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Every year it seems there are a number of performers in the thick of an Oscar hunt that don’t get the same attention as the expected heavy-hitters.
It’s no surprise, of course, that Oscar prognostication would lean toward the anticipation of what lies ahead, unseen, unproven. The mystery stays in tact, if for precious few moments. But a number of nominated actors and actresses, year after year, tend to bank on the underestimation of the masses, allowing those heavy-hitters to fall by the wayside and provide just the opportunity they were waiting for all along.
Here, then, is an attempt to shine a light on 10 stealthy contenders that seem to be flying low on the radar so far this season:
10. Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”
At the moment, “The Visitor” star Richard Jenkins might seem like the obvious bet for a list such as this. But with Overture Films planning an Oscar campaign for the character-actor-turned-leading-man and a year increasingly giving credence to smaller films, this gem of a performance from way back in the first quarter of the year could find room to make a move. A prime DVD release date will keep the film fresh in voters’ minds and perhaps divert some of the attention away from the Brad Pitts, Sean Penns and Frank Langellas for a spell.
9. Tobey Maguire, “Brothers”
Jim Sheridan’s Susanne Bier re-make “Brothers” has been so quiet that even yours truly forgets it is out there waiting in the wings. It remains to be seen whether MGM can sustain any reasonable Oscar campaign for the film, but one thing that seems to be standing out is Tobey Maguire’s performance as a P.O.W. in Afghanistan thought to be killed in action. The narrative recalls Bier’s “Things We Lost in the Fire,” and could be awards fodder for Jake Gyllenhaal as well, but Maguire is said to be the one to watch…and nobody’s watching him.
8. Clint Eastwood, “Gran Torino”
Clint Eastwood is so frequently underestimated at this stage that it’s becoming cliche. No one could have anticipated “Million Dollar Baby”’s sucker punch in late 2004, but perhaps more should have been on guard when he strolled into the end of the 2006 season with “Letters from Iwo Jima.” Already on a considerable buzz wave for the Angelina Jolie-starrer “Changeling,” which bowed at Cannes, the actor is still waiting in the wings with “Gran Torino.” And it’s a hell of a role that could even be the one that finally brings him gold as an actor.
7. Elizabeth Banks, “W.”
Film-goers are looking forward to Oliver Stone’s “W” with varying degrees of anxiety and expectation. An all-star cast begs consideration for a potential stand-out waiting to pounce, while Josh Brolin’s lead portrayal of the disgrace himself has plenty chomping at the bit. But early trailers seem to indicate a difficulty with seeing past the stars and into the roles of various figures within the Bush administration. The one actor that seems to be coming off clean from afar is Elizabeth Banks, who really has the only grounded role in the entire script and could be a dark horse amid the rubble.
6. Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”
All eyes are turned toward Mickey Rourke this year as a comeback story can’t be beat in Hollywood. Some have already anointed him this year’s frontrunning contender in the lead actor field, while director Darren Aronofsky has received his fair share of kudos as well. But tucked into many a review are solid — in some cases fawning — notices for Rourke’s co-star, Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei. Experiencing something of a career resuscitation herself as of late (performances in television’s “Rescue Me” and Sidney Lumet’s “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” have been well-received), she is certainly one of the more underestimated performers of 2008.
5. Liev Screiber, “Defiance”
Edward Zwick’s “Defiance” could go either way at the end of the day. One can never count Jews kicking Nazi ass out of any Oscar debate, despite the quality of the finished product. But by all backstage accounts, the performance to watch out for is Liev Schreiber’s as one of a brotherly trio that take a stand with Russian resistance fighters in the Belarussian forest. Zwick has nabbed supporting actor nominations for performers in three of his eight films to date.
4. Elsa Zylberstein, “I’ve Loved You So Long”
Another case of all eyes being on the lead actor, many prognosticators have failed to notice some glowing assessments of Elsa Zylberstein’s work alongside Kristin Scott Thomas in “I’ve Loved You So Long.” At the end of the day, Philippe Claudel’s film could be the beneficiary of serving France in the foreign language film race, in addition to a potential bid for Best Original Screenplay. And in the weakest acting category of the year (as usual), anyone is a contender.
3. James Franco, “Milk”
The initial expectation of Gus Van Sant’s Harvey Milk biopic was that Josh Brolin would be a stand-out as the assassin Dan White. Bigotry and homophobia can go a long way toward owning the scenery when such a character is on the screen. But it seems, from a read of the script and hearing things here and there, that James Franco’s performance as Milk’s lover, Scott Smith, is going to be the one to watch as he enjoys much more screen time than Brolin and obviously has more of a supporting connection to the main character throughout.
