By Jennifer Hillman
The actors of Hollywood seemed to agree with the Oscar nominations committee on who should win the Oscars, February 27.
Last weekend, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, better known as the SAG awards, gave the big prizes to “The King’s Speech” directed by Tom Hooper. It won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Major Motion Picture. In addition, the award for Best Actor went to Colin Firth who played the stuttering King George VI. “The King’s Speech” currently leads the Oscar race with 12 nominations.
Other actors we can expect to see on the podium on Oscar night include Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo and Christian Bale. Portman won Best Actress for her performance as Nina Sayers in “Black Swan.” Leo won Best Supporting Actress for her work in “The Fighter,” and Bale won Best Supporting Actor for the same film.
As the SAG Awards help give an indicator of who will win an Oscar, they also give an indicator of whose stylists have their work cut out for them. Leo and Jennifer Lawrence, both Oscar nominees, may want to look for better stylists. Leo wore a Randi Rahm silver gown with a bright metallic sheen that didn’t photograph well. Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone” nominee, also picked a bright neon pink Oscar de la Renta gown.
Luckily, Portman and Helena Bonham Carter redeemed themselves for their poor fashion seclections at this award show. At the Golden Globes, Portman wore a pink Viktor & Rolf dress that was obstructed by a red sequined rose on her chest. This time around, Portman favored an Azzaro’s “Jungle” gown for both her and her growing belly. Portman is expecting her first child with Benjamin Millepied, the “Black Swan” choreographer. Carter, “The King’s Speech” Supporting Actress Nominee, unlike in the last award show, actually wore matching shoes; her outfit from the Golden Globes got looks because she wore one green and one red shoe.
The best outfits from the red carpet came from Mila Kunis, Portman’s co-star in “Black Swan” and Julia Stiles who joined the “Dexter” cast for the fifth season. Kunis wore a flowing strapless chiffon Alexander McQueen Resort 2011 gown and Stiles wore a two-toned Monique Lhuiller gown. Claire Dane ranked right behind them. If only she hadn’t worn the belt around her Louis Vuitton dress.
The SAG awards also honored the work of television actors. Steve Buscemi added to his award collection with the addition of a SAG statue to his Golden Globe win for his performance in “Boardwalk Empire.” The show also ended the long winning streak of “Mad Men.” “Boardwalk Empire” won for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series. “Modern Family” won for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Julianna Marguiles of “The Good Wife” and Alec Baldwin of “30 Rock” both had repeat wins at the award show. For Margulies it was her second time, for Baldwin, his fifth. The surprise of the night, however, came from Betty White who was even surprised herself after winning Best Supporting Actress in a TV comedy series for her work in “Hot in Cleveland.”
The eighty third Academy Awards air February 27 at 8 pm.