Can someone explain to me why Walken won an Oscar for his performance in the Deer Hunter? He is on screen for about 20% of the film and only speaks 15 sentences, ten of which are inaudible! Don't get me wrong, he played the role well but surprised that he won the Oscar. Does anyone know who the other nominees were?
shareI'm responding to the OP, but also to some who have replied in the last couple years.
To me, it's not only about screen time, and I don't mean to knock Walken - who was fine, but not all that compelling to me. I thought that Savage, and even Cazale, gave stronger performances in this film. Dzundza was also good. As for DeNiro, he was rightfully considered the lead, while the others were supporting. I thought DeNiro was at the top of his game here, and he has plenty of "game."
Because his acting was brilliant. He only spoke 15 sentences yet by the end of the movie the audience is just as distraught over his demise as his lifetime friends are. Walken is genius.
"Is that your IQ or the number of dipwads your mother had?" - Car Pool Man
He won because he hid that uncomfortable piece of metal up his ass for two years 😀
shareFor reference, Judy Densch was on the screen for 8 minutes in Shakespeare in Love and won an Oscar. That's the record as of now
shareSupporting role you absolute dumbass
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