewhat but the disease happens to be AIDS and I feel something more than kid gloves was necessary. I get that the era wasn't as open and accepting of homosexual themes and subject matter but Philadelphia deserved a bit more emphasis on the gay parts. I don't necessarily think that's a big fault of Hanks, he worked with the script and the times so I can't really neg him on that issue. I do think it's an important role that gets too often overlooked and forgotten about these days because it really was a pretty wonderful acting job by Hanks.

Daniel Day-Lewis - In the Name of the Father

My love for Daniel Day-Lewis has been discussed at length with his previous nominations and wins and this performance just continues that theme. I still think he's the greatest living male actor and I've never seen him give a bad performance, well maybe Nine but I try to forget that film whenever possible. However, when reviewing DDL for Best Actor this year, you also have to look at his work in Scorsese's The Age of Innocence. I had never seen that film before and I thought DDL did a tremendous job with his performance as the equivocating Newland Archer. It could easily have been what DDL was nominated for if not for this film. I do believe that DDL is better as Gerry Conlon, the falsely accused and imprisoned Irishman. He was said to have bombed a London pub for the IRA and was convicted because the British police wanted someone to pay for the crime. Day-Lewis' performance is a passionate one that rightly captures the intensity of the situation. He was just a young guy that wanted to live free and was a very minor thief, a guy that needed some direction in life. Just a young fuck up but not a hateful one. Day-Lewis perfectly shows off this youthfulness in the early parts of the film. He doesn't have much of a care in the world as evidenced by his setting off a riot in Belfast for being stupidly obtuse in the situation of Northern Ireland at the time. Once in police custody, DDL is able to brilliantly display the pain and frustration of being tortured and beaten for a confession. I'd say the best part of DDL's performance is when he and Postlethwaite are together. Their relationship as father and son is so convincing, you'd think they were really related. DDL also transitions from the aimless, oblivious young man into a hardened, fully aware adult while in prison. That transition is handled well as DDL becomes gung ho about the Irish injustice but then further realizes that violence and killing is not a good answer for it. His character goes through a roller coaster of emotions while in prison and DDL handles it all expertly. What we see is a man growing, instead of an actor working different scenes. Day-Lewis does a phenomenal job with a tough character and makes it look easy. Combine this with his other performance and you've got quite the year for DDL.

Laurence Fishburne - What's Love Got to Do with It

This performance feels like it was perfect for Samuel L. Jackson. I mean, honestly, Fishburne channels a Pulp Fiction Jackson before that was even an idea. Yes, it has a lot to do with his many uses of the word motherfucker, but also in the way he speaks and acts at times. Fishburne plays Ike Turner and we see his volatile interactions with Tina that frames her story. Unfortunately, Ike doesn't really have much to offer us. In the film, he's very one note - or I guess is that two note? We see him be the smooth talking band leader that moves from woman to woman promising all kinds of things to being the violently jealous pathetic man he really is. And that's it. That's not really Fishburne's fault that the story limits his character so severely but it's all we are left with to watch. We never know who Ike is as a person, his motivations other than the most basic money, power, sex stuff. We never even really scratch the surface for either character, especially for Ike, more like just giving it a nice dusting off. That's mostly why the film fails for me, it's just not that interesting and Fishburne is a victim of that. He's clearly the 5th nominee and was a surprise nominee on the day they were announced. Many people thought it might be Denzel or another actor in this spot. It's great that a black actor was given his due but I wish it had been for better, stronger performance. This one seems carried in on the strength of Angela Bassett. Fishburne is a good actor and he is far from terrible in this performance but it's something that definitely leaves you wanting more.

