Oscar Dark Horses: Corey Stoll

He delivers a scene-stealing performance in Woody Allen's most financially successful film yet, but for some reason, no one is talking about Corey Stoll. Playing Ernest Hemingway in "Midnight in Paris," the actor manages to make the legend sexy, romantic, and hilarious all at once. Just recall how he delivers one  of the best pieces of dialogue all year:

"I believe that love that is true and real creates a respite from death. All cowardice comes from not loving or not loving well, which is the same thing. And when the man who is brave and true looks death squarely in the face like some rhino hunters I know or Belmonte, who is truly brave, it is because they love with sufficient passion to push death out of their minds. Until it returns, as it does to all men. And then you must make really good love again. Think about it."

 

Allen could have cast a star as the famous author, much like he did with Adrien Brody playing Salvador Dali, but I love that Stoll landed this role. It's always fun to feel like you're truly discovering someone great for the first time. I don't know much more about Stoll, other than he's had small roles in a ton of films and was a regular in "Law & Order: LA," which I never caught. But he sure cleans up nice, no?

--Jenelle Riley