Can a Good Speech Save An Oscar Campaign?
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at 9:00AM 
Remember when Meryl Streep received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2017 Golden Globes? Her speech was one for the ages, full of good humor, pathos and a riveting call to arms. So titanic was this acceptance speech that, to this day, I believe that it's what secured a Best Actress Oscar nomination for Florence Foster Jenkins. The performance did get a lot of precursor love, but growing Streep fatigue and a stacked race seemed like indicators of an incoming snub. Then, the Golden Globes happened, right at the end of Oscar voting, and it all changed.
Her speech saved her campaign, even though that wasn't the intention of the gesture, and turned her into a lock many didn't see coming until nomination morning arrived. This year, Tom Hanks might follow in Streep's steps…
As we've reported before, while Tom Hanks' artistic endeavors have been on a tremendous upswing for the past decade, the Academy has failed to respond. Even in 2013, when he looked like a sure thing with Captain Phillips, an Oscar nod failed to materialize. Because of that, some prognosticators have remained cautious about predicting him as a lock for this year's Best Supporting Actor Oscar. His performance in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is sublime, an idea of a virtuous man and the minutia of a tridimensional personality in seamless osmosis.
Not only that, he's managed to score a nomination for the Globes, the BAFTAs, the SAGs, and the Critics Choice Awards. Still, Hanks doesn't particularly seem like a lock. His precedent with recent snubs is daunting and difficult to ignore. What might mitigate such doubts is that barnburner of a speech he gave upon receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award. It was a stirring emotional rollercoaster, a wonder capable of eliciting laughs and tears in equal measure, all of them served with a healthy dose of earnest humility. He was genuine and projected warmth without ever letting a whiff of unpleasant condescension taint the tone of the words.
More importantly, it lacked the self-aggrandizing antics so easily associated with superstar actors, especially those honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Hanks talked like a pragmatist professional, someone that understands he's part of a machine that involves many artists all working together. He was humble, yes, but he was also inspiring without being schmaltzy, sentimental without being mawkish and above all else, kind. It was perfect. Everyone in the room seemed to think so too if we can judge by those misty-eyed reaction shots.
There are a lot of Academy voters within that bunch and even more watching at home. Hopefully, this homage to Hanks' career coupled with a perfect speech might make them think twice before again snubbing him in their Oscar ballots. After all, who wouldn't love to watch America's Dad tearing up while receiving a well-deserved third Oscar? His win still seems unlikely, of course, but a nomination is looking more like a certainty than a diffuse pipe dream.
Do you consider Tom Hanks a lock for an Oscar nomination?
Reader Comments (35)
Some of this hinges on timing. So Sunday's speeches fell in the middle of nomination voting.
I don't know how many voters receive their ballots, eagerly vote and submit right away.
I guess it could make a difference, but the issue is overdetermined. As in, Streep was probably always getting in for FFJ (SAG/Globe/BAFTA noms, BFCA comedy win) and Hanks was probably always getting in for ABDITN (SAG/Globe/BFCA/BAFTA noms).
Instead of treating the Captain Philips snub (SAG/Globe/BFCA/BAFTA noms) as a fluke we treat it as a rule for some reason. (He never got close to that precursor traction for Sully or The Post, and those performances didn't merit it like CF did.)
I think he's in. I would be sad if he wasn't. He'd be my winner.
He is again nominated for the Golden Globe, the SAGs, and the BAFTAs. He's been overlooked for Captain Phillips, Bridge of Spies, Saving Mr. Banks, The Post and Sully. Three of these films got an Oscar nomination for someone in the cast. I really hope this time Hanks makes it.
If the jinx continues, there are at least four high-profile films in his future:
1. A WWII drama, Greyhound.
2. A reunion with Peter Greengrass in News of the World.
3. He'll play Colonel Parker in an untitled Elvis Presley biopic directed by Baz Luhrmann.
4. A Man Called Ove. He'll take over Jack Nicholson in the adaptation of the 2015 Swedish film. This last one is the kind of role that could land him Oscar # 3.
I still to this day cannot fathom him NOT being nominated for CAPTAIN PHILLIPS.
It boggles my mind how good he was in those last 8 minutes alone.
Tell that to Glenn Close and for Othiefia to return her Oscar.
I think we need more than Meryl for precedent, given her history with AMPAS. Of course, each one of us is free to personally believe anything in regards to her FFJ nomination, but that's only conjecture. I personally think it is really hard to argue that there is any kind of Meryl fatigue when she followed her FFJ awards run with another successful season with the Post (oscar, globe, critics choice noms + NBR win).
In recent years, Tiffany Haddish delivered a popular NYFCC speech, but that did not lead to any major noms. Back in the day, Hugh Grant had a funny Globe speech and no Oscar nom. I expect Tom Hanks to join them soon.
Regardless of impact on nominations, acing your precursor speech does not make people more likely to vote for you for a win. The two best speeches of the last decade were Viola Davis SAG (The Help) and Glenn Close Globes (The Wife) and both went on to lose on Oscar night.
Claudio, this is a beautifully written article. Agreed on Meryl for that dumb FFJ movie, and agreed on everything you say about Hanks. His performance is exquisite and should be on every voter's list. I think his GG speech reminded everyone how much they take him for granted and what an artist he is, and he'll make the cut this year.
Hers was a speech for the ages. Her speeches are always ones to look forward to.
Hank's deserves the nomination
“The minutia of a tridimensional personality in seamless osmosis.“
I loved the performance, but come again?
