Honestly, the issue with Murray's performance is it's not baity enough. He doesn't cry, have a really angry scene or transform. It's subtle. I believe he could have won in 2022 as the Oscar's seem to be rewarding more relatable performances.

Charlize wasn’t BAFTA-nominated this year because the UK release date for Monster was after the eligibility date. She was nominated the following year but lost to Imelda Staunton in Vera Drake. Scarlett received double BAFTA nominations this year for Lost In Translation and The Girl With The Pearl Earring, winning for the former. It was thought these dual possibilities split her votes and robbed her of an Oscar nomination that year.

I am actually quite certain that Depp was second because he won SAG. Depp was incredibly popular after Pirates and creating Jack Sparrow and has created goodwill for his smaller films prior. How easily he got twice nominated after shows much love he had from the Academy. I don’t think Depp even really campaigned.

I love your channel, please keep up the good work. In that note, Sean Penn refused to attend the Oscars, even at this occasion, but Clint Eastwood begged him to attend, knowing that he might have a bigger chance of getting it this time around. And because they became very good friends after shooting, Penn agreed to attend.

Lost in Translation inspired me to travel the world. Boy, I've fallen in love while traveling multiple times like in the film and like the film had to let people go because I have to come back to reality. Really wanted Murray to win, one of my favorite performances of all time.

A bit unrelated, but I'd be really interested to see your take on Marcia Gay Harden's win in 2001, where she won without being nominated anywhere else, pretty wild, would never see that nowadays!

Hey. I just wanted to comment to say, I’m not really a fan of the Oscars. I never watch them and still don’t really plan on it. But your video about Andrew Garfield was really interesting to me since I’m a big fan of his and also I really loved your analysis and commentary about it. I then ended up watching almost every single one of your videos because I just love the way you talk about everything. You’ve made me care and get invested in something that I had almost zero interest in before. I’m still probably not gonna watch the Oscars every year or anything like that, but thank you for talking about it all in a way that makes me like it. I look forward to all of your new videos and watch them immediately. (Also thanks for helping me get all the Oscar questions right on Jeopardy lol).

I'm not saying that Bill Murray's performance wasn't amazing; it was. But like, the clip of Sean Penn finding out his daughter is dead in the movie ALONE deserved that Oscar. I think it's actually his best performance on film to date.

Great video! I think another factor in Penn’s favor was that he not only had ‘Mystic River’, but also his incredible work in ‘21 Grams’ (for which his co-stars Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro were nominated). The fact that he easily could’ve been nominated for that had ‘Mystic River’ not come out the same year was another testament to his talent, and his “overdueness”.

I remember this race well! I still defend Sean Penn winning. It was a very hard call, but I had a feeling he was going to win and I just love the dance between darkness and light that his character does in the film. Another factor that helped Penn was his solid and strong lead turn in 21 Grams that same year. With Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro getting nods, I’m sure if Mystic River wasn’t in the picture he’d have been nominated for that film. Side note: it’s noted that Clint Eastwood gave Penn a good spiel about the importance of attending the ceremony. I think initially he hadn’t planned on going until Clint changed his mind. Or so legend has it. Also his open disdain for the Hollywood machine up to that point was well known and probably hurt his chances, I think the actors really pulled through for him and he has since warmed a bit more to the industry. His second Oscar speech makes a hilarious reference to it. Thanks for the video, Lito

I’m looking forward to the Rourke vs Penn video!

I miss those days when the acting categories were not dominated by biopics.

I think it was a shame Elijah Wood wasn’t nominated for Best Actor in Return of the King, same with Sean Astin for Supporting Actor. While the two may not have exactly won if nominated, they gave solid performances that I think deserved acknowledgment themselves. I do think Murray should have been nominated and perhaps won Supporting Actor for Rushmore and I think Sean Penn should have won for Dead Man Walking. It’s hard for me to say who I really liked the best nominated in this particular year we’re looking at. Johnny Depp’s performance was excellent in the first Pirates of the Caribbean, so maybe I’d go with that performance if not looking at others who were not nominated. At that point people weren’t used to Jack Sparrow like we are now and so it was pretty fresh. It’s an interesting year for sure. Lot of interesting nominees and interesting list of those who could have been nominated in any of the acting categories. Thanks for the video man, take care!

I feel like Penn's performance in Dead Man Walking should've been his Oscar moment. And it's not like you couldn't have rewarded Cage elsewhere... In my eyes, he could've deserved it for Bringing Out The Dead or Adaptation. Idk I'm tryna craft a world where everyone gets Oscars lol

It’s crazy how Sean penn will pull another upset for his next Oscar nomination for milk when everyone argued that 2009 best actor Oscar win should’ve gone Mickey Rooney for the wrestler

I am so happy I found your commentary on this Best Actor race! I am a cinephile, and for me, "Lost In Translation" approaches cinematic perfection...it is truly a wonderful movie is almost every single way. I think one thing that you didn't mention was the thinking for many that this was Bill Murray's only shot at the award...for even when taking their history's into account, it was easy to think that Sean Penn would have more Oscar-worthy performances line-up (which he did) than Murray would (his work with Wes Anderson is incredible, but he is no where in demand for those great roles like Penn was). If I was a voter, I would have cast my vote for Murray...mainly because, Yes, his performance in "Translation" was absolutlely worthy and the best of the year, but additionally because this was probably a only shot. And, you gotta' give it up when a person takes that one shot and absolutely nails it! Thanks for the great video!