2. Michelle Williams, “Wendy and Lucy”
The lead actress category is spinning heads this season. It has been some time since the field was so heavily stacked with more than a dozen leading ladies proving their cases left and right. But one Cannes favorite is flying way under the radar as a campaign begins to build behind the scenes from those who believe in the portrayal. Michelle Williams reportedly carries “Wendy and Lucy” through it’s emotional narrative, raising eyebrow after eyebrow along the way. A prominent role in Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche, New York” will keep her on the map and — let’s face it — it would be something of a fairytale to see her ride the awards circuit alongside Heath Ledger’s inevitable notices.
1. Michael Shannon, “Revolutionary Road”
Coming to a decision for this list’s #1 was a simpler task than I initially would have thought. The one name that hasn’t been brought up in any commentary of note has been Michael Shannon for his performance as a mental patient in Sam Mendes’s upcoming Richard Yates adaptation “Revolutionary Road.” It’s understandable, of course, seeing as the Leo-Kate reunion is cat nip for the media. Kathy Bates can’t even get some love. But whispers on the winds tell me that Shannon owns the film every moment he’s on the screen. After a number of bit, character and supporting portrayals that have certainly given him a stage for talent exhibition, this could be his moment…and so far, precious few are looking his way.
Who do you think we’re underestimating at this point in the season? Tell us in the comments section below!
53 responses so far
1 9-16-2008 at 7:33 am
John Foote said...
Bravo Kris…nice to see Eastwood included — the man keeps growing as an artist. Gran Torino is a superb role for him at this stage of his career and could indeed be the one for him — might also eclipse Changeline, bear in mind Flags of Our Fathers was thought to be the major Oscar contender until it faltered and Letters from Iwo Jima got in there.
2 9-16-2008 at 7:43 am
Guy Lodge said...
Some smart choices here. I’ve had Shannon at the top end of my Supporting Actor list all year — in the book, it’s a brief but absolutely incendiary role, and I think he’s perfectly cast in it.
I also think Hiam Abbass from The Visitor may be one to watch, particularly if the campaign for Jenkins gains any traction. It’s a very moving, sympathetic performance — and as you’ve said, Supporting Actress is looking like a lean category.
3 9-16-2008 at 7:55 am
Jamie said...
I would add Dianne Weist’s supporting role in Synecdoche, New York to the list. As you mention, the category is typically weak and she has one of the film’s most emotional roles. Her part is small, but she dominates the last 20 minutes.
4 9-16-2008 at 7:56 am
Jamie said...
I would also add to John Foote’s comment that unlike Flags of our Fathers, Changeling has been seen by a wide array of press and has received consistently great reviews.
5 9-16-2008 at 8:11 am
Bing147 said...
I’d say Phillip Seymour Hoffman in Synechdoche, I know a number of people who have seen it who’ve told me that if the reviews are good, he’s in, no matter the competition. I’d also say Peter O’Toole in Dean Spanley, probably the only person I could see actually beating Ledger this year, as well as Christian McKay in Me and Orson Welles. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Rachel Weisz emerge in Brothers Bloom as a nominee. We’ll see.
6 9-16-2008 at 8:17 am
BJT said...
That’s a relly intereting list but with 4 from the supporting actor field, the field where there’s pretty much one nomination guranteed, I think this could end up being a fight to the finish between these chaps and the many others already big on the radar.
7 9-16-2008 at 8:22 am
Bobby said...
I’d add the couple from Lovely, Still of Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn. The academy seems to love nominating actors near the end of their career lately such as Ruby Dee, Hal Holbrook, Peter O’toole.
8 9-16-2008 at 8:50 am
Aaron said...
I agree with every single person mentioned in the article.
I would go ahead and include Charlize Theron for “The Road”. Albeit it’s a really small part, if played right, it could be a real gut-punch. In the book, the scene she is in is an emotional powerhouse. And she’s a really great actress. And although the film received mixed reviews, she will be getting notices for Burning Plain.
I also think Rosemarie DeWitt can gain some steam from the inevitable hype surrounding Anne Hathaway. She is supposed to be fantastic as Hathaway’s sister.
