Oscars 2021: Predicting Winners In EVERY Category

Best Supporting Actor feels like one of the weaker categories this year but the one performance that does stand out is Leslie Odom Jr.'s portrayal of legendary singer Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami.

In a direct adaptation from the stage play of the same name, One Night in Miami tells the story of a fictional meeting of four great African American figures: Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke. While all the performances are well realised it is Odom Jr. (best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton) who is truly given an opportunity to shine as Cooke with the most compelling character development, a dedicated performance and an opportunity to show of his beautiful singing voice in a moving final scene.

Sacha Baron Cohen's performance as influential protestor Abbie Hoffman in The Trial of the Chicago Seven could be a contender for Best Supporting Actor but comedic performances such as his are generally not rewarded with Oscar gold. One leftfield turn the Academy could take is rewarding the relatively unknown Paul Raci's nuanced performance as deaf community leader Joe in Sound of Metal. This could be a major surprise in the Oscar race if the 72-year-old character actor with only a smattering of film and TV credits walked away with Best Supporting Actor but he certainly does have a fighting chance against Odom Jr..