8. Christian Bale - American Hustle
If you were presently an actor, and you had the singular goal to win an Academy Award, my advice to you would be to call up David O. Russell and beg him for a part in his next movie. Over his last two feature films, David O. Russell has directed a record-tying seven Oscar-nominated performances (putting him in a 5-way tie with William Wyler for The Little Foxes (1941) and Mrs. Miniver (1942), Mike Nichols for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) and The Graduate (1967), Stanley Kramer for Ship of Fools (1965) and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967), and Warren Beatty for Heaven Can Wait (1978) and Reds (1981)), as well as three Oscar victories. In fact, Bale already knows the value of teaming up with O. Russell, winning Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dickey Eklund in O. Russell's 2010 film, The Fighter. In American Hustle, Bale plays the male end of the real-life husband and wife (Jennifer Lawrence) con artist team that was forced to work with an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) in order to con other con artists. Set during the 1970's, it sounds like the prefect material for David O. Russell's trademark madcap style. It will also likely prove profitable in terms of awards for the film's actors, which include Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Robert De Niro, Michael Pena, and comedian Louis C.K., along with the other aforementioned actors. The biggest obstacle for Bale's chances at a Best Actor nomination will likely be the large ensemble. If the roles are not clearly delineated, and Bale is not obviously the film's lead, than it may either lead to category confusion or a splitting of votes between Bale and his costar Bradley Cooper. For now, given David O. Russell's recent track record with actors, I like Bale's chances, but until the film is screened, his and his costars categorical placement may be an issue.