And one person I’m curious hasn’t been mentioned much anymore, although she was considered a serious contender at the beginning of the year, is Amy Adams for Doubt. I know that Viola Davis has a more powerful, if smaller, part than Adams. But Amy looks really, really good in the trailer. She seems to be holding her own against Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. She’s also coming off a year where she was ignored for her critically-acclaimed performance in Enchaned. She seems to also be very-well liked in the industry. I wouldn’t count her out yet, particularly if the movie is a big success critically.
9 9-16-2008 at 9:14 am
Silencio said...
I second the Amy Adams comment. Doubt could really knock it out of the park.
10 9-16-2008 at 9:28 am
John Foote said...
Jamie…read closer, you miss my point — Flags of Our Fathers was heavily touted as an Oscar contender by al the major trades and sites, site unseen of course, when it opened, a fine film it was, but it faltered allowing for Letters to come in and do well — yes Changeling has been seen by many critics, and for the most part it is being admired, but not, I REPEAT NOT by everyone which certainly does not mean Oscars for it just yet. Until it opens, until the reviuews come in, until the nominations are formally announced nothing matters.
11 9-16-2008 at 9:30 am
Alfredo said...
What about John Malkovich in Changeling?
12 9-16-2008 at 9:36 am
Paul said...
I think your analysis of the potential for Elizabeth Banks as “Laura Bush” for a best supporting actress nom is insightful. As a character in the film and person in real life, “Laura Bush” is generally a very sympathetic, grounded, yet still mysterious person. I have a feeling this role may really shine through in what will be an otherwise combustible, frenetic film. And it will be a high profile, glamorous role (think Cate Blanchett as “Kathryn Hepburn” in Aviator) that the Academy often finds appealing. Plus, with all of Banks’ movies over the next several months, she is popping at the right time.
13 9-16-2008 at 9:36 am
Adrianna said...
I like your list, too, and the additions others have suggested, Theron, Landau, Burstyn, O’Toole.
I think the Eastwood suggestion is right on the money – this could be one of the best roles he’s ever had. Remembering that supporting players in his movies also get treated like human beings with enough screen time, we might have a surprise supporting nomination from Gran Torino.
Other surprise supporting roles might come from “Australia”. If this epic works, more than one member of the cast will stand out. Hugh Jackman sounds to have one of the best roles of the year in this – and he’s a terrific actor, underestimated.
Viggo Mortensen is going to be in the year-end lists where they cite “Best Body of Work” for the year, so I think he’ll keep being in people’s minds. And since his three (!) roles are varied, he makes a good case for himself.
Also under the radar (granted, IF it gets released) is “Skin” with Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, & Alice Krige. This movie sounds like it would set off endless discussion, and this cast is top-notch. Neill has been excellent for many years, without much attention.
14 9-16-2008 at 10:11 am
The InSneider said...
Ben Kingsley. The Wackness. Deserving of a nomination. Don’t forget Bill Irwin in Rachel Getting Married.
15 9-16-2008 at 10:27 am
loveman113 said...
i am totally excited that you put James Franco for Milk at #3. He should totally get a nomination since he has done astounding work ever since playing James Dean. I predict a couple critics awards naming him Best Supporting Actor for Milk and Pineapple Express and possibly Nights in Rodanthe.
16 9-16-2008 at 11:00 am
BJT said...
I’d also like to suggest Rachel McAdams for The Time Traveler’s Wife.
On paper the part of the wife left behind whilst her husband travels involuntarily through time seems quite baity. When you factor in adaptation of a New York Times bestseller and a liked but yet to be nominated actress then I think this could have the markers for a nom.
However so far there’s nothing but a few photographs. No sign of a release date or that New Line are teking it seriously – although God knows they have nothing else likely to make an impact this year.
17 9-16-2008 at 11:30 am
Roger said...
As Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei, maybe Evan Rachel Wood could be somehow a suprise in the supporting category… I know her part is smaller than Tomei’s, but still…hollywood love young actresses… Also agree with Theron and I also won’t be surprised if Rachel Weisz suddenly get nominated…
18 9-16-2008 at 11:39 am
matt said...
agreed on michael shannon. the best parts of the book are when his character is around. it is one of those roles that is so juicy that any actor that gets his hands on it has a lot of scenery to chew. in my mind, he is the only one capable of taking heath’s trophy..
19 9-16-2008 at 12:05 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
They’re pushing Weisz as a lead, and with the stiff competition, I’m less inclined to think she’ll get in Roger. In supporting, she’d have had a clearer shot.
20 9-16-2008 at 12:28 pm
Steven said...
