Julia Roberts has joined calls for Javier Bardem to be awarded an Oscar for his emotional performance in new movie BIUTIFUL.
The Spanish actor has received rave reviews for his portrayal of a dying cancer patient, and the film's director, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu previously declared Bardem's performance worthy of an Academy Award.
Roberts has now thrown her weight behind her Eat Pray Love co-star, hosting a special screening of the film for her industry pals in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (04Jan11).
And the Pretty Woman actress is adamant Bardem deserves recognition for his efforts, telling EW.com, "He's so raw and completely open to sharing every emotion this character has. I was telling him at dinner tonight, when I watched it I had to keep stopping and saying, 'Okay, this is not actually happening to Javier.' Because it's his face and his big eyes. I think it's unexpected for a man to expose himself so deeply. And it's incredibly agonising in its subtleties...
"I think the movie hasn't gotten the exposure (needed for awards nominations). You don't know where it is. It's like this hidden little jewel. Especially in this particular season, people don't hunt for things. They just take what you throw in their face."
And Roberts insists she will be outraged if Bardem doesn't receive an Academy Awards nomination, adding, "If there's not hope for talent, then we're f**ked."