Predicting 2019’s Oscar winners

If you love film as much as I do, then most likely you’re already super excited about 2019’s award season. It’s ignited every year by the infamous Golden Globes, shortly followed by the BAFTAs and then, the final curtain – the show stopping event that has the ultimate say on who’s who in Hollywood, the Oscars. It might still seem like a long wait until we can see the red carpet littered with Hollywood’s A list talent, adorned in a plethora of high end fashion labels but let’s be real; we can kind of assume who the nominees will be already. However, with such a competitive year for outstanding films and performances, trying to predict who will win is proving to be a head scratcher. Here are my predictions…

By Lauren Haslett – Media Studies at University of Portsmouth

Best Film: Roma dir. Alfonso Cuaron

It’s such a tough category to call because there have been so many fantastic movies this past year which have delved into all sorts of social commentaries and explored many different creative avenues. Golden Globe winners and BAFTA nominees aside, the front runners for this year’s Oscars are definitely: Green Book, The Favourite and Roma.

If you haven’t heard of Roma, where have you been – and if you haven’t seen Roma yet, shame on you. Following the everyday life of a housekeeping nanny in 1970s Mexico, Roma explores how different social classes experience life and graphically touches upon taboo subjects that silently curse families across the entire world. With wide tracking shots and slow paced editing, Cuaron’s signature directing style and filming technique is what makes this film a masterpiece, and is ultimately what will win it its Academy Award.

Best Supporting Actress: Emma Stone, The Favourite

You can’t deny Emma Stone’s ability to snap between every major personality trait of her young character at the drop of a hat in Yorgos Lanthimos‘ The Favourite. Often flitting between falling in love, diving into passion, displaying subtle envy, being overtly manipulative and outright selfish; Stone’s portrayal of Abigail lead us on one of the most outrageous love triangles we’ve seen for a while on the big screen – and let’s not forget how she aced an English accent!

Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali, Green Book

Mahershala’s interpretation of Dr Don Shirley, a world renowned classical pianist who struggled with the racial injustices at the height of his career, is simply remarkable. Ali’s ability to deliver humorous one liners to his co stars, along with his captivating delivery of various monologues is a performance that will be studied by film students for generations to come. Arguably, put in the wrong category this year (Best Actor seems more appropriate), Ali really hits this performance out of the park, seriously leaving his competitors behind.

Best Actress: Olivia Coleman

Living up to its name, The Favourite has been at the forefront of the awards season so far. With such brilliant costumes, a stellar cast, witty and clever scriptwriting and some amazing music: there’s no doubt that it will steal the show. Olivia Coleman brings a natural embodiment of a spoilt Queen to the table, knowing exactly when to turn her charm on and off to get what she wants. It’s Coleman’s versatility that really sets her apart from her competition and her performance as Queen Anne is one that’ll make you laugh, make you cringe and make you pity such a privileged and indulgent member of the monarchy.

Best Actor: Christian Bale, Vice

Christian Bale is known for not hiding from a challenge and it it’s safe to say that he tends to deliver well received performances amongst both the public and critics alike. As someone who isn’t a stranger to totally transforming his appearance for a role, Bale confidently wears the skin of ex USA Vice President Dick Chaney to tell the story of one of the least liked politicians in American history. Bale’s authentic portrayal of Chaney is almost sinister, it’s like watching re-runs of interviews and documentaries of the Bush administration. It’s this element of art seeming to literally imitate life that makes Bale’s performance so believable.

But who knows? Sometimes, the Academy can surprise you – I’m personally hoping for another Moonlight, La La Land screw up!