5 times Leonardo DiCaprio truly deserved the Oscar
One of the funniest memes floating online after Steve Harvey's blooper at this year's Miss Universe pageant was one where people insisted he be asked to host the upcoming Academy Awards so that Leonardo DiCaprio could finally win the coveted Oscars award. It would have been funnier if it wasn't so ironic. Despite being one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, someone who's always experimented and come out with flying colours, Leonardo has never managed to win an Oscar.
While Harvey isn't getting a shot at hosting the Awards anytime soon, Leonardo has, yet again, won himself a nomination at the Awards for his work in the impressive The Revenant. This is his sixth Oscar nomination for Best Actor and just like every time, everyone's hoping he finally gets lucky. With no Matthew McConnaughey in the nominations to give him a last minute upset, looks like Leo is well on his way to Oscar glory (fingers crossed!). Don't forget he's already got the Golden Globe for the movie!
Before we jinx it again for the powerhouse performer known for his chameleon-like ability to completely get into the skin of every character, here's looking at five of his acclaimed performances that certainly deserved Oscar glory:
1. The Aviator (2004)
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| As Howard Hughes. |
I'll admit the movie was a bit of a stretch but the only reason why you didn't mind the massive length and overtly dramatic treatment was Leonardo's pitch perfect portrayal of Howard Hughes' descent from an eccentric billionaire to that of a reclusive, almost crazy man in solitude. His performance reaches newer heights of cinematic genius towards to penultimate moments of the movie as you come out awed and blown away.
2. Blood Diamond (2006)
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| As Danny Archer. |
Shining like a diamond (I couldn't resist saying that!) in this otherwise gory and mostly all over the place action movie, Leonardo proves why he's the ever-dependable actor, lending much-needed gravitas and emotional depth amidst all the war sequences happening around. Plus, that accent he put on was so on-point, it alone was reason enough to get him the award.
3. Shutter Island (2010)
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| As US Marshal Teddy Daniels. |
One of my favourite Scorsese movies, this thriller had a lot going right including the brilliant ending. But the ace here, apart from the direction was certainly Leonardo's portrayal of US Marshal Teddy Daniels who's out to investigate the goings-on on the island. He was restrained and layered and displayed no overt heroism, letting the film take precedence.
4. Django Unchained (2012)
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| As Calvin Candie. |
He may not have been the lead here but you couldn't have walked out of the theatre marvelling at Leonardo's brilliance on screen. He played a ruthless and vicious man who doesn't blink an eyelid before feeding a slave to the dogs, literally. Yet, you continue to stare at him with rapt attention simply because Leo truly looks like he's having fun being so bad on screen. Unfortunately, he didn't even get nominated for this one.
5. Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
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| As Jordan Belfort. |
My personal favourite Leo performance, the film had him playing a highly unlikeable, mostly despicable man who's all obsessed with making money, morals or no morals. It's only because of his wonderful portrayal that you end up liking Jordan even though he's busy doing all that he does on screen. Leonardo was hilarious, sleazy and nasty and every bit deserving of that award. Damn you, McConnaughey!