George Clooney in Syriana......

It was a great, serious performance by an actor that's beloved by both the industry and the public. He was doing something he had never done before, and was completely transformed.

He was also damn good in it.

And he was the "it" guy that year at the Oscars with his 3 nominations.

His only competition in the category was Paul Giamatti for CINDERELLA MAN, who had won the SAG award. (Clooney won the Globe.) While I think that Giamatti was deserving, a vote for Clooney (at least in my opinion) would have been irresistible.

William Hurt for A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE shouldn't have even been nominated.

Mat Dillon gave a tremendous performance in CRASH - I wouldn't have minded if he won either - but there's no way he was any competition for the more commercial and the more flashy choice, Clooney.

And lastly, Jake Gyllenhaal's brilliant performance in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN didn't have a chance. Yes, he won the BAFTA, but it was a controversial film that lots of people didn't even bother watching. Plus, it was a big breakout for a young star - the opportunity will come up again.

Clooney was the obvious choice. Everything was in his favor - and the fact that he is one of the most popular and likable stars didn't hurt either.

I, for one, am glad he won - though I'd be just as happy with Dillon or Gyllenhaal as well.

---

He was very good, but I wouldn't nominate him. Fine work, he's certainly commited to his craft, the performance served its purpose, yada yada but nothing memorable or extraordinary imho. The only time I'd consider Clooney Oscar-worthy is Michael Clayton, and I wouldn't vote for him in that, either. That said, I TOTALLY understand his win, and I'm fine with it. For whatever reason, it was obviously his "time".

For that matter, I also would not nominate Matt Dillon or Paul Giamatti. Dillon's work was sturdy and strong, and Giamatti was clearly having a ball, but meh. That leaves Hurt and Gyllenhaal (my favorite of the nominees) to be the only actors that my, um, ballot and the Academy's had in common.

Updated On: 2/19/08 at 09:58 AM