I'd love to see Best Actress go to...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 2:02am

...Annette Bening. I just LOVED her in Being Julia. It looks like Swank's to lose at this point, but who knows?

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 10:33am

Bening really was amazing in that movie.

I loved "M$B", but the only slightly overrated element in that movie was Hilary Swank. Granted, she had some really nice moments, but her role is (arguably) the easiest one in the Best Actress category. Her character has pretty much no character flaws. She exuded good nature and athleticism, and that's about it. Gaining ten pounds of muscle does not an Oscar-worthy role make.

Uma Thurman, Julie Delpy, Scarlett Johansson, and Neve Campbell were all much stronger than her, and got zip.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 10:53am

You know, if Hilary wins I'd actually really be surprised because in this day and age were seeing a lot of "make-up" oscars(ex. Washington for Training Day, Zellweger for Cold Mountain) and more of the "well he/she already has an oscar and he/she doesn't" type of thinking(think of Adrian Brody's win in 2002, who was in the company of actors who had all won AT LEAST 1 oscar). So I wouldn't think that that would hold to her advantage. Still, I think it may be kinda cool for someone to do that.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:08am

I was a bigger fan of the Benning performance in AMERICAN BEAUTY, which many people found over-the-top. It was in perfect sync with the satiric tone of that film, and underappreciated because of that level of stylization. But AB was a more commanding vehicle for Benning, and was widely seen. If she wins for Julia, it'll be like Jessica Lange's 2nd one -- for that film NOBODY saw (the title escapes me! I'm sure someone will chime in... Blue something?)

I think the depth of Swank's performance is underappreciated because it's so unadorned, so un-actor-y. She doesn't pitch it for our sympathy, or uploife, or in any way 'comment' on the character as she plays her. There's none of that slumming to play a down and out type. You actually believe she'd take meat home, and live in those borderline slummy digs. And she so resists overplaying the father-daughter bond with Eastwood. What could've been sentimental is clean, simple, emotionally full. She also doesn't 'hide' behind the role, by adopting a "boxer" demeanor. I saw it twice, and was more impressed on a 2nd viewing.

But at least we have good women against good women -- Imelda's simple work is equally affecting.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:20am

I adored Annette in BEING JULIA, but I have to agree with Auggie. Hillary's work is simple, true and honest. Actually, at this point, I would hand an Oscar to Clint, Morgan and Hillary. Their collective work is startling. There is not a dishonest moment in the film. I am not sure that I have ever seen truer relationships on screen.

(For the record, I have not yet seen THE AVIATOR, VERA DRAKE, HOTEL RWANDA or CLOSER.)

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:21am

When I saw "M$B" a second time, I actually appreciated Freeman's performance more. true, he could play that role at the drop of a hat. He's still wonderful.

As for Swank, I just don't see it. She was... likable. Bening was breathtaking, as was Staunton. Truly wonderful work by both ladies. The Oscars are not about quality anymore. They're about whose "time" it is. At least, that's what I think. If Swank beats Bening a second time, I'll be very disappointed.

PS - I loved Bening in "American Beauty" as well.

DBillyP- Go see "Vera Drake"!!!!! Updated On: 2/14/05 at 11:21 AM

[SWTaffy]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:25am

Someone mentioned Neve Campbell, were you referring to "When will I be loved? I just saw this over the weekend and I'm surprised more people have seen this movie. She really impressed me.

Updated On: 2/14/05 at 11:25 AM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:25am

I think Winslet deserves it as much as any of the others. I'm getting a bit tired of a woman like Bening getting credit for playing someone her age. Yes, I understand how Hollywood works but, to me, Bening's too good an actress to have her work talked about in such a distracted way.

Winslet did the most with the fewest gimmicks, beyond her hair color. She's just straight up the best actress in the bunch this year.

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:27am

SWTaffy -

That was me. I didn't like the movie, but Campbell was truly amazing. Her finest role to date. As I said before, I doubt anyone could have played that role as well. Talk about creating a character... She was sexy, dangerous, carnal, and the complete opposite of Sidney Prescott.

