SAG Awards: 5 reasons why Colman Domingo will win best actor for ‘Rustin’
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You know that moment during an awards season when you suddenly realize that someone is going to win a major prize? And it’s not a prediction that many are making. It’s one that only you and a few others are banking on. So naturally, you want to make your opinion known before everyone jumps on that same train. You want to be able to say, “I called that one before anyone else did. I own that one.”
Well, I recently had such a moment. I stopped in at the New York City’s Quad Cinemas in Greenwich Village to catch a screening of “Rustin,” before its premiere on Netflix later this month. I had been so curious about the awards potential of Colman Domingo, who plays the title character in the 20th century biographical drama. “Do we need to keep an eye on him?” I kept asking myself.
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Now that I’ve seen the film, I know that the answer to that question is a resounding YES. While I don’t feel ready to call the Oscar his just yet, I do think that there’s at least one major prize that he should be ready to accept. Here are five reasons why Domingo will win best actor at the SAG Awards for “Rustin.”
1. He has the flashiest role of any of this year’s Best Actor hopefuls.
It’s primarily actors who vote for the SAG Awards, and they almost always go for the showy over the subtle. This is good news for Domingo, whose portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin shows off his acting chops in a number of ways. He’s playing a real person, which thespians realize is no easy feat. It requires careful studying and perfect precision, with close attention paid to how the individual walked, talked, moved and thought. And Domingo knocks it out of the park. He skillfully masters every aspect of Rustin’s being. The gestures. The speech. The stares. He’s even consistent in the way that he smokes his cigarettes and imbibes his alcohol. Furthermore, Rustin was an exceptionally animated individual. That means Domingo gets to play up all of Rustin’s theatrics directly to the camera. His wisecracks. His wit. And his warmth. There’s never a dull moment while Domingo is on the screen. His zestful projection of Rustin may be tough to top.
SEEHear Lenny Kravitz’s original song ‘Road to Freedom’ from Netflix’s ‘Rustin’
2. His performance is the centerpiece of “Rustin.”
Domingo pretty much carries the film, appearing in almost every scene. This might give him an edge over other leading men forced to share their leading status with a screen partner. Leonardo DiCaprio has Lily Gladstone in “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Bradley Cooper has Carey Mulligan in “Maestro.” Paul Giamatti has Dominic Sessa in “The Holdovers.” Even Cillian Murphy shares much of “Oppenheimer” with an enormous supporting cast. Meanwhile, Domingo pretty much IS “Rustin.” Domingo’s dominance could make the difference in a competitive contest.
3. SAG likes to embrace diversity.
And “Rustin” checks off a few important boxes. Social activist Bayard Rustin was both African-American and gay, which put him in a dubious case of double jeopardy as he worked to advance the rights of two marginalized groups during a most turbulent time in American history. Granted, the SAG Awards are about acting and not activism. But when guild members have a chance to honor superb dramatics as well as celebrate diversity, they often do it. Domingo is a person of color, openly gay AND a highly respected actor. That makes him a triple threat on the ballot. Voting for him and all that “Rustin” represents might prove irresistible to the SAG electorate.
4. “Rustin” will be readily available for viewing on Netflix.
As I’ve written before, one of the key ingredients to SAG success is making certain that a project is seen. The easiest way to do that is to play on a popular streaming service to which almost all members subscribe. Netflix has enjoyed exceptional success at SAG, claiming many trophies there that it couldn’t repeat at the Oscars. (Like “The Trial of the Chicago 7” for best ensemble and Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis for best actor and actress in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”) “Ma Rainey” was actually directed by Tony winner George C. Wolfe, who also helmed “Rustin” to similarly positive reviews. That means most guild members will not only watch “Rustin”; they’ll also like it. One final Netflix note: having the names Barack Obama and Michelle Obama credited as “Rustin” executive producers further aids Domingo’s cause.
5. It may be hard for anyone to beat him.
We of course don’t even know the lineup, so I’ll focus on those most likely to make the guild’s best actor list. DiCaprio is popular with SAG and previously reigned for “The Revenant,” but the “Killers of the Flower Moon” doesn’t seem likely to bring him a bookend. Cooper is similarly a SAG favorite and he’s overdue for recognition. It just seems that the radiant Mulligan is stealing the spotlight. Giamatti is a genuine actor’s actor who already holds four SAG statuettes. He delivers a career-best performance in “The Holdovers.” If only the part packed more of a punch. And of course, there’s Murphy in Oppenheimer” who currently leads Gold Derby’s SAG and Oscar odds. While I won’t discount him for the latter, I predict that he has little chance of prevailing at SAG. While he is the man behind the bomb, his role is short on the type of dynamite that SAG members are generally drawn to. That leaves Domingo and the “Rustin” rocket launched for a SAG explosion, landing the award for Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture.
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