I agree with BJT. For some time I’ve had Rachel McAdams in my top 5 for The Time Traveler’s Wife. I only have removed her from my list because of the potential for the film to be pushed back to 2009. Still, I have read the novel, and I think she can absolutely nail this role. She will be nominated someday.
21 9-16-2008 at 1:06 pm
Roger said...
If, in fact, they push Weisz as a Lead, then she’ll definitely be out… Way to strong year for Lead Actresses. But then again…who know’s what the Academy thinks?! It’s to soon to tell…
22 9-16-2008 at 1:59 pm
David said...
again I wonder if he is eligible, but Andrew Garfield in BOY A will definitely get some Independent Spirit Award interest if the BBC origins of the film take him out of Oscar contention… it is indeed the longest of shots. And what about the boy in THE ROAD?
23 9-16-2008 at 2:12 pm
Rose said...
Kristopher: Bless you for including Richard Jenkins, a truly marvellous performance. I would love to see him get nominated.
24 9-16-2008 at 2:22 pm
JAB said...
this is an excellent list, I’ve had Liev Schrieber on my list for Supporting actor since i can remember. I’m particularly interested in Brothers, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal are two of my personal favorite actors, and if Tobey Maguire shows up well, maybe that will make up for Spider-Man 3…and 2. I’d also love to see Rachel McAdams nominated for Time Travellers Wife, or The Lucky Ones, which speaking of which- why is there no buzz for that film? McAdams, Pena, and Robbins all together? did it flop at prescreenings? I feel like i missed something.
25 9-16-2008 at 2:23 pm
Leone said...
An insightful and exciting list – can’t wait to see these performances!
26 9-16-2008 at 3:24 pm
Guy Lodge said...
David: Yeah, sadly, I don’t think Garfield will be eligible for the Oscars. (Was the film theatrically released in the US?) Great performance, though.
27 9-16-2008 at 3:42 pm
Jonathan Spuij said...
Anyone from The Dark Knight except Ledger. Kingsley for Elegy? I know, it’s a long shot. But still.
28 9-16-2008 at 5:08 pm
BurmaShave said...
BOY A played here in D.C., I thought it was pretty good, I was more impressed with Peter Mullan. What’s the deal, it played on Tv in Britain?
29 9-16-2008 at 5:14 pm
Steven said...
“..yes Changeling has been seen by many critics, and for the most part it is being admired, but not, I REPEAT NOT by everyone which certainly does not mean Oscars for it just yet.”
John, there’s no such thing as an Oscar film universally admired by everyone. You can always find dissenters no matter what the film. What’s significant here are not the hostile reviews from young bloggers but the excellent, if not rave reviews it received from the likes of Todd McCarthy in Variety. That puts it in a very strong position since the wider critical consensus will almost certainly line up with Variety on this. As for popular opinion I think the trailer has done a good job of selling the movie already.
And Flags of Our Fathers was in part the victim of a blogger backlash against Paul Haggis. Not saying Flags was a perfect film but there was a sharp divide between the generally strong press reviews & the reaction in the blogosphere. That movie undeniably became the whipping boy for a LOT of anti-Haggis venom out there & it suffered accordingly.
30 9-16-2008 at 5:27 pm
Guy Lodge said...
BurmaShave: Yeah, it premiered on BBC TV here last year, and won a bunch of television BAFTAs (including, I think, Best Actor for Garfield).
Steven: It’s by no means certain that the wider critical fraternity will line up with Variety on “Changeling.” NYT’s Manohla Dargis printed a negative review back in May, while a number of prominent UK critics were underwhelmed.
Of course it’s quite likely the film will get largely positive reviews on its release. But it’s not a slam dunk.
31 9-16-2008 at 5:35 pm
John Foote said...
Steve — I agree whole heartedly with you about Flags of Our Fathers, it was indeed a Haggis backlash — however, Variety does not an Oscar make — the New York Times was not crazy about Changelingand though I am a huge Eastwood fan, as you know, he has not yet been nominated for it — yep he’s in a great position, so was Michael Douglas after winning the LA Critics Awards for best actor who was then promptly snubbed for an Oscar.
32 9-16-2008 at 7:32 pm
Steven said...
“..however, Variety does not an Oscar make ..”
You’re putting words in my mouth there, John. I never said it would, just likely that the wider critical consensus would reflect Variety’s since that is normally the case. The UK critics who attacked Changeling have not only been routinely dismissive of Eastwood in the past but have no influence on the Oscar derby so, harsh though it may be to say it, their opinions don’t matter. I take the point about the Dargis review although her rationale was interesting (a less polite person than I might say ‘eccentric’) in that the basis of her criticism was that she couldn’t separate Jolie’s tabloid image from the character she played therefore the movie failed in her eyes. Fair enough, but I’m not convinced other people are going to have that problem!
