Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky and James Franco in Milk
Photo: Miramax and Focus Features

The only thing James Franco needs to concern himself with right now is continuing his streak to remind folks he isn't just the stupid character Harry Osbourne from the overblown Spider-Man franchise, a franchise I am sure has put plenty of coin in his pocket, but did nothing for his career.

Following Spider-Man 2 he starred in a trio of bad films. Annapolis was downright awful, Tristan and Isolde wasn't much better and Flyboys was equally dreadful. He had a few small films from then on until Spider-Man 3, which, once again did nothing for him. Even if he had done some great acting in any of the Spidey films it wouldn't have matter (by the way he was given some of the worst material ever as Harry Osborn) since the films were more about effects and battles than actual character development. However, it seems he is getting a bit of well-deserved recognition this year along with Happy-Go-Lucky star Sally Hawkins as the Hollywood Film Festival will bestow on each of them this year's breakthrough actor and actress kudos.

While I didn't think Franco was all that great in Pineapple Express I saw the potential and with Milk on the horizon as well as the should-be-ignored Nights in Rodanthe (in which I believe he goes uncredited despite being in the trailers) he should be well on his way to making a much bigger name for himself.

Sally Hawkins is among a select few already vying for the five Best Actress spots at the 2009 Oscars for her performance as the peppy Poppy in the Mike Leigh film Happy-Go-Lucky, which is receiving high marks on the festival circuit.

Last year the Hollywood Fest chose Ellen Page (Juno) and Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone and Assassination of Jesse James) as breakthrough actress and actor and Page went on to earn a Best Actress nomination and Affleck a Supporting Actor nom for Jesse James. Does this mean we can pencil Hawkins in for a Best Actress nom for Happy and a Supporting nod for Franco for Milk? I wouldn't get too far ahead of myself on Franco, but it appears Hawkins is likely to be a lock.

The Hollywood Fest begins Oct. 22 and runs through the 27th.

Related post categories: Kudos to You, Oscar Contenders : Happy-Go-Lucky, James Franco, Milk, Pineapple Express, Sally Hawkins

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