Now that the dust has settled on today’s Oscar nominations, let’s take a look at six of the biggest acting snubs.
Robert De Niro (“The Irishman”)
Somehow former Academy favorite Robert De Niro got almost no love from awards bodies throughout the season. From missing a SAG (Screen actors guild) nod, to a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, De Niro’s campaign has really been a nom starter, with voting bodies preferring to focus in on the electricity of Al Pacino’s performance and the subtle yet frightening comeback of Joe Pesci. A shame for De Niro, as he delivers his best performance since “Silver Linings Playbook” as Frank Sheeran, a man who’s loyalty ultimately cost him everything.
Greta Gerwig (“Little Women”)
It’s felt over the past two weeks that many (myself included) have been willing Gerwig’s name to be called out come nominations morning. So although her absence is disappointing, it is not surprising given “Joker” director Todd Philips’ performance in other similar-sized voting bodies. However, her absence is greater felt given the film’s nominations for adapted screenplay and picture. Her wonderfully crafted re-telling of “Little Women” brought more nuances and personality to characters often left underserved by adaptations of the famous novel. Though the same ‘snub’ accusation could be laid bare for her partner and one time best director front-runner Noah Baumbach, who suffered the same fate (in original screenplay) for “Marriage Story”.
Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers”)
For more than a while, it looked set to be Laura Dern V Jennifer Lopez for the supporting actress crown, and the thought of JLo missing out was unthinkable. However, since losing the Golden Globe to Dern, an award she really needed to and was expected to win, coupled with her inability to campaign due to Super Bowl commitments, have culminated in probably the biggest shock of the day. Her live-wire, charismatic performance in “Hustlers” has been overlooked for more contained roles such as Scarlett Johansson in “Jojo Rabbit”, and although she scored both SAG, Globe, and Critics Choice awards, some may say the writing was on the wall with her absence from last weeks BAFTA nominations.
Lupita Nyong’o (“Us”)
After Toni Collette was never really considered for her performance in horror “Hereditary”, many believed the Academy would break their blind ignorance of the horror genre to nominate former winner Nyong’o for her incredible duel performance in “Us”. She landed SAG, and critics nominations but was left out in the cold by the Globes, BAFTA, and now the academy.
Awkwafina (“The Farewell”)
Another slightly major shock came in the form of “The Farewell” actress, and Golden Globe winner being left out of the lead actress category. Not as big of a shock as JLO given the Academy’s historic reluctance to reward ‘typically’’ comedic actors. Performance-wise this field doesn’t really have a standout, so the absence of Awkwafina’s beautifully funny, endearing, charming performance is a real blow. In fact, the lack of “The Farewell” throughout the nominations should be considered a real oversight for the Academy. Maybe they felt nominating “Parasite” was enough? Not good enough.
“Uncut Gems”
Quite simply it is ridiculous that the Safdie brothers breathtakingly original, stressful, chaotic, mad, masterpiece is nowhere to be seen in this year’s awards. From Adam Sandler in the best actor, through to the films incredible screenplay and direction, the fact it has been overlooked will be considered a massive oversight for years to come. In fact, both the film and its directing duo are the first NYFCC winner since 1988 (A World Apart) and the first BFCA nominee since 2001 (“The Shipping News”) to be shut out at the Oscars.