BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Benedict wins Critics Choice Award (short rant)

**Posted by SusiGo** January 17, 2014 9:56 am

Well, this is all very nice but really, not even nominating him for any of his acting parts and giving him the award as Hottest Hollywood Actor? I think it is about time to concentrate on his work again instead of handing him around as a sex symbol. Of course he is attractive but so are many others. It is the work that distinguishes him.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2014-critics-choice-awards-winners-671707

**Posted by gently69** January 17, 2014 10:20 am

You are damned right! He is a BRILLIANT actor. Can this be once recognised please???
Maybe he has chances with his Alan Turing...

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 17, 2014 10:30 am

But what does 'Hottest' even mean, in this context? Does it really mean 'sexy', or does it mean that he's in great demand in Hollywood right now...?

**Posted by SusiGo** January 17, 2014 10:55 am

This is exactly what I mean. In fact it can mean everything - nicest tux on the red carpet, most beautiful smile, most films in a year ...
I think the fans voted in this category which is fine. But this does not excuse the fact that he was not nominated as an actor.

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 17, 2014 10:59 am

The fact that he wasn't nominated as an actor once again is what I call a 'political decision'. There's only one movie he could have been nominated for, "The Fifth Estate". And since that movie wasn't a big success, they wouldn't even dream of nominating anyone from that movie, no matter how brilliant the performance. Which is utter and complete bull***, but that's how these things work.

**Posted by gently69** January 17, 2014 11:08 am

His role in "12 Years a Slave" was to small, even to be nominated as an supporting actor... I suppose?

**Posted by SolarSystem** January 17, 2014 11:13 am

gently, probably, but just think about Dame Judi Dench and her Oscar for "Shakespeare in Love"... eight minutes on screen, something like that?
But again, that was a political decision, because she was nominated in the previous year and didn't win. Same thing happened with Russell Crowe, he was nominated for "The Insider" and didn't win (but he should have, IMO), so the following year he won for "Gladiator". I mean, come on, "Gladiator"...?!?!

But then again, Michael Fassbender would always win as "Best Supporting Actor", just because his role in "12 Years" was bigger than Benedict's and he had more opportunities to really show his talent than Benedict.

Last edited by SolarSystem (January 17, 2014 11:16 am)

**Posted by SusiGo** January 17, 2014 11:15 am

Possibly. And he does not have so much screen time in AOC either although the two scenes I saw were brilliant. It is a fact that he has done most of his best work so far on television, not in cinema. And in Britain they do excellent TV while in Hollywood there might not be so many good roles for him. But we should not give up hope.

**Posted by gently69** January 17, 2014 11:25 am

So let's put our hopes on "The Imitation Game".

**Posted by Schmiezi** January 17, 2014 11:46 am

SusiGo wrote:
It is a fact that he has done most of his best work so far on television, not in cinema.

So true - and let's not forget his performances on stage.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 17, 2014 11:52 am

Oh, yes. Love the two I had the chance to see.

Not to mention the radio work ...

Last edited by SusiGo (January 17, 2014 11:52 am)

**Posted by gently69** January 17, 2014 11:57 am

Well.... I am confident that his time will come, also on the big screen. And then he can't be ignored any more.

**Posted by Biggles86** January 17, 2014 5:32 pm

I like to think it's because he's such hot property in films at the moment and that's why he got the award. Not many people can be getting the coverage he is at the moment with so many films out.

Let's assume it's because everyone wants to work with him, not just that he is unbelievably attractive!!

**Posted by tonnaree** January 17, 2014 9:45 pm

I do understand your feelings Susi. Another example for me is him getting a BAFTA for basically having a good year. He deserves a BAFTA specifically for his work in Sherlock and I think he will get one. Agree with gently that his time is coming. Right now his career is a snowball rolling down hill, it's only going to get bigger and pick up speed as it goes.