Sneak Peak: Best Actor - page 2

20-11-2008 10:20

In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America.

His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.

What is being seen as Mickey Rourke's comeback performance in The Wrestler gained massive support on the festival circuit as the film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, scooped the Golden Lion in Venice.

The Wrestler follows Randy 'Ram' Robinson, played by Mickey Rourke, a retired professional wrestler who was forced to quit after a heart attack threatened to kill him if he wrestled again.

Trying to move on Robinson starts working in a deli as well as moving in with an ageing stripper and trying to build a relationship with her son. But the chance of a rematch with his old nemesis Ayatollah proves too much of a temptation even though the fight could cost him his life.

Another festival favourite has been Benicio Del Toro for his performance as revolutionary Che Guevara in Steven Soderburgh's four hour epic, which has been split into two movies The Argentine and Guerrilla.

Also possibly in with a shout is Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road, which reunites him with his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet, and Brad Pitt is also a strong possibility for his role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button adapted from the 1920's story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.

And you cannot rule out Clint Eastwood for his turn in Gran Torino, his first acting role since Million Dollar Baby, but watch fro him in Best Director.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw