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Oscar 2011 Odds: Colin Firth Favourite For Best Actor

This year's Oscar nominations were announced today in Hollywood and as anticipated Britain's Colin Firth and the film, 'The King's Speech' have been extremely well received. With 12 nominations in all, not quite a record for a British film but close to it, the detailed account of George VI's private/public battle with a disabling stammer has led to British audiences, most uncharacteristically, giving standing ovations at the end of the movie, with cinemas overbooked for showings throughout the country. Whilst the Golden Globes rewarded Firth's performance,and the BAFTAS are also expected to hand the Best Actor gong to him, will Hollywood's Premier Academy see fit to do likewise? Bookmakers Paddy Power seem certain of this outcome giving odds of 1/20 that he will win this Oscar.

The Oscar Academy consists of 6000 members who vote on the nominations, comprising a range of individuals from throughout the film industry and whilst they used to consist of largely senior figures, in an attempt to stave off criticism that Hollywood is not current enough, many of the members are now much more youthful. This fact is expected to have some influence on the outcome. Whilst a historical drama involving British royalty is always expected to do well in Hollywood, 'The Queen' with Helen Mirren being a prime example, now it is not thought to be a simple passport to success. Colin Firth's performance however has been received with such overwhelming admiration by the public and by critics, that the new Hollywood would seem inappropriately and misguidedly fickle if he did not win.

The Best Film category is however a different kettle of fish. 'The Social Network' has been well received on both sides of the pond and dealing as it does with the contemporary issues of an internet driven world and the ambitions of a small number of computer geeks is likely to appeal to the new electorate at the Academy. Whist not throwing up specifically impressive individual performances, as a whole the shape content and delivery of the film is exceptional. This category is surely between 'The King's Speech' and 'The Social Network' with the latter at odds of 3/1, pulling a short head away from the rest of the field.

James Franco's nomination for '127 Hours' is surely a reward for stamina as much as anything else. Carrying the whole film with his depiction of Aron Ralston's tortuous story of being trapped by his hand on a climbing escapade, his inclusion was almost obligatory, but whilst his performance has been admired, it does not seem to have had the same impact on audiences as Firth's. Last year Jeff Bridges, who is again nominated for Best Actor, pipped Firth's performance in 'A Single Man' to the post, but it looks as if the roles will be reversed this year and Bridges will have to keep his acceptance speech in his pocket. Will Firth stammer when he wins? He would certainly be forgiven if he did!

Oscar 2011 Odds

Odds plus a host of Novelty Betting Opportunities courtesy of Paddy Power

BEST ACTOR
Colin Firth (The King's Speech) 1/20
James Franco (127 Hours) 12/1
Jesse Eisenberg (Social Network) 12/1
Jeff Bridges (True Grit) 12/1
Javier Bardem (Biutiful) 20/1

BEST PICTURE
The Social Network 1/3
The King's Speech 2/1
True Grit 20/1
Winter's Bone 20/1
The Fighter 33/1
Black Swan 40/1
Inception 40/1
The Kids Are All Right 50/1
127 Hours 66/1
Toy Story 3 66/1

Posted: Tuesday, 25th January 2011
Author: Suzi Flute
Tags: film, the social network, james franco, jeff bridges, paddypower,

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