Clooney: the Oscars’ ‘Hillary Clinton’

On the eve of Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, two of the candidates for best actor have written off their chances because they believe Daniel Day-Lewis is a dead cert. George Clooney, star of Michael Clayton, told Time magazine. "There is no way Daniel won't win. For me, it's like being Hillary Clinton. If it weren't for Barack Obama, it would have been a very good year."

Viggo Mortensen, up for Eastern Promises, told the Guardian: "I don't know why I was included this time. I certainly haven't gone out and done the campaign that one is supposed to do." As for Day-Lewis's towering performance in There Will Be Blood, Mortensen says: "I'm realistic. I know I'm the odds-on favourite to remain seated throughout the ceremony."

Mortensen is probably right, but Clooney's modesty may be misplaced. Around Hollywood, there's a murmur that Day-Lewis may not be a shoo-in among Academy voters: his performance is too actorly for some and while the film is powerful it is not considered 'a good night at the movies'. Michael Clayton does fit that bill, however, and both it's writer-director, Tony Gilroy, and star, George Clooney, are Hollywood favourites.

A Clooney/Day-Lewis upset is not the only possibility being discussed. The First Post has compiled a 'favourites' list based on critics' first choices published in the past few days in Britain and America - and a unique 'alternative' list based on an analysis of critics' second choices and industry comment:

THE FAVOURITES:
Best film: No Country for Old Men
Best director: The Coen Brothers
Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis
Best actress: Julie Christie
Best supporting actor: Javier Bardem
Best supporting actress: Cate Blanchett

ALTERNATIVE LIST:
Best film: Michael Clayton
Best director: The Coen brothers
Best actor: George Clooney
Best actress: Marion Cotillard
Best supporting actor: Javier Bardem
Best supporting actress: Amy Adams