The Toronto Film Festival is helping clarify what could be the Oscar race for Best Actor 2024.
You know we already have Leonardo DiCaprio from “Killers of the Flower Moon” on the list. Cillian Murphy as “Oppenheimer” is a given. Colman Domingo is picking up raves for “Rustin” which opens here later in the day.
Yesterday we got confirmation of two other names: Jamie Foxx and Paul Giamatti. Foxx nails his role in “The Burial” with just charisma and acting chops that he definitely makes the top 10 if not top 5. Maggie Betts’ dramedy — which I’ll write more about tomorrow — is from Amazon and MGM. Tommy Lee Jones co-stars and these guys are magic together. My old friend Jurnee Smollett has a breakout turn as well.
Alexander Payne makes a gigantic comeback as director of “The Holdovers.” There’s lots to say, but Paul Giamatti must be nominated for Best Actor. I was thinking about “Billions” and how different from this his Chuck Rhoades character is. He’s one of our finest actors. “The Holdovers” will be all over awards season.
More tomorrow on these films and a couple more…
