Why Leonardo DiCaprio Shouldn't Win the Oscar This Year...

Rating: 6/10 (25 January 2016)

Starting with "Titanic" in 1997, I grew up watching Leo's movies. He is a great actor; I hope no one denies that. This year marks his 6th Oscar nomination for Best Actor. But to say that he should win an Oscar for his portrayal of the bear-mauled hunter/fur trader Hugh Glass in "The Revenant" is an overstatement.
This is, after all, an award category for best acting, not for physical suffering. I applaud Leo's dedication - freezing in the cold, eating raw bison, sleeping inside an animal carcass - all of which was difficult even to watch. Leo's lines were minimal due to the fact that his character's throat got ripped open by the bear. His acting also lacked depth; besides a very strong will to survive, I did not see anything unforgettable.
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Tom Hardy, on the other hand, dominated the screen. Hardy's John Fitzgerald was not only believable but also relatable. Hardy, down to his facial expressions, gave us a flawed and vulnerable villain.
I'm not discrediting the movie all together. The film, aesthetically speaking, was very enjoyable. Director Alejandro Iñárritu insisted on filming in natural light with simultaneous sound recording, and production took 9 long months. I have to give major props to the entire cast and crew for surviving such harsh conditions.
I would rather Iñárritu win Best Director (but I'm really rooting for George Miller on this one) than having Leo win Best Actor. I know I am not of popular opinion this year. It was sad to watch him lose in 2015, but I want him to win one day for the best performance of his career, and this is not it.