I had been surprised that Michael B. Jordan went months without being mentioned as a serious Best Actor contender given the critical acclaim Sinners has received. My impression is that voters were looking for a Chalamet alternative, in part because his campaign hit them the wrong way, because he’s still young, and because there was time for Marty Supreme to be reassessed.
And Jordan, the star of the most beloved film of the year (even if One Battle After Another took the big prize), was just sitting right there.
Chalamet was going to lose anyway. He damaged his reputation with the clumsily handled ballet and opera remarks, and there’s been a gleeful pile-on ever since - even in the Sinners Best Song performance.
But I don’t think any of this is the end of the world. Chalamet will survive. His.agents have done a good job picking projects for him. He’s a fine actor. Producers and audiences would line up for Chalamet’s Broadway debut, in case that happens.
But as someone who has watched Jordan since his memorable turn in the first season of The Wire nearly 24 years ago, he’s a terrific actor too. I am happy with the outcome.