As for the Top 10 performances I do think Eastwood is a serious contender for Best Actor. It’s the one award he doesn’t have, it’s a great role for him, & WB are positioning the film with a major awards push for Eastwood in mind. Of all the Oscar speculation I think a Best Actor nom (maybe even a win) for Eastwood is the most likely (& maybe complemented by a best Actress win for Angelina Jolie & wouldn’t that be something?
Also consider this; if Eastwood wins he will be the only director ever in the history of the Academy Awards to have also won Best Actor.)
33 9-16-2008 at 7:36 pm
The Z said...
Roberto Benigni (1998) and Laurence Olivier (1948) both won Best Actor in films they directed, so Eastwood would not be the first person to do so.
34 9-16-2008 at 7:43 pm
Steven said...
Z, neither of those actually won both, that’s the point I was making. :-)
35 9-16-2008 at 7:47 pm
Mr. 9 said...
You should have been more specific, Steven.I was thinking the same thing that The Z was.
36 9-17-2008 at 12:11 am
Ryan said...
I really think that Sarah Jessica parker should be nominated for Sex and the City. I’m not a SATC fanatic but I found her performance to be very emotionally charged, the driving force of the movie and I point to two very moving scenes — the street scene and the valentines day scene as two Oscar worthy scenes — the scenes that wins oscars. It’s unfortunate that because parker is in a movie that is maybe too commercial or too lightweight — is not getting more attention. This performance is not lightweight, but a full well rounded oscar worthy performance. I hope that Parker, Heath Ledger and the dark knight all get oscar nominations.
37 9-17-2008 at 2:59 am
Guy Lodge said...
Some fair points, Steven — though I don’t think the UK press is wholly irrelevant, particularly given the increasing influentiality of the BAFTAs in awards season.
It’s completely untrue, however, that UK critics are dismissive of Eastwood. This last month saw a complete Eastwood retrospective take place at the National Film Theatre, accompanied by numerous gushing profiles of his directorial achievements in the UK broadsheets. And Sight & Sound evidently subscribes to the “greatest American director” theory.
38 9-17-2008 at 7:56 am
Ivan said...
Demian Bichir in “Che”
39 9-17-2008 at 7:56 am
Ivan said...
Jamie Bell / Defiance
40 9-17-2008 at 2:18 pm
entertainmenttoday... said...
I’d LOVE to see Clint get an Oscar for best actor!
This might be one great Oscar telecast this year if Michelle Williams and the late Heath Ledger get nominations and actually win. Not to mention Mickey Rourke in the years best comeback for The Wrestler!
41 9-17-2008 at 6:19 pm
Glenn said...
If “Flags of the Other” was so well loved by Critics why did it win a grand total of zero critics awards from a grand total of zero nominations.
I think it was less a case of blogger backlash against Haggis, and more of a critic lovefest for Eastwood even when the film didn’t deserve it. And didn’t it all look foolish when “Letters from Iwo Jima” came around and it was actually good and they all started claiming it was better than “Flags of our Fathers” when they had gone about claiming “Flags” was brilliant. Critics are forgetful.
42 9-17-2008 at 7:32 pm
Adam G. said...
Aaron Eckhard. The Dark Knight. Acting Nomination. Need I say more? You saw the movie- you be the judge.
Also, I know it’s an outside shot, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Tom Cruise make his fourth trip to the nominee’s list- if Mark Wahlberg can be nominated for The Departed, there’s no telling what might happen. I love the brave new world we live in.
43 9-17-2008 at 7:59 pm
Steven said...
“It’s completely untrue, however, that UK critics are dismissive of Eastwood. ”
I agree but I didn’t actually say they were, I said those critics who gave negative reviews to Changeling were. I’m well aware that Eastwood has major & long standing supporters stretching back to the 1970’s, such as Derek Malcolm & Sean French, amongst British critics prepared to take him seriously when fashionable opinion decreed otherwise.
And I must gently disagree with your opinion on the BAFTA’s. They have zero influence on the Oscars. BAFTA likes to pretend it does, the UK press likes to play along with that, but the truth is it doesn’t. I’m not aware of a single Academy voter whose opinion was in any way changed or persuaded by what BAFTA decided to award (in fact don’t the BAFTA’s come after the final Oscar nomination date?).
