Where is the Oscar buzz for Gordon Pinsent?

Last night, Julie Christie won a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Performance by an Actress for Away From Her. This is yet another step closer to Oscar for Ms. Christie. I think Christie was great in Away From Her, but where are the accolades for Gordon Pinsent, who plays Christie's husband in Sarah Polley's directorial debut? As good as Christie is in Away From Her, Pinsent is the one who carries the film, and is the film's emotional anchor.

I suspect the snubbing of Pinsent has to do with the fact that he has not made it a habit of appearing in many American productions, film or television. If you look at his resume on IMDB, you will see a long list of Canadian productions. Perhaps many people in America do not know who he is, but after watching his performance in Away From Her, how can anyone not think his performance ranks up there with George Clooney in Michael Clayton or Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd?

Is this a snub of Canadian talent? After all, Sarah Polley herself has not been nominated in many directorial categories. Although Away From Her has received much praise from critics, and has made many top ten lists for '07, I believe that the film's awards will go mainly to Christie.

But next Tuesday, let's hope that there will be a few surprises when the Oscar nominees are announced. And let's hope one of those surprises is Gordon Pinsent.