It's a shame that she got NOTHING for this. Updated On: 2/14/05 at 11:27 AM

[DBillyP]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:28am

JohnP, I agree that Kate deserves recognition, but alas, I think it should have been for FINDING NEVERLAND. Another film with truth and honesty in the relationships...which reminds me, I did really like Johnny Depp too. Jamie Foxx was my least favorite performance of any of the nominees, male or female.

broadway86, I am working on seeing all four of those films I mentioned in the next two weeks.

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:30am

I had almost forgotten about Kate Winslet. Maybe it's me, but while I believe that she could play Sylvia Davies in her sleep, I felt her perf. as Clemintine was very fascinating. She made the character adorable, in spite of itself. Updated On: 2/14/05 at 11:30 AM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:36am

I didn't have much affection for anything involving 'Finding Neverland.' It was ok but very slight and I thought it was very emotionally manipulative.

Sure, Depp and Winslet were solid but, well, they're too good of actors not to be.

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 11:38am

JP - I totally agree.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 12:25pm

It's interesting, JohnP, that on your blog you list THE NOTEBOOK as one of your five favorite films of last year. I think many people would describe it in the same terms you used for NEVERLAND.

; )

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 12:41pm

I disagree that Swank's performance lacks ANYTHING. If Swank wins that Oscar, I will be very happy. I'll just be a titch happier if Bening wins. I will be thrilled for Imelda, Kate, or Maria winning, too--though I haven't seen Maria's film yet.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 12:49pm

That is the way I felt when Halle Berry won for MONSTER'S BALL. I would have been a "titch" happier if Nicole Kidman had won for MOULIN ROUGE.

jrb, I think you mean Catalina's film. Catalina Sandino Moreno plays Maria.

; )

The film is very good, and her performance is very moving. There was a great interview with her in yesterday's NY Times.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 12:58pm

DOH!!!!

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:01pm

I also clearly said in my journal that that was a list of my FAVORITE movies, not the 'best.'

Someone will always argue that any tearjerker is being manipulative but 'Finding Neverland' is a sugary and almost dishonest treatment of what wants to be a true story, 'The Notebook' is just a big, sappy piece of romantic fiction.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:04pm

I'm sorry--are we really mistaken in thinking that Finding Neverland was a biographic documentary?? That it mustn't be creative and imaginative because it's based on a true story?

Updated On: 2/14/05 at 01:04 PM

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:09pm

It doesn't have to be a direct biography but in its own case I thought it passed over reality for emotional syrup to its own detriment. Like I said, I just don't think the movie was especially good as a biopic or as a drama. It just wasn't good enough in any direction.

I said it then, I'll say it now, if not for everyone's new found interest in Johnny Depp, no one would be talking about this movie in regards to Oscars.

[laactress]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:14pm

Kate Winslet all the way!

But we all know that Hilary will win.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:35pm

I'm not so positive. I just can't see Benning loosing to Swank twice. I realize that the Oscars are SUPPOSED to be about acting, but I don't think a lot of the voters will be able to bring themselves to allow a repeat of the Boys Don't Cry/American Beauty matchup, with Swank taking it all home. I think a lot of them would LOVE to give it to Benning, not only for her performance, but in an emotional second-time-around triumph sort of thing.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:37pm

Oh but I will add that while I haven't seen Verda Drake yet(though I plan to...someday), I'd LOVE for Winslet to take it! What a great performance in a great flick! I think Jim Carrey deserved a nod as well, expecially over damn Leonardo Dicaprio who was in way over his head in that borefest The Aviator.

[Jamie Hat]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:43pm

...Kate Winslet. I love her. Always. In everything. She's the best. I love her. She rules.
But Swank's got it in the bag.

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/14/05 at 1:53pm

It's interesting that comparisons of "Finding Neverland" and "The Notebook" came up.

In the case of "Finding Neverland", I never found myself connecting to any character. It was cute, but it was also thoroughly average. Still, it has its fans.

"The Notebook" felt much more honest to me. It had a sweeping wave of emotion throughtout. Credit is largely due to the younger actors who played Noah and Allie, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. Their charm, youthfulness, and chemistry persuaded me to care about their relationship. And I did.

About Swank...

As someone said before me, I have trouble believing that the Academy will vote for Swank over Bening, again. Bening has had this one coming for a long time. While Swank may be the frontrunner (and may very will the award), I still have my doubts. Updated On: 2/14/05 at 01:53 PM