Tyler's Takes: Chadwick Boseman Should Have Won the Oscar for Best Lead Actor

With The Piano Lesson hitting Netflix this past weekend, I thought it would be fitting to further reflect on the film adaptations of August Wilson’s plays. His plays have proven to be impressionable, and the adaptations we’ve gotten have thus far emphasized that. From Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in 2016’s Fences to John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler in The Piano Lesson, at least one performance has soared to new heights. Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis make an exceptional case in 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Boseman, who posthumously earned an Oscar nomination for Best Lead Actor for his transformative performance, was widely expected to win the prize. However, the award ultimately went to Anthony Hopkins for The Father. And while Hopkins delivered a masterclass in acting, Boseman’s performance transcended conventional boundaries, making a compelling case for why he should have been the one to win.

Boseman played Levee Green, an ambitious and distraught musician grappling with racial trauma and personal demons. Boseman infused the character with a palpable vulnerability and explosive energy that revealed the character’s complexity. His portrayal of Levee was a tour de force, oscillating between fiery ambition and heartbreaking despair. Through his work, Boseman gave voice to the historical injustices African Americans faced, particularly in art and music. His monologue about his mother’s assault and his confrontation with God showcased acting of the highest caliber, blending raw emotion with technical precision. His performance carried an added weight because it was delivered while he was privately battling terminal cancer. Despite his illness, he gave a performance that was both physically demanding and emotionally profound, embodying a resilience that mirrored his personal struggles. This context underscores his dedication and artistry to his craft, making his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom remarkable and monumental.

Boseman’s untimely death in 2020 left an indelible mark on Hollywood and his fans worldwide. His nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was seen as an opportunity to honor his performance and extraordinary legacy. Winning the Oscar would have been a symbolic gesture recognizing his contributions to cinema, his trailblazing work as a Black actor, and the impact he made in such a short time. Playing historical black figures such as Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall helped Boseman resonate with audiences. He further capitalized his mark by playing T’Challa in the MCU. While the Academy Awards are meant to reward merit, they also serve as cultural milestones, and awarding Boseman would have aligned with the broader cultural narrative of reckoning with systemic racism and celebrating underrepresented voices.

There is no denying Anthony Hopkins’ brilliance in The Father. His portrayal of an elderly man struggling with dementia was poignant and deeply affecting, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest actors. However, Hopkins’ victory, while well-deserved, didn’t feel as commanding as some of his other roles. Hopkins himself acknowledged the loss of Boseman in his acceptance speech, a testament to the late actor’s powerful impact. Hopkins’ performances in The Silence of the Lambs, Amistad, The Two Popes, and Armageddon Time showcase his range, and he never once makes it feel sappy. In The Father, you can’t help but ponder if Hopkins is getting too invested in the character or trying to be convincing enough to audiences that he is Anthony (that’s his character’s actual name in the film). Boseman in Ma Rainey is a performance that comes from the heart, and his agony is more than what audiences think.

The Academy's handling of the awards ceremony also marred Hopkins' victory. The decision to announce Best Lead Actor last, presumably to create a climactic tribute to Boseman, only highlighted the disappointment when he did not win. This misstep underscored the disconnect between public sentiment and the Academy’s choice. Instead, a part of Boseman’s legacy will be receiving a singular Oscar nomination for a role where he gave the performance of a lifetime and fell short.

The Academy’s decision to pass over Boseman for the award felt like a missed opportunity to celebrate a generational talent whose life and career were tragically cut short. They refused to make a statement about the power of representation, the importance of cultural context, and the celebration of an artist. When an actor wins a prestigious award like the Oscar and commemorates his win to a late fellow nominee, you know they agreed that they don’t deserve the win.

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