Anthony Hopkins - The Remains of the Day

I think it's easy to forget that Hopkins is a really skilled actor and diverse enough to be more than just Hannibal Lector. Having won two years previous for an iconic piece of acting, he came back this year in a few different, more classical roles. This nomination is as much for his work in this film as it is for his work in Shadowlands and a couple other films in 1993. His work in both of those films is very comparable but I'd definitely give the edge to his role as the head butler in The Remains of the Day. The word that sprang to mind immediately while watching him act was solid. He was an actor that was supremely comfortable in the role and in total control of his character. I was impressed because he wasn't just a stuffy, old British butler type. He imbued his character with some great humor and some warmth and some very firm convictions. I was surprised that I liked the performance so much because I was fully expecting a boring, typical butler role but Hopkins made it his own. He was very funny when trying to give the birds and the bees talk to Hugh Grant. The way he handled the death of his father was in line with what a head butler in the middle of a big dinner would have done. One of the better moments of the performance was when he was asked his opinion on something at one of the dinners and remarked it wasn't his place to say, only to serve but the scene dripped with so much unspoken hostility or just repressed emotion that I loved it. Both he and Emma Thompson have some great chemistry both as actors and as characters in this film. In Hopkins' pursuit to being the perfect butler, he misses out on really being able to enjoy his own life so he could better serve the House. Their flirtations never become realized and the sense of if he's doing the right thing haunt Hopkins which is ultimately what the film is about. It's a really tremendous performance that takes what could have been a snore of a role and makes it into this fascinating piece of acting. This one really gave me a better appreciation for Hopkins as an actor and I really appreciate that.

Liam Neeson - Schindler's List

This was a career definer. This is the type of performance you win an Oscar for and become an all time great for. When we talk about all time great Best Actor winners, this gets mentioned because it's so good. Except this didn't actually win Best Actor! How the fuck does that not happen?? Neeson IS Oscar Schindler and everything that comes with that connotation. He is every accolade you can throw at him. He plays Schindler pitch perfect. In the beginning, he's simply a conniving German businessman. He liquors up the Nazis so that they will become his friend and allow him to do business. He's always thinking 4 steps ahead and it shows. Neeson is perfect because he can be this big smiling oaf, yet instantly change into this intimidating man if need be. He has the gravitas to be more than just a business man. He is well suited to playing a hero because that's what Schindler is. He's disturbed by the German actions but never betrays his ulterior motives, always putting the business angle first so as to save himself and the Jews. Neeson is great at pressing the flesh and pretending to get along with these Nazi monsters. He's convincing enough to get away with almost anything, which is a great trait to have for this performance. To me, when you think of Schindler's List, what do you think of first? The ONLY thing I think of is Liam Neeson and his portrayal of Oscar Schindler. The two are synonymous with each other. Can you see anyone else playing this part? I can't and that's the mark of a great performance. I like that it maintains the businessman like quality of his past. There's not a striking, abrupt change for him to becoming the saint he is, it's one where he's still the businessman until the very end. He uses what he knows to help him save 1100 Jews and the heartbreaking moment at the end where he reasons he could have saved 2 more people for his Nazi pin is breathtaking. It crushes you knowing that some stupid gold pin could have saved 2 people's lives and he comes to the same realization. I like that the film didn't make him out to be this superhero figure that saved so many lives. He was a real person that was making money and also saving lives. He wasn't perfect but he did what was right. Neeson perfectly embodied the character and created such a memorable performance to boot.


As usual, another strong Best Actor group. I'm glad to have these tough decisions to make instead of disliking most of them. Even my 5th place nominee is still somewhat good and I can appreciate the performance. Fishburne is my 5th and is the clear 5th as everyone else is just at another level altogether. From here, it gets tough to choose. Neeson is undoubtedly my choice for Best Actor. But as for 2nd through 4th? Tough call. I think the Academy jumped the gun in giving Hanks a Best Actor this year, especially since they didn't know he'd follow it up the next year with another win and be a perennial nominee. Hanks could be my 4th but that might change the next time you ask me. As it is, 4th this year is not much different than 2nd. Hopkins right in the middle for a better than usual butler role and DDL coming in second for just another solid performance. I am loving having to watch this category over and over and I look forward to next year!

Oscar Winner: Tom Hanks - Philadelphia
My Winner:  Liam Neeson - Schindler's List
Daniel Day-Lewis
Anthony Hopkins
Tom Hanks
Laurence Fishburne