Johnny Depp is my winner because he delivered the most original peformance, no one but him could've done it. Kingsley is my 2nd. Penn is good but I can see anyone of his generation like Russel Crow or Denzel Washington being just as good in that role as he did, he should've won for Milk and Dead man walking.

5:35-I was absolutely shocked and devastated that Johnny Depp did not win the Oscar for his performance. As well as Geoffrey Rush. They were both robbed.

Bravo for yet another fantastic analytical video. Once again, you nailed it. On a side note, Mystic River and Lost In Translation are two of my favorite films from that decade, and your video reminded me that I haven't watched either in several years. In other words, you just wrote my schedule for this weekend. Interestingly, I'm not a fan of Murray OR Johansson, but I genuinely loved both in that film. They were both fantastic!

to me the reason why Penn won was because any other year I believe Mystic River would had won for best picture & Director but there was no way the Oscars were gonna not reward Lord of the rings. Also I remember when I watched Mystic River in the movie theater & I said Tim Robbins was gonna win a oscar. I didn't feel as strongly for Penn & thought at the time Ben Kingsley, Johnny Depp or Bill Murray could have won & I wouldn't have been upset with any of those picks.

I truly love this channel!!!! Thank you for creating this wonderful videos

Another great video. I am binge watching all your videos as we speak!!!!!

Excellent video, as always. While I think Sean Penn was in many ways a deserving winner, I would have been the happiest person on earth if Bill Murray had won. (Well, I take that back; Murray likely would have been the happiest person on earth had he won.) Your videos are wonderful - keep up the awesome work!!!!

Hindsight is 20/20. The movie that clearly has stood the test of time is Lost in Translation, which that year seemed understated compared to the overt drama that was Mystic River, but my God, who really wants to watch Mystic River, when Lost in Trans' originality and delight is infectious, and Murray's performance completely sublime. It's Murray i will remember that year, not Penn.

A clip of Nicole Kidman presenting an award pops up in your videos. She's just at everything. I think Award Presenter is her official side hustle. Get that (gift) bag!

Bill and Scarlett won the BAFTA for best actor and actress that year. The English got this right.

I wanted Johnny Depp to win! Such an iconic comedic performance!

Another great one. Thanks, Oscar Boss

This race was cool and all... But I think it'd be REALLY cool to do one about the 2009 Oscar race! Penn vs Rourke!

Bill Murray is and always is going to be a darling, while Sean Penns narcissism has just killed everything he touches. I saw MR once in my life while countless times Lost in translation, I guess Sofia caring the Coppola legacy is cause of admiration and envy in the academy.

Hi nice video! I met you with the Jessica Chastain and the elusive oscar video and i really liked your channel I’d like to know your takes about the 2014 best actress tight race between Cate Blanchett and Amy Adams and the race between Rami Malek and Christian Bale back in 2019 :)

This one still stings, Lost in Translation is one of my top 10 favorite movies every. Bill was absolutely brilliant especially from the transition from being a hilariously funny comedian. This still feels like a robbery but Penn made up for it with Milk which should have been his win.

Giving it Sean Penn as early as 1996 or 2000 would have made room for Murray in 2004. And then to Mickey Rourke in 2009:) I'm rewriting history here, but it could have turned out this way.

Do you do movie reactions? I’d love to see a reaction or a review of infinity chamber.

one of the biggest snubs ever. a clear display of nuanced and subtle acting vs overdramatic mass appeal.

God that was a great race and all the actors were phenomenal and absolutely worthy. I personally always preferred Ben Kingsley who is absolutely breathtaking in House of Sand and Fog

To your point on overdue factor, I always felt like Sean Penny’s “I Am Sam” loss was due in part to Denzel, Washington (Training Day)being overlooked in the past and here we see Bill Murray’s lost due to Shawn Penn overlooked factor.

Charlize Theron wasn't nominated for a bafta that year because monster wasn't shown in uk in 2004 and therefore she wasn't eligible for the award. She was nominated the next year though

I may be in the minority but I wish Johnny Depp would have won especially since Sean Penn would win again in 2009. Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors and he gives his all-time best in that film, one of my favorites ever!

Peter Dinklage was robbed for a nomination for the station agent.

In that category Sean Penn was the best, hands down. I love Bill Murray and Lost in translation but that performance was too silent to win an Oscar. It was a great acting but not Oscar worthy. Sean Penn tho..... He literally made me cry with the porch scene in Mystic river. Close second is Ben Kingsley in House of sand and fog. Barely no one talks about that movie and his performance... Heartbreakingly beautiful performance!

Mystic River is the better film between it and ROTK. Let’s just keep it all the way real. That was a culmination Oscar.

Honestly Johnny Depp deserved to win. Like Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight.

