John says, "The two shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with each other... but I suspect this film may hurt Heath Ledger's Oscar chances for Brokeback Mountain".

I see what you mean but then how on earth would this film hurt his chances? Like you I also dont see the connection, or am I just being thick?

Keira Knightley Domino = bad
Keira Knightley Pride & Prejudice = great

Ditto Charlize Theron in North Country and Aeon Flux. It might hurt both of their chances.

But you didnt explain how? It's still 2 different kind or genré of the actor's work in question.

Why would another piece of work of the same actor, released in the same year affect their nominations, eventually getting the award?

I have not seen Casanova, nor Brokeback Mountain, but if Ledger proves to be fantastic in Brokeback Mountain how could his role in Casanova hurt his chances? Am I looking at Ledger in both movies as the person or the actor? The actor with a wide range? Now it will be different if you told me he played both roles the same, now that will DEFINITELY hurt his chances.

To take Supermonkey's argument further, I have only seen Knightley in P&P;, and I thought she was very good, but if I also saw Domino (which) does that mean because her performance there wasnt too good, the chances of her nominations are poor? Just doesnt make REAL sense. Either one of your piece of performance is deserving of a nomination or not.

I saw it at an the local arthouse theater. It was good. The writing was clever and very funny. I did note, however that the snotty theater-goers didn't seem to have a sense of humor, and my husband and I were often laughing when most of the audience was not. I think they were just taking themselves too seriously to get it. They should have all gone to see "The Libertine," which is really what they were expecting from "Casanova."

Hi Simone!

I believe what John is implying by his comment is that sometimes the academy appears to judge an actor on their performances as a whole. Heath Ledger gave a good performance in Brokeback Mountain, but now there is the poorly reviewed Casanova in which his performance can be viewed as mediorce, which can overshadow his good work. An academy member may decide not to vote for him for the simple choice of not liking one of his movies. It sounds dumb, but it could happen.

With that said, I think the fact that Heath played a homesexual cowboy will likely put him in the front running for an Oscar, and the poorly reviewed Casanova will only be a bad dream.