I know what you mean and it is a great shame he wouldn't be around to pick it up, should he win, but the award's more about our appreciation of them than their appreciation of the award, imo. A mark of recognition for an exceptional performance and to focus our attention on that performance one more time. I'm sure his family and loved ones would appreciate the gesture and prestige just as much any one else who'd get their hands on it. And I know I wouldn't want to pick up the award if I did not truly believe that mine was the outstanding performance of the period. Just my $0.02!

Exceptional film but it is still of the action genre and they're pretty easy to nitpick as a rule.