He seemed drunk and talking too laud for me.
Also, his movie is a bit flat.
I don't think Hanks is a lock in the slightest - in fact, I'm more confident about Hopkins' chances for a nom.
Hanks deserves it. What a gorgeous performance. But I feel he'll join the Amy Adams/ Jake Gyllenhaal/John Hawkes/Daniel Bruhl club of actors who hit all the precursors but miss at the end. I hope I am wrong.
Pacino is my first choice in Supporting Actor, but I'll be very sad if Hanks doesn't get a nomination. I love A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. His speech reminded everyone why he is so beloved... but I'm not sure why people need to be reminded. He's a national treasure.
Meryl's Cecil B. DeMille speech is the only awards speech I rewatch regularly. It is brilliant. I believe she would have been nominated regardless, but she probably picked up a few extra votes because of it.
Paranoid Android -- sometimes I'm too verbose and florid for my own good. I'm sorry.
In this instance, I was basically saying he plays the idea of Mr. Rogers, an iconographic character that's bigger than life, and also the actual man with a complex personality. The ideal and the minutia of reality hand-in-hand, one dissolving into the other, in osmosis so to speak.
I hope this made it clearer and not more confusing. Sorry if that's the case.
I thought we were nominating people for the acting not the speech they have just given.
I really think Meryl got the nom for FFJ regardless of her speech.
She had a lot going for her already: Biopic role, a psiible history making 20th Oscar nom, plus the most important noms for GG, SAG, BAFTA, CC.
It was great anyway.
I think if Hanks somehow gets snubbed again, he's "done" with Oscars.
But I can always be prooven wrong. ;)
Meryl's speech is not the reason she got nominated. It's the reason she's not getting snubbed.
The only thing that gives me trepidation about calling him a lock is that A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood has zero Best Picture buzz, so I’m worried it’s not a high priority watch for a lot of voters, and some of them probably didn’t even bother watching it. I do think he’ll get in this year, but if he doesn’t, I guarantee the person who takes his spot will be Song Kang-ho or someone else from one of the major Best Picture contenders. Unfortunately when a performance is the only thing in a movie with Oscar buzz, unless it’s a frontrunner in that category (like Renee this year), it’s vulnerable despite precursor attention.
Carmen- absolutely agree!
And yes I am aware you cannot be a thief of something you deserved more, but overdue should rule the day I say!
Meryl was a strong 4th in the category. She was going to be nominated anyway. The 5th place was between Negga and Adams and they chose Negga.
“Her speech was one for the ages, full of good humor, pathos and a riveting call to arms.”
She’s a rich, white cishet woman co-opting leftist language when she’s the beneficiary of all oppressive societal structures.
Now I feel bad! Sorry! Was a great piece
He was so annoying and the way he reacted do Gervais' jokes ... OMG!
Lol Raf stfu.
You're annoying. Really fucking annoying.
beyaccount -- just because someone benefits from th current system, doesn't mean they can't know right from wrong and speak out about the ills of the current system. Streep has been an awesome advocate for all sorts of things. Let's not downplay her achievements just because she's rich and white.
edwin -- i agree. that's my feeling too. I think he makes it in but if he doesn't i wont' be surprised.
mark -- that's the idea but we all know other factors come into play by the end of the season.
david -- agreed.
Don’t feel bad Paranoid, Claudio seems grateful for constructive feedback and seems to be free of the jaded bitterness that can afflict some other writers here. (Which when deployed correctly and not Willy hilly can absolutely sing)
Polanski clapping Streep can sit her ass down for a while. She’s the Disney of actresses her age, quit breathing up all the air.
Meryl stole Amy Adams’ nomination for Arrival! It’s astonishingly sad
On an unrelated note, how odd were the Bafta nominations this year?!
Yes he's in. Unless those voters who watched it hav hearts made outta stone!! 😂
If Hanks can land a Bafta nod as a very American icon (outside o US, i dun tink Fred Rogers is tt well known) , I'm sure he could land one w the Academy, who is v familiar w Fred Rogers (althot Won't you be my neighbor is a v peculiar snub last yr).
Nominating Hanks wld oso made up their past snubs of him, particularly Capt Phillips.
I tink, Pitt, Pesci, Pacino n Hanks r quite locked up, its the 5th spot tt's in the air!! I'll take a gamble n predict Song Kang Ho!! 😁
Lovely writing as always, Claudio. I really hope Hanks gets in. The degree of difficulty playing this person was enormous, and he rose to the occasion. I do hope if there's any shocker, it's that Dafoe gets in. My personal pick for Oscar is Pacino, who is my all time hero.
Tom Hanks gave an endearing, speech which I hope gets him a nomination, sadly it will not get him a win. I'm not sure how much or how little Oscar voters were moved by it.
He's a nice guy, and he delivered a nice guy sort of speech. I love Hanks.
Personally, I think Meryl Streep's speech in '17 was far more memorable. Her speech galvanized how people were feeling after that strange election. The fact that she was struggling with losing her voice made it more poignant. And that last line, from Carrie Fisher, "take your broken heart and turn it into art". I'm hoping after Trump is defeated for one more stem-winder from Streep to book end this terrible era.
Great article and so true. Another example of this happened last year. I really think the Oscar was Glenn Close's last year, but Olivia Colman gave the speech of the year at the Golden Globes and sealed the deal. Colman gave a magnificent performance, but I don't think she would have won without the Golden Globes speech.
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