Oscars 2021: Ranking The Nominated Performances From Worst To Best
13. Sacha Baron Cohen - The Trial Of The Chicago 7
Sacha Baron Cohen finally makes it onto the acting ballot at the Oscars for the role of Abbie Hoffman, one of the Chicago 7 on trial for inciting a riot. Cohen actually has a previous nomination for writing the first Borat film and is a dual nominee this year for Trial of the Chicago 7 and for writing Borat's sequel.
Cohen is the heart of Trial, bringing an immature yet passionate energy to the film who is given some of the best lines that are often hilarious. He also manages to delve into some deep and emotional beats that audiences and voters alike aren't necessarily used to seeing from the comedic actor.
The ensemble for Trial is large and so many of the performers could have, and perhaps should have been recognised from Mark Rylance to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. It's a shame because Cohen isn't obviously better than anyone else in the film, he is just as good as his peers. Yet it is just him that is recognised in the nominations.