Charlize theron WAS nominated for a BAFTA but she was nominated the next year since Monster was released in the UK in 2004 instead. She Lost to local favorite, Imelda Staunton.

Sean penn was definitely not the lead in Mystic River and should’ve been in the supporting category

Please do an elusive Oscar video for Jude Law

best actor was tight 4 years in a row. Crowe beating hanks, denzel beating Crowe, Brody upset and this one.

Murray should have won.

Absolutely the right person won. I remember seeing the movie in the theatre and when i saw the scene where he breaks down re his daughters death, police holding him and the top down camera shot i said in that moment he will finally win an academy award for this. Always felt he was robbed for his masterpeice turn in dead man walki g.

How about Green Book vs Roma

Lost in Translation is one of my fav films and I agree with some opinion that he was just playing a version of himself in it, as much as I love it. It's hardly a dramatic attention grabbing performance.

This was Penns Oscar to lose. The breakdown scene in MR is a classic winning scene. He had multiple nominations at this point. Unsure how Depp pulled off a win at SAG for the first of the crappy POTC films other than Penn and Murray maybe splitting the vote. Murray I think convinced himself he would win. The look on his losing face was priceless. Even Depp had a better chance than Murray with the key SAG win. Penns seriousness as an actor and the Academy’s love of Eastwood’s films put him over the top i believe.

Johnny depp would have been a great win.

Depp was my winner

No one was winning over Charlize that year but Jennifer should have been nominated. That’s not to say I think anyone else should have won over Charlize. I don’t know if I have a particular favorite for best actor that year. A case could be made for Sean and Bill. If you do supporting actress that year I have some thoughts on it.

Bill Murray was good, Sean Penn was amazing. So he won. What went wrong was Scarlett Johansson was not EVEN NOMINATED even though she won BAFTA that yr for Lost in Translation.

the year i was born. ❤

I feel like Bill Murray was too much of a ´comedy actor´. Sometimes when an actor is in a movie that is more of an audience pleaser than a critics movie, they need to prove themselves a bit. Like how Kristen Stewart needed to prove herself after Twilight to finally get nominated for Spencer. Also: completly unrelated topic but I became such an Oscar nerd after watching your videos that earlier today I was talking to my friends about movies and one of them said ´I love The Big Short, Im so glad it won Best Picture´. And I absolutely lost it because I knew for a fact Spotlight won that year.

Jennifer is so fucked up with the awards, she even posed in a major magazine (I can't recall the name) with Charlize Theron and Naomi Watts about who's winning oscar in 2004. She got nothing at the end of the year...and she's still getting snubbed, like for Snowpiercer.

maybe if I tried re-watching it as an adult vs late teen but OMG Cold Mountain was boring and slow!

Ben Kingsley is a really good actor.

No SNL cast members have won an oscar, but one cast member of mad tv does (leave a guess in the replies)

Depp should have won this. Jack Sparrow is even today one of the most original characters ever created and no one could have played Jack Sparrow other than Depp.

Sean penn's performance generated much more sadness and suffering, on the other hand, Bill murray's performance was good but almost conveyed nothing. The complaints about Bill murray are due more to the fact that it was now or never to win the Oscar than to the fact that he gave a great performance.

I think I would actually have gone for Johnny Depp here, but I actually haven't seen Cold Mountain or House of Sand and Fog. I really want to check those out. Awesome analysis.

Bill Murray is funny, but Sean Penn is a better actor. And I’m sorry, I hated Lost in Translation. Sean Penn was heartbreaking in Mystic River. Penn deserved the win.

Depp deserved it over both of them

The Oscar's are a joke... How about just giving the damn award for the most talented X that year, not for reasons like... Ooh he/ she/ it /this /that deserved it last year/3 years ago/ a decade ago... I'd vote for an AI to do the judging. The majority of awards are just not about actual talent, or an honest appreciation of a certain art form.

Actually in Mystic River, it was Tim Robbins that became the #1 suspect.

I would have awarded Sean for "Dead man walking" instead of "Mystic river". The win for "Milk" was well deserved. I just think "Mystic river" is a crime genre movie and there's have been lots of those, before and after 2004, on the big screen and for TV. "Lost in translation" a movie I still refuse to watch, i find coupling Bill Murray with a teen Scarlet too cringy. And I've liked all other Sofia Coppola's films. I'd have given that Oscar to Johnny Depp, maybe Disney wouldn't have dared to fire him afterwards

Johnny Depp >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I think if Depp went supporting - he probably would have won.

Murray got robbed. Sean Penn overacts like every other movie. The whole overdue nonsense is crap. It should be about the performance. Penn was overacting while Murray gave a realistic performance. Also, they gave Penn the award years later for Milk. But the Academy has always been a popularity contest.

Bill Murray is very overrated actor!

The only actor i love watching in Mystic river is Tim Robbins, and maybe the guy that plays the daughter’s boyfriend comes second

Johnny Depp should've won. Johnny won SAG and had the most transformative performance. If he didn't get canceled, he would win this handily in this day and age. I'd be fine with JD or Sean Penn winning that year. I think Johnny deserved it but I like Sean Penns performance more and he was far more overdue.