Traditionally one of the most competitive categories at the Oscars, Best Actor this year sees a huge range displayed by the 5 nominees. There's James Franco, carrying a film from a single location in 127 Hours; Javier Bardem, spiralling downwards in Biutiful; Colin Firth, struggling to get his words out in The King's Speech; Jesse Eisenberg, as the thinking man's nerd in The Social Network; and Jeff Bridges, gunning for the double after last year's win, in True Grit. Who'll emerge triumphant? Read our guide to figure it out...
Why He Will Win
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletgreen.gif)His performance in Biutiful is the bright spark in a bleak film.
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletred.gif)The Academy doesn't often award foreign-language performances - especially since the Begnini award is seen as something of an embarrassment.Can the Academy resist the temptation to give the award to Bridges? That would be twice in a row for him, and twice for the same role (John Wayne also bagged the prize for the same role in 1969).It *would* be two years in a row, and two years in a row past two strong consecutive Colin Firth performances (in last year's A Single Man and this year's The King's Speech) would add insult to injury. That seems a little unfair.Eisenberg creates an entirely believeable character in the film's version of Mark Zuckerberg, mixing arrogance and insecurity, genius and cluelessness in equal measure.It's%20about%20time%20that%20the%20[curly-haired%20got%20some%20Hollywood%20love](http://www.empireonline.com/empireblogs/empire-states/post/p930?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Why He Won't Win
He%20hasn't%20got%20the%20body%20of%20work%20behind%20him%20that%20most%20winners%20tend%20to%20have.%20Films%20like%20Zombieland%20(while%20ace?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletred.gif)He's under 40. With the exception of Adrien Brody, Oscars in recent years almost always to go to older actors.It's an Oscar-friendly role, combining disability and royalty (both winners), in an Oscar friendly film (period drama touching on historical events). He's also got a SAG win behind him to prove how popular he is with his fellow thesps.The US fought a War of Independence to free itself of the British monarchy; are the Oscar voters really willing to undo all that history?It's%20clear%20that%20this%20guy%20is%20a%20serious%20actor%20(and%20author,%20and%20photographer,%20and%20artist,%20and%20student?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
](http://empireonline.media/jpg/50/0/0/640/480/aspectfit/0/0/0/0/0/0/l/uploaded/oscarbulletgreen.gif)As trapped climber Aron Ralston, Franco had the tricky task of carrying this entire feature single-handed - if you'll forgive the pun. He does so with a brilliant combination of humour and acting smarts; you won't believe this is the guy from Pineapple Express.He's too young, and too known for the wrong thing (comedies, superhero movies) to sway the voters.![