Performances That Should Have Won An Oscar — Page 4

Why has no one mentioned

Bette Midler in The Rose

Why?????

Her performance broke my heart in that film. She became the character and I felt very deeply for her.

I also loved whoever said Bette in For the Boys. That was another stunning performance by her.

"Again, I feel like most people think she deserved to win for BOYS DON'T CRY because of the role she plays rather than for her actual performance."

To me it is a movie that has not really aged well. In its defense, neither have several movies on the subject not aged well from Jame Gumb in Silence of the Lambs to RWF's In a Year of 13 Moons. I just think of Terence Stamp's character in Priscilla being way ahead of the curb while a movie Boys Don't Cry gives us such minimal characterization aside from troubled background and relying so heavily on being the character being an outsider when you see much more morally compromising get three-dimensional treatment constantly. It's such a miserable viewing experience to be had and I say that as somebody who has watched a Michael Haneke movie more than once. Swank does fine but she does fine in the movie's whole dark premise.

Updated On: 8/6/13 at 06:39 PM

"NO. MY THREAD, MY RULES."
-Broadway Guy

"Oh come now, Swank was extraordinary at Brandon Teena."

Yes, I am here to say that in my opinion, Swank's performance was more than extraordinary and that scene in the police precinct when she was being questioned after the two guys raped her, was probably the best acting I have ever seen on screen along with F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus, and Ellen Burstyn in Requiem.

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Jordan/BwayGuy rules notwithstanding, my understanding of the discussion is 'Oscar-worthy performances that were not recognized with Oscars'.

I find the symmetry of Anette Bening's losing twice to the same person "crazy" as in odd and unexpected and frustrating (for me--I imagine Anette might use other words) when her (AB's) performances were both "Oscar worthy".

I don't, personally, dispute the caliber of Swank's performances--she's a talented actor.

But Anette wuz robbed.

And Jane--I am SO with you on Burstyn in 'Requiem for a Dream'. That performance was absolutely incredible. Haunting.

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Jordan, speaking for myself, I would say she was robbed if Meryl Streep won.

I don't know if you saw Requiem, but when it was over, no one in the theater moved, or even breathed, it seems, for quite some time. The film is difficult to watch, but I think important.

Burstyn delivered a performance which haunts me to this day. I've watched the film each time it was aired on tv, and the effect was just as strong as the first time.

I get so carried away with this movie, I forget I was actually in one of the scenes as an extra.

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"Difficult to watch", indeed.

'Requiem for a Dream' and 'Sophie's Choice'--I was shattered by both films and have never watched either of them again.

Given that it's 30 years since 'Sophie's Choice', I've been considering re-visiting it, as an adult.

Maybe next week...

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Speaking of Laura Linney in You Can Count On Me, let's talk about that other Kenneth Lonnergan movie that was maligned for YEARS.

Anna Paquin and Jeannie Berlin in Margaret

But, but Jordan I love you! *Goes to the corner and cries to self*

Kimberly Elise in "Beloved"

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