BEST ACTRESS
It seems to be a very rich year in what comes to acting. Just like the fantastic lineup of Best Actor contenders (I'm writing the next post), Best Actress promises to be as good or even better. From a celebrated veteran actress who's overdue for an Oscar win (Glenn Close who plays a woman trying to free herself from her toxic husband in a film festival-praised performance in The Wife) to a newcomer (Kiki Layne, who promises to deliver a breakthrough performance as pregnante young girl in Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk, filling the young ingenue + black actress + breakthrough performance spot), "diversity" might be this year's word. And let's not forget the Sundance actress of the year, Carey Mulligan, in her biggest acting showcase ever according to critics (or, at least, since 2009's An Education) as a wife in crisis in Paul Dano's Wildlife, while Julianne Moore, one of the most gifted actresses these days, plays the lead in the Eglish-language remake of the Chilean movie Gloria (but she'll face comparisons with Paulina García's near-perfect performance, although I believe Moore is able to be as inspiring or even better than her). And then, after being snubed for iconic performances in Sex, Lies and Videotape (1989), Green Card (1990), Short Cuts (1993) or Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Andie MacDowell might have found an Oscar vehicle in the indie drama Love After Love (such a luminous performance, she's amazing in it) and she might score the first Oscar nomination of her career for playing a woman who discovers herself as a sexual being in the middle of a personal drama during her 50's.
Other contenders include:
- Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place OR Mary Poppins Returns - She's overdue for her first Oscar nomination, Blunt has already built some buzz for her performance in A Quiet Place (a huge indie hit in terms of critical reception and box-office!!!), but she also has Mary Poppins Returns. She can only be nominated for one of them... Vote spliting? She is the lead in both movies, so it seems hard to promote her in both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress races for each movie.
- Stefani Germanotta / Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born - It's no joke. I really believe Lady Gaga might well be contending for a Best Actress nomination. While I have to admit she was simply not good in Machete Kills, I thought she was pretty good in American Horror Story: Hotel (TV series). Now, she takes on a legendary role that went to Janet Gaynor, Judi Garland and Barbra Streisand in previous adaptations. The trailer looks damn good and Lady Gaga has the voice and enough talent to deliver an award-worthy performance if she's under the right direction! A lock for the Golden Globes, for sure. A (movie) star is born?
- Scarlett Johansson, [Untitled Noah Baumbach Project] - A huge star who's also overdue for her first Academy Award nomination... After memorable performances in Ghost World, Lost In Translation, Match Point, Her or Under the Skin, she remains in the "never-nominated club". Noah Baumbach often writes memorable female parts (remember Greta Gerwig in Frances Ha and Greenberg? Or Laura Linney in The Squid and the Whale?). She has the talent and she's overdue... Let's wait for the movie and see how AMPAS reacts to another Netflix production (but early word says Johansson's incredible).
- Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? - The AMPAS loves when a comedy actor goes drama and if they've already nominated McCarthy for a pure comedy performance (2011's Bridesmaids), then can go easily for her if Can You Ever Forgive Me? proves to be any good. On paper, it's a good project. On paper, it's a juicy role. And judging by the trailer, she delivers!!! Right now, she's a movie star and a profitable actress in the comedy field. If her "adventure" in more dramatic areas works, I believe she'll be in the talk.
- Saoirse Ronan, Mary Queen of Scots - She's fresh from the Lady Bird's love and she has just scored her third Oscar nomination last year. Is she the Meryl Streep of her generation? Not sure, but she might well be the most talented actress of the millenials branch. Now, she's playing a doomed young queen, Mary Queen of Scots. Playing royalty in period pieces doesn't always guarantees an Oscar nomination, because most times this kind of movies turn to be "too cheesy" or "too soap-opera like". She'll be brilliant for sure... let pray for a good film.
Comments