Ben Affleck Deserves A Best Actor Nomination For The Way Back
A Best Actor nomination is near the pinnacle of any actor’s career. The only thing to top it is winning. However, the thought of being viewed as one of the best actors for a given year in cinema is a prestigious honor in itself. Sometimes a lot of performances get overlooked. If that’s to happen to anyone this year, bet your last dollar that it will be Ben Affleck on the outside looking in.
That’s a damn shame.
We’ve seen Affleck win the Oscar before (Best Picture for Argo in 2012, Best screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997), but never have we seen Affleck win, or even receive a nomination for a Best Actor Oscar. With his performance in The Way Back, it’s about time that changes.
More Entertainment: All Positive Thoughts on “The Boys In The Band”
To be 100 percent honest, Affleck doesn’t stand a chance at winning the Academy Award. He’d have some stiff competition from Chadwick Boseman, Delroy Lindo, Anthony Hopkins, among others. There’s no way the Academy views his role in The Way Back as a winning performance. It’s possible he could win (because everyone that’s nominated seemingly has a shot), but he’d be a monumental underdog. None the less, he earned, at the very least, a nomination.
Given the Covid world, we live in, with the number of films that have hit cinemas this year, a wide release like The Way Back needs to be recognized by the Academy. The ideal, and most logical, nom is for Affleck. Almost perfection from him in the role of Jack, a troubled basketball coach looking to make things right in his life.
This role was that of a self-reflection for Affleck. His character suffers from a severe substance abuse problem. In real life, Affleck sought help for the same issue. The acting and emotion from his role as Jack all came from a real place. It made the performance much more believable. What we all look for in good acting, a transformation into the character. That was exactly what Ben Affleck did for us here.
It’s rare for actors to find that gut-wrenching role that has audiences on the edge of their seats. And if they do, sometimes the result can be a bit of a letdown. That’s not Affleck at all. We know how dedicated he is to the craft of acting, this was no expectation.
More Entertainment: Raymond Reddington Has A Hero And Enemy In The Same Person
Arguably the best performance of his career, despite films such as the aforementioned Argo, Good Will Hunting, and other classics such as Gone Girl, The Town, even his portrayal of Batman. These all showcase what an amazing actor Affleck is. Saying The Way Back is the highlight of his career might be saying something, but it’s the truth.
Overlooking Ben Affleck is a mistake the Academy will probably have to live with. Not many predict him as a favorite for a nomination. While it’s understandable, it isn’t fair to leave such a powerful performance out of the running. This was an Oscar-worthy role. Affleck needs to be recognized by the Academy.
Image Source: Warner Bros.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
