Leo is also one of very few actors to have developed unique, trusting relationships with film directors, particularly with Martin Scorsese and most recently with Alejandro Iñárritu.
Perhaps it is a surprise, if not an outrage, that DiCaprio has yet to win an Academy Award, though 2016 might be his year for doing so. Having neatly swept both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award in the new year, both for Best Actor, it seems reasonable to think that DiCaprio will win the Oscar too, on February 28th, for his performance in The Revenant.
An interesting question is whether winning the Oscar, or in fact not winning it this year (or ever), should affect his legacy. And should Leo be bothered about it?
Well, he isn't and he's absolutely right.
"I am really moved by all the people on the internet demanding that I win an Oscar. But, to be honest, I only do this job because I love it, not to win prizes." Leonardo DiCaprio
Whether an actor wins an Academy Award is completely beyond his or her control. Winning the award signifies the fact that leading figures in Academy express their commendation for an actor's performance and hard work in a given year.
Winning an Oscar will no doubt be a delight for DiCaprio, but it is unlikely that it will be a defining moment for his career or that he will think about acting differently after winning.
Like most successful people, DiCaprio is in his line of business for the enjoyment and enriching experience. He loves acting and he's damn good at it. If he were to think incessantly about winning an award, no matter how prestigious, his performance may crumble and discredit his reputation.
He sets an example that all of us should follow:
To pursue our passion relentlessly, without any ambition for attention, prizes, or fame,
and to be of service to society
What is less commonly known is that DiCaprio is an ardent environmentalist. Last month, in January 2016, he was invited to appear at the World Economic Forum to receive an award commending the measures taken by his foundation to enhance environmental awareness across the globe. Through his foundation, DiCaprio is doing his bit to make the world a safer and better place, and doing so clearly makes his happy, otherwise he would not bother wasting his time and money on this cause.
For the sake of our own health and well being, it is important that we learn from Leo and his outlook on life. He realises that obsessing about winning awards is a risky move. Not only can doing so lead to bitter disappointment, but the mental exertion results in a waste of valuable talent, talent that Leo better utilises towards producing world class movies and addressing environmental problems.
Oscar or no Oscar, DiCaprio, like everyone else, will pass away at some point. And in his final moments, I bet that his thoughts will be on his family, his experiences working on set with actors, directors, and producers, and his philanthropic service to society.
My money is on Leo winning the Academy Award. But in the instance that he does not, he will share a smile with himself, praise the winner, and continue enjoying his life as a game-changing actor.
No comments:
Post a Comment