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I’ve officially compiled a list of every Oscar-nominated performance that I believe to be a case of category fraud.
As it stands, there are 122 (out of the 1661 performances nominated since the introduction of the supporting categories). I’ll be posting 1 per day in this thread.
As it stands, there are 122 (out of the 1661 performances nominated since the introduction of the supporting categories). I’ll be posting 1 per day in this thread.
NOTES:
1. Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
Won S, belonged in L.
Screen time: 34.21%
He has nearly as much screen time as Leonardo DiCaprio (only 3.7% less), and his story is equally as prominent. They exist independently from each other and are co-leads.
Won S, belonged in L.
Screen time: 34.21%
He has nearly as much screen time as Leonardo DiCaprio (only 3.7% less), and his story is equally as prominent. They exist independently from each other and are co-leads.
2. Margot Robbie (Bombshell)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 24.18%
Kayla and Megyn’s stories are given equal attention throughout the film, culminating in an overlap during which each character affects the other’s arc. Furthermore, Theron only has 10% more screen time.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 24.18%
Kayla and Megyn’s stories are given equal attention throughout the film, culminating in an overlap during which each character affects the other’s arc. Furthermore, Theron only has 10% more screen time.
3. Emma Stone (The Favourite)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 48.03%
No need to explain this one. The role ticks ALL the boxes on the list of what it means to be a lead, and its supporting placement makes zero sense outside of studio greed.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 48.03%
No need to explain this one. The role ticks ALL the boxes on the list of what it means to be a lead, and its supporting placement makes zero sense outside of studio greed.
4. Rachel Weisz (The Favourite)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 35.90%
Simply put, the film has three leads. Despite having the least screen time, Weisz has plenty, and her Sarah controls the narrative just as much as Abigail, and moreso than Anne.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 35.90%
Simply put, the film has three leads. Despite having the least screen time, Weisz has plenty, and her Sarah controls the narrative just as much as Abigail, and moreso than Anne.
2018 - 2019 recap
(Wherein I discuss performances that are sometimes or often cited as category fraud but I actually think were placed where they belonged.)
(Wherein I discuss performances that are sometimes or often cited as category fraud but I actually think were placed where they belonged.)
5. Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.55%
This isn’t just Moonee’s story. It’s the story of a makeshift family, and the two parental figures are given more than enough narrative focus to be considered leads. (Further explanation attached.)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.55%
This isn’t just Moonee’s story. It’s the story of a makeshift family, and the two parental figures are given more than enough narrative focus to be considered leads. (Further explanation attached.)
6. Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.73%
Dixon is an undeniably dynamic and independent character with relatively high amounts of screen time and narrative focus (which, in the second half, are equal to Mildred’s).
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.73%
Dixon is an undeniably dynamic and independent character with relatively high amounts of screen time and narrative focus (which, in the second half, are equal to Mildred’s).
7. Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.88%
There’s only one lead in most cat and mouse films, but here (where the true antagonist is nonhuman) the cat is just as prominent and emotionally complex as the mice, and we root for both sides.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.88%
There’s only one lead in most cat and mouse films, but here (where the true antagonist is nonhuman) the cat is just as prominent and emotionally complex as the mice, and we root for both sides.
8. Dev Patel (Lion)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 36.37%
If a lead role is split up, category placement depends on plot structure and performance length. Patel and Pawar each carry one of the film’s two acts and have almost equal screen time, making them both lead actors.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 36.37%
If a lead role is split up, category placement depends on plot structure and performance length. Patel and Pawar each carry one of the film’s two acts and have almost equal screen time, making them both lead actors.
2016 - 2017 recap
Only one performance to discuss this time, but it’s an important one!
Only one performance to discuss this time, but it’s an important one!
9. Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 31.40%
Compared to the other characters, Mike’s amounts of screen time and narrative focus don’t support an ensemble argument. Most importantly, he’s the emotional center of the film and his role is never passive.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 31.40%
Compared to the other characters, Mike’s amounts of screen time and narrative focus don’t support an ensemble argument. Most importantly, he’s the emotional center of the film and his role is never passive.
I also examined the numbers closely in this case and found that Mike spends 35% of his scenes away from the Spotlight team (compared to Robbie’s 23% and Sacha’s 14%).
10. Rooney Mara (Carol)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 59.67%
Placing Mara and Blanchett in separate categories was clearly no more than a ploy for awards, because there is no narrative explanation for it. The story is every bit as much Therese’s as it is Carol’s.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 59.67%
Placing Mara and Blanchett in separate categories was clearly no more than a ploy for awards, because there is no narrative explanation for it. The story is every bit as much Therese’s as it is Carol’s.
11. Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 49.88%
Like Felicity Jones the previous year, Vikander rises above the supportive wife role and embodies a three-dimensional character with nearly as much narrative point of view as her spouse.
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 49.88%
Like Felicity Jones the previous year, Vikander rises above the supportive wife role and embodies a three-dimensional character with nearly as much narrative point of view as her spouse.
2014 - 2015 recap
As you may have noticed, 2014 is the most recent “fraud-free” year, which means I agree with all 20 of the category placements.
As you may have noticed, 2014 is the most recent “fraud-free” year, which means I agree with all 20 of the category placements.
12. Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.11%
The 3 narrators here are all dynamic characters, each with their own objective. The whole point is that everyone thinks they’re in charge, and the attention given to each is equitable (see chart).
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.11%
The 3 narrators here are all dynamic characters, each with their own objective. The whole point is that everyone thinks they’re in charge, and the attention given to each is equitable (see chart).
13. Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 46.55%
Of all the film’s characters, Barbara has the most screen time and most dominant POV. She is essentially the vessel through which viewers experience the dysfunction of the Weston family.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 46.55%
Of all the film’s characters, Barbara has the most screen time and most dominant POV. She is essentially the vessel through which viewers experience the dysfunction of the Weston family.
14. Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 40.12%
I’ve seen this argument used too liberally, but it needs to be said about Schultz: There is no story without him, mainly because he leads a great deal more of the action than Django himself.
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 40.12%
I’ve seen this argument used too liberally, but it needs to be said about Schultz: There is no story without him, mainly because he leads a great deal more of the action than Django himself.
15. Helen Hunt (The Sessions)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.66%
I ended up putting a lot of thought into this one, so I’ve had to attach my explanation separately:
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.66%
I ended up putting a lot of thought into this one, so I’ve had to attach my explanation separately:
2012 - 2013 recap
Only one performance to discuss this time, but I had a lot to say!
Only one performance to discuss this time, but I had a lot to say!
16. Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.57%
As George’s love interest, Peppy’s role is smaller by comparison, yet still more than prominent enough to warrant lead placement. The plot is, after all, centered on their rising star/falling star dynamic.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.57%
As George’s love interest, Peppy’s role is smaller by comparison, yet still more than prominent enough to warrant lead placement. The plot is, after all, centered on their rising star/falling star dynamic.
17. Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 54.76%
Though Rooster is a lead character, Mattie is even more of one (with 10% more screen time). Far too often, children are forced to go supporting just because they’re children, and it simply isn’t right.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 54.76%
Though Rooster is a lead character, Mattie is even more of one (with 10% more screen time). Far too often, children are forced to go supporting just because they’re children, and it simply isn’t right.
I should clarify: It’s Steinfeld who has 10% more screen time than Bridges. Mattie the character has 14% more than Rooster.
2010 - 2011 recap
18. Matt Damon (Invictus)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.45%
With their respective screen times being so close (5.3% difference) and the narrative focus on each of their characters being practically equal, Damon and Freeman should undoubtedly be considered co-leads.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 29.45%
With their respective screen times being so close (5.3% difference) and the narrative focus on each of their characters being practically equal, Damon and Freeman should undoubtedly be considered co-leads.
19. Christopher Plummer (The Last Station)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.09%
Placement-wise, there’s no logical reason to separate Tolstoy & Sofya. Their relationship (and each of their relationships with Valentin) being so integral to the plot classifies them as leads.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.09%
Placement-wise, there’s no logical reason to separate Tolstoy & Sofya. Their relationship (and each of their relationships with Valentin) being so integral to the plot classifies them as leads.
2008 - 2009 recap
Yes, 2008 is another fraud-free year!
Yes, 2008 is another fraud-free year!
20. Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.29%
No explanation needed. Ford is clearly a leading role and Affleck was only placed in supporting because he had a more famous male co-star.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.29%
No explanation needed. Ford is clearly a leading role and Affleck was only placed in supporting because he had a more famous male co-star.
21. Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 23.66%
What makes this antagonist a lead? He has more scene presence than either protagonist and consistent individual POV throughout the film. And, Moss isn’t exactly an honorable protagonist anyway.
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 23.66%
What makes this antagonist a lead? He has more scene presence than either protagonist and consistent individual POV throughout the film. And, Moss isn’t exactly an honorable protagonist anyway.
22. Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 40.73%
Though he has less screen time than Archer, Vandy holds his own with plenty of narrative focus. Of the two, he is the one who more appropriately fits the traditional description of a protagonist.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 40.73%
Though he has less screen time than Archer, Vandy holds his own with plenty of narrative focus. Of the two, he is the one who more appropriately fits the traditional description of a protagonist.
23. Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 56.24%
Dench’s (4 minute longer) role as narrator is truly no more prominent when Blanchett’s scenes away from Dench, and her own arc, are factored in. They are co-leads here, pure and simple.
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 56.24%
Dench’s (4 minute longer) role as narrator is truly no more prominent when Blanchett’s scenes away from Dench, and her own arc, are factored in. They are co-leads here, pure and simple.
24. Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.52%
I know it’s an uncommon idea, but I’m of the opinion that this film has five leads. (Please read the attached detailed explanation.)
Nom S, belonged in L
Screen time: 33.52%
I know it’s an uncommon idea, but I’m of the opinion that this film has five leads. (Please read the attached detailed explanation.)
25. Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.60%
Effie and Deena have equal screen time and equally important roles. The film’s first half is centered on Effie, with large portions of the second also consistently devoted to her narrative.
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 39.60%
Effie and Deena have equal screen time and equally important roles. The film’s first half is centered on Effie, with large portions of the second also consistently devoted to her narrative.
26. Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)
Won L, belonged in S
Screen time: 34.63%
(Please read the attached explanation.)
Won L, belonged in S
Screen time: 34.63%
(Please read the attached explanation.)
27. Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada)
Nom L, belonged in S
Screen time: 26.22%
Though more like Terence Fletcher than Idi Amin in that she isn’t purely villainous, Miranda is another antagonistic mentor with too little POV and presence compared to Andy to be a co-lead.
Nom L, belonged in S
Screen time: 26.22%
Though more like Terence Fletcher than Idi Amin in that she isn’t purely villainous, Miranda is another antagonistic mentor with too little POV and presence compared to Andy to be a co-lead.
2006 - 2007 recap
28. George Clooney (Syriana)
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 21.83%
By my criteria, I conclude that this 4-storyline film has 3 leads. All 3 main storylines take up enough of the runtime, are comparatively equitable, and each actor has enough leading presence within his own.
Won S, belonged in L
Screen time: 21.83%
By my criteria, I conclude that this 4-storyline film has 3 leads. All 3 main storylines take up enough of the runtime, are comparatively equitable, and each actor has enough leading presence within his own.
