Leo Sean Penn and Virgo Mickey Rourke are both grown men and seasoned actors who gave critically lauded performances this year in Milk and The Wrestler respectively. But that doesn’t stop them from desperately wanting only one thing. Both thespians want the Best Actor statuette so badly this year that the campaigning has turned into intricate war or eloquent words. Penn (born on August 17, 1960) already has an Oscar somewhere on his shelf for the Mystic River, while Rourke (born on September 16, 1956) has undergone not only a physical facelift, but also a career one as well to get into an elite derby. An Academy Award would be not only a nice, gold plated souvenir but also a “Welcome Back” invite to Hollywood’s fickle A-list.
And the race so far hasn’t been easy. It started at Gotham awards back in late 2008, where Penn continued to infuriate elite press by treating them like escaped third caste citizens. Then about a week later, a taped conversation came out in which Rourke not only put down Penn’s performance but also questioned his chances for a nomination. At Golden Globes, Penn fails to show up and Rourke triumphs. At SAG Awards Penn collects a trophy while his main competitor chews on the bread stick. So, why is the race so openly uncivilized?
Truthfully both actors have difficult reputations streaming from their very unbalanced charts. But whose is more volatile? Penn has a soothing Cancer Moon, but showy Leo Mercury. He has an erratic Gemini Mars and often-uncommitted Virgo Venus. Rourke possesses a photogenic Aquarius Moon, timid Libra Mercury, and often fragile Pisces Mars. But that last planet of war might be just the blessing that he needs on the Academy Awards night. The Oscars this year will be handed out during the Pisces period and Rourke will likely collect his statue. Expect Penn to immediately call for his driver.
