Although I do see what you mean when you point out that she seems very dramatic when it comes to Oscar interviews, acceptance speeches, roