Post-TIFF Oscar Predictions: Best Supporting Actor Race

Timothée Chalamet in Beautiful Boy (Amazon Studios)

Now that the Toronto Int'l Film Festival is over, the official (even though it's still September) Oscar season begins, and with that, Oscar prognosticator's speculations of who makes it into the first round of Oscar buzz lists. The only category I have a horse in is the Best Supporting Actor which Timothée Chalamet will be in due to his brilliant performance as meth addict, Nic Sheff in Beautiful Boy. The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg was in Toronto and he released his first list of possible nominees for the Oscars. Based on following Scott on Twitter for so many years, and making note of his positive impressions about Timothée, and the wonderful podcast he had with the actor earlier this year, Scott did root for Timmy, but, the stars were aligned and pre-designated for Gary Oldman last year as he too left TIFF 2017 on a high note from The Darkest Hours. Fast forward a year later, it appears that Timothée is on a similar trajectory buzz akin to Oldman's.

Plan B and Amazon Studios are being smart in getting Timothée out there and promoting the film at industry screenings in LA (SAG-AFTRA earlier this past week), and he's now at the Santa Barbara Film Festival before he takes off for Spain for the San Sebastian Film Festival and other festivals throughout October, including London's BFI film festival. Surely they are aware of the buzz and they want to capitalize on it and do as much press and interviews prior to the limited release of Beautiful Boy on October 12th. Timmy has generated so much good will and PR from his historic nomination as Best Actor for Call Me By Your Name earlier this year, that it can only help him this time around in actually winning. But, one day at a time as many more supporting actor performances have yet to be seen. However, as of right now, it's looking very good for Timothée - he's off to a great start. The key is to build up and continue this momentum without over exposure and marketing fatigue. The timely issue of the devastating effects of meth addiction to the addicted and their family is a universal matter and a pressing concern for millions of people around the world. Timmy's frank portrayal of the downfall of this addiction is something to see as it will stick with you and haunt you!

Scott Feinberg predictions Sept. 14th