Someone throw these guys a bone

Listen up, award show hounds: The results are in for the 2014 BAFTAs and Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper might not be all too happy with the findings. It appears that yes, yet again, not only Leo but Cooper have been denied an award for a critically acclaimed performance. The Lead Actor BAFTA ended up going (deservedly) to British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor for his role in 12 Years a Slave and the Supporting Actor BAFTA went to newcomer Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips. The decision must truly be a difficult one for those voting on these accolades. Do you award someone who has put on a stellar performance year after year or a breakout star who put it all on the line?

One thing has become crystal clear though, and that's that Leonardo DiCaprio always seems to be the one who has to wait his turn despite turning out masterful and heartfelt performances in quite honestly every role he plays. In recent years, it seems someone else has joined DiCaprio in the always a bridesmaid, never a bride type of award season disappointment, fellow baby blue eyed actor, Bradley Cooper. Cooper too has dished out emotionally honest and compelling performances, gaining notoriety, praise, and countless nominations to be left in the audience, applauding another actor as he watches him take the stage and the glory.

Do both DiCaprio and Cooper suffer from some sort of serious case of leading man syndrome? After all, they're both are handsome, talented, and in their late thirties. They are lauded not only by expert directors but they're sought out to be cast in their films (and those films usually go on to win Oscars). But they themselves are never given the credit for their part in the success of the films. Yes, it does seem almost too easy to give someone like DiCaprio an award because he's that good, but maybe it's time he has something to show for it. Consistency shouldn't be overlooked, it should be rewarded.

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