Daniel Day-Lewis standing tall in lead actor Oscar race

If the lead actress Oscar race already seems fairly settled for Jennifer Lawrence as we argued here, the outcome of the lead actor contest seems even more of a foregone conclusion. The best argument against Daniel Day-Lewis' inside-out, understated genius in "Lincoln" is that academy voters might be inclined to give the respected John Hawkes or the gonzo Joaquin Phoenix a first Oscar before bestowing Day-Lewis a third. Or that magazine covers like this one create a backlash of resentment that might work against the "world's greatest actor."

By Glenn Whipp

November 14, 2012