BBC News Online: In Depth: Oscars 2000

Michael Caine set for Oscars

Caine, nominated for best supporting actor in the critically acclaimed movie Cider House Rules, says he is too superstitious to prepare his acceptance speech just yet.

"I think it would be very unlucky," he told the BBC's Breakfast with Frost.

He has been to the Oscars three times before - but he lost each time. In fact, the time he did win, he did not attend the Oscars that year.

"So what I've decided is that I'm going to go there and I don't mind if I lose.

"I'd rather be there and lose than not be there and win," he said. "It's also great fun anyway."

Challenge

In Cider House Rules, Caine, who swaps his trademark Cockney accent for a New England one, plays Dr Larch, the tutor of an orphan boy who leaves to explore the world.

It is not the first time that Caine has acted with an American accent.

He played a man from the south of America in Harry's Sundown, but he said mastering a New England accent was more of a challenge.

It took him three months to get the accent right, relying on his voice coach for direction.
Caine said he regarded Cider House Rules as one of his best films.

"To me, that's my best performance - apart from Educating Rita - based on the fact that I went as deep into a character than I am most unlike," he said.

Caine said he thought the Best Film Oscar would go to either Cider House Rules or the highly acclaimed American Beauty by British director Sam Mendes.