2009 Academy Awards: What if Heath Ledger doesn't win?

We are one week away from the Academy Awards and this year has produced more competitive categories then ever before...with the exception of one. The category I speak of is none other than the Best Supporting Actor category, where everyone has already determined that the late Heath Ledger will win a posthumous award for his depiction of The Joker in the smash hit The Dark Knight.

It isn't just the general public who feels this way...it is also a sentiment shared by his competition. In a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, Michael Shannon (a nominee for Revolutionary Road conceded that he sees no chance of a victory for anyone other than Ledger.

"Obviously there's a lot of talk about how this is going to be a time to commemorate Heath Ledger and not only the amazing performance he gave in The Dark Knight, but his whole body of work, and I'll probably be doing that along with everyone else."

So, because of this overwhelming sentiment...it seems that no one is asking the most intriguing question...what if Heath Ledger doesn't win that posthumous Oscar?

Now I have made my feelings about Ledger and his performance in The Dark Knight very clear. I think that it is overrated, no one judged it sanely, and the only reason he is going to win is because he died. However, that doesn't change the fact that he is going to win. I'm just asking the question: could an upset happen? and if it does...how will the world react?

Lets look at the nominees...all of which I feel are just as, if not more deserving than Ledger of this award.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Doubt...Hoffman's performance as a troubled priest accused of sexual molestation proves that he is one of...if not the best actor on the planet. He would get more consideration if he hadn't won an Oscar in 2006 for Capote. This is just not his year, even though he deserves it.

Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder...Downey's portrayal of the craziness and absurdity of method acting in the form of an Australian method actor who dons blackface was incredibly hilarious and greatly skilled. This has been Downey's comeback year and an Oscar would be a nice icing on the cake for him. I mean, it would be nice to honor someone who overcame his addictions and is now enjoying a second life.

Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road...Shannon steals the show from both Kate and Leo as an institutionalized mathematician who spews the venomous truth with little regard for others. He commands the screen in every scene he is in. If Ledger were alive, there would be more buzz for this performance...because it is the only one that surpasses Ledger's level of discomfort and crazy. The academy probably feels that Shannon will be back to the show someday.

Josh Brolin for Milk...Brolin's depiction of Milk assassin and tortured soul Dan White has my vote. Brolin has enjoyed an amazing couple of years and his performance as a broken down City Supervisor outdoes Ledger in every way imaginable. Brolin finds the bruised heart in a man who many see as a monster. If there is any man who should and could overtake Ledger...this is it.

Let's pretend that when the Best Supporting Category is announced, that a name other than Heath Ledger is called as the winner. How would the world react?

For starters, I would hate to be the actor who wins. He would have to go up and accept the award with Ledger's still grieving family in attendance...he would instantly be hated in the blogosphere and fan boy sites nationwide...for doing absolutely nothing wrong.

Speaking of the blogosphere...there would be such an outrage and backlash against the Oscars that it would take years for the show to recover...I mean look how pissed every basement dwelling troll with a laptop in the country became when Christopher Nolan and The Dark Knight were passed over in the Best Director and Best Picture categories. That firestorm would be nothing compared to a Heath Ledger snub for Best Supporting Actor.

Lastly, how would I react? If Heath Ledger's name was not announced and a different actor would take his rightful place on the Oscar grand stage...I would laugh my ass off and scream with joy...you may think I am disrespectful, but the Oscars should not be a night of sentiment...it should be a night to honor the best...which Ledger simply was not.

We all know that Ledger is going to win...so this whole post has been just a lot of hot air. However, that can't stop me from sitting on my couch on February 22nd and hoping for an Oscar upset.

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