Sorry to hear that, Magilla. Also, I'll say that I do understand the praise for Riz Ahmed. I think it's more fitting to say I don't get it for Steven Yeun. He was just... fine. I understand it for Riz Ahmed, I just don't share the enthusiasm.Big Magilla wrote
As someone who's suffered with hearing problems for the last five years, Sound of Metal and Ahmed's performance in it, totally blew me away. He gets my vote hands down.
I like Yeun's performance very much. It was strong without being showy.
Hopkins had some great moments in The Father but the screenplay was more confusing than it needed to be.
Oldman was a bit of a bore.
Boseman was fine as a part of the ensemble in which he was the standout, but I still think the role is a supporting one even if the Ma Rainey character's screen time is less. If he and Kaluuya had switched categories, he could have been the one to win that race. Had he switched places with Stanfield instead, Kaluuya would likely have still won there.
No, I think Chadwick Boseman is the lead. His character is the only one with an arc. He drives the plot and Viola Davis' Ma Rainey stands in the way. But I do think you're right. If Daniel Kaluuya was nominated for Best Actor, I do think he would have won over both Anthony Hopkins and Chadwick Boseman and I would've supported that.
In fact, a lineup that looked like this would've been awesome.
BEST ACTOR
Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Anthony Hopkins, The Father
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
Delroy Lindo, Da 5 Bloods