Oscar watch: What makes a ‘truly astonishing’ performance?

One thing I’ve learned as a movie critic over the years is that a good actor will get me through a bad film. The movies right now might not be the best but the general level of acting in them is high. It’s been this way for a while. I suspect this is primarily because there are many more good actors than there are good roles for them to play. Lots of silk purses are being spun from a sow’s ear. 

Of course, the ideal is when actor and role are equally distinguished, and 2019, despite its

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