Another Penn-Rourke Read

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The Envelope's Pete Hammond is saying that "history would appear to be on Sean Penn's side" in the Best Actor race "since Milk has eight nominations -- including best picture -- indicating more overall support in the academy than for The Wrestler.

On top of which "Penn is playing a real-life figure and Rourke is not, and recent academy voting trends point to that factor as being very big." Oh, come on! And yet "trying out an Oscar acceptance speech at any of the precursor award ceremonies can sometimes be a big plus, as in Rourke's case at the BAFTAs, which has served as a reminder of his own remarkable comeback story. Voters are suckers for that."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on February 10, 2009 at 7:24 PM

comment #1

eoguy says ...

I've always thought Penn has a good chance at an upset, and I kind of hope that happens.

Posted by eoguy at February 10, 2009 7:34 PM

comment #2

Cadavra says ...

Three points to consider:

1) Penn just won four years ago.
2) Penn does not go out of his way to make himself likable.
3) Some folks may vote for Rourke just to see what he'd say up there.

Obvious solution: vote for Langella.

Posted by Cadavra at February 10, 2009 7:39 PM

comment #3

Geoff says ...

I hope Rourke takes it.

Posted by Geoff at February 10, 2009 8:09 PM

comment #4

Rod32303 says ...

I hope Penn takes it.

Posted by Rod32303 at February 10, 2009 8:48 PM

comment #5

Dan Revill says ...

I hope Jenkins takes it.

Posted by Dan Revill at February 10, 2009 11:01 PM

comment #6

Marty Melville says ...

Cue Toni Basil.

Posted by Marty Melville at February 10, 2009 11:17 PM

comment #7

MindlessObamaton says ...

Considering that 2008 was the year of bland, it won't surprise me to to see Penn win for suvh an abc, one note performance that anyone can do in their sleep. I'd LOVE to see Jenkins,even ore than Rourke. Let's just hope that Penn doesn't win.

Posted by MindlessObamaton at February 11, 2009 3:50 AM

comment #8

MikeSchaeferSF says ...

I don't really have a horse in this race; I think both Penn and Rourke were great. But to say Penn gave a "one note performance that anyone can do in their sleep" is just preposterous. He nailed Harvey Milk, and that has nothing to do with the politics of it. If anything, one could argue that Rourke, a washed-up guy playing a washed-up guy, was more more in his comfort zone than Penn.

Posted by MikeSchaeferSF at February 11, 2009 9:10 AM

comment #9

DarthCorleone says ...

Five years ago - not four.

Sorry - I have OCD.

Posted by DarthCorleone at February 11, 2009 11:34 AM

comment #10

MathewM says ...

I sense an upset too. I'd rather see Rourke win because I loved his performance in The Wrestler and that I'm rather tired of Sean Penn the person.

Posted by MathewM at February 11, 2009 12:02 PM

comment #11

George Prager says ...

[comment deleted for pointing out that Rourke won't win because most people are repulsed by Rourke]

Posted by George Prager at February 11, 2009 2:06 PM

comment #12

Chicago48 says ...

Can Rourke's publicist tell him to take his hands out of his pants when he's on camera. I know it's probably a very comfortable habit, but it's turning some people off (not me, I think it's very cowboyish).

Posted by Chicago48 at February 11, 2009 2:16 PM

comment #13