BAFTA is best at doing what it was set up to do, which is promote British talent.
44 9-18-2008 at 1:41 am
Guy Lodge said...
“BAFTA is best at doing what it was set up to do, which is promote British talent.”
They’re pretty lousy at that, too, given that the two best British films of last year — Control and This Is England — won a grand total of one award between them.
I don’t like the BAFTAs. But I think they’re getting people to pay a lot more attention to them. Whether by accident or design, they’ve managed to anticipate a few recent last-minute swings in momentum ahead of the Oscars.
45 10-08-2008 at 12:23 pm
Dean Treadway said...
A fine list! Brava to including Jenkins, Eastwood, Tomei and Williams. I would not be surprised to see them on the final lists.
The seven possibile Oscar nominees I’ve not seen vetted anywhere that I think should be talked about more:
Best Actor, Greg Kinnear in FLASH OF GENIUS (hey, he’s already been nominated once, and it looks like a pretty challenging role for him).
Best Supporting Actress, Debra Winger in RACHEL GOT MARRIED. Absolutely no one has mentioned her, perhaps because a lot of you are too young to know who she is (and I’m not trying to be condescending here). But she has been conspicuously absent from the screen for over 15 years and this could be a big comeback for her as Anne Hathaway’s nervous mother.
Best Supporting Actress for either Catherine Keener or Samantha Morton in SYNECDOCHE NY. I find it curious that few prognosticators find this to be a movie to watch. Charlie Kaufman’s films have all been nominated for screenplay Oscars, and two of them garnered multiple noms besides that (including three acting noms for ADAPATION and one win). There’s all this talk about BENJAMIN BUTTON being the most original movie of the year, but that’s based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I’d say SYNECDOCHE, NY has more of a claim to that title, and looks a great deal more challenging (BUTTON looks to me like warmed-over FORREST GUMP the more I see the preview; besides, any preview would look good with that Ennio Morricone music from DAYS OF HEAVEN behind it). Having thrown that 2 cents, seems entirely likely that, given its immense cast of supporting actresses (including Michelle Williams, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Hope Davis, almost all of whom have either won or been nominated before), at least one if not two of them will make it into the race. I’m going with Keener and Morton.
Best Actress, Cantinca Utaru for THE FALL. Absolutely one of the most spellbinding performances of the year. Completely charming and believable, and a challenging role for such a young actress. If I had my way, she’d be in there for sure, along with…
Best Supporting Actor, Lee Pace for THE FALL. He, too, was magnificent, and her soulmate in the film. Each of their scenes together constituted film acting at its most dedicated.
One more:
Best Supporting Actor, Eddie Marsan for HAPPY-GO-LUCKY. His polar opposite performance to Sally Hawkin’s cheery lead character appears to be filled with darkly humorous bile. I would not count out any actor in a Mike Leigh film–not since SECRETS AND LIES and VERA DRAKE made nominees out of Brenda Blethyn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Imelda Staunton.
46 10-08-2008 at 3:30 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Dean, plenty of people have been talking about Debra Winger — though I don’t personally think her performance is deserving.
And when you suggest that some of us younger folk don’t know who she is, that is unavoidably condescending — for the record, I’m 24 and my favourite Winger performance is in “A Dangerous Woman.”
And we’ve been banging the drum for Eddie Marsan for months on the site, so rest assured you’re not alone there! Fingers crossed.
47 10-08-2008 at 3:34 pm
Guy Lodge said...
By the way, Winger hasn’t been absent for 15 years — I’m sure we all wish “Radio” had never happened, but sadly it did :(
48 10-08-2008 at 5:05 pm
Eunice said...
Yes to Aaron and Silencio’s Amy Adams comment. She’s practically in the middle of everything, so why are people looking at Viola Davis? (Question’s rhetorical.)
Also, I hope Liev Schreiber gets in. Man, what does he have to do to get noticed? I love the guy and his acting. He’s such a subtle, fly under the radar kind of actor that you sometimes forget his intensity and propensity for creating really demented and self-loathing characters.
“One can never count Jews kicking Nazi ass out of any Oscar debate, despite the quality of the finished product. ” –Oh yes, so true.
And based solely on the Changeling trailer, John Malkovich has to get in at some point.
49 10-08-2008 at 8:17 pm
Dean Treadway said...
Sorry for the assumption on Debra Winger. She was great in A DANGEROUS WOMAN, I agree.
Ghod, she was in RADIO? I wouldn’t come within ten feet of a DVD of that crap.