Mantra for Oscar figures: Know thyself

'War Horse'Numerous figures fight identity crises in films nominated for 2011 Oscars, including throroughbred Joey in War Equine and Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs.Honours function as a time capsule, shining an easy on films that reflect the and concerns from the moment. The challengers for that 84th Oscars have a recurring lament one of the figures: "I'm not sure who I'm anymore.Inch That isn't a brand new question, however it appeared more pervasive than ever before this year -- that is understandable, because the economy and technology are spinning old rules every single day. Many obituaries of Jobs this year cited his 2005 Stanford commencement address as he stated, "Your time and effort is restricted so don't waste it living another person's existence." That concept appears to have been receiving your brain of numerous filmmakers. In "Albert Nobbs," Jesse McTeer informs Glenn Close, "Albert, it's not necessary to be not what you are.Inch But poor old Albert does not know precisely who he-she's to begin with. Even though Albert is residing in a self-made prison, thoroughbred Joey in "War Equine" has their own horsey identity crisis because he submits to humans' anticipation of him: plow equine, fight stallion, jumper or war equine. The protagonists in "Bridesmaids" and "Night time in Paris" are attempting in vain to satisfy others' anticipation. In "Rango," a chameleon survives by inventing a brand new persona. The Earl of Oxford and William Shakespeare both make believe you be somebody they are not in "Anonymous." In past Oscar films, Scarlett O'Hara, Don Corleone, Forrest Gump and Anton Chigurh faced challenges, but never appeared paralyzed by self-doubts. However in 2011, people had only uncertainty. Terrorism and disasters reminded everybody that the kind heart and good planning aren't any match for cruel fate. The current recession demonstrated that durability in a clients are no guarantee of employment, which bank financial loans offer no assurance that you'll own your house.So when the planet is not that which you were brought to think, it's natural to question whether you're really the individual you'd imagined. Even Margaret Thatcher in "Iron Lady," the personification of the stick-to-your-guns confidence, watches footage of herself on television and muses, "I do not recognize myself." A troubled George Clooney in "The Descendants" informs his comatose wife, "I am prepared to change." In "Youthful Adult," Charlize Theron confesses, "I have to change, Sandra." He is doing, she does not. His film got nominated, hers did not.Inside a variation from the theme, many figures labored tough to make certain nobody got too near to them or discovered their real selves: Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) in "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo," Ben Kingsley in "Hugo," the majority of the MI6 agents in "Mess Tailor Soldier Spy," Ewan McGregor in "Beginners," Ryan Gosling in "Drive," and a minimum of two decades of folks in "The Tree of Existence."All of them appeared to become embodying the "Contagion" tagline: "Don't speak with anybody. Don't touch anybody," although the no-touch rules were as emotional because they were physical. (That's also the case with the leads in 2 notable 2011 films which were Oscar no-shows now: "J. Edgar" and "Shame.") Of all of the year's figures, Christopher Plummer in "Beginners" appears most more comfortable with the main turnabout in the existence, telling his boy, "I loved your mother however I wish to explore this side." Contact Timothy M. Grey at tim.grey@variety.com