The number one reason why Leonardo DiCaprio won't win the Best Actor Oscar this year is Chiwetel Ejiofor. It's understandable because Ejiofor gives a great performance as Solomon Northup, and giving 12 Years a Slave multiple awards will assuage the guilt that Academy members have for not allowing more minority voters into their prestigious group. I'm not saying that 12 Years a Slave isn't a great movie (it is) and I'm not saying that Chiwetel Ejiofor winning the award qualifies as some sort of affirmative action, because in almost any other year the award would rightfully belong to him. For the reasons outlined above, I think the award SHOULD go to DiCaprio, but nevertheless this appears to be Ejiofor's year. Bruce Dern is always an outside choice because he is old and may not have the chance to win again, and Christian Bale gives an expert performance in American Hustle, but like McConaughey and DiCaprio, Dern and Bale's films haven't received the same buzz at 12 Years a Slave and don't feel as important to America (and American film). I'm all for 12 Years a Slave winning Best Picture, it brings to light so many important and uncomfortable truths, but I really feel that DiCaprio deserves the Best Actor Oscar this year. It's just too bad he probably won't get it. Long live the Oscarless DiCaprio meme.
Bryan Hickman is a WhatCulture contributor residing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Bryan's passions include film, television, basketball, and writing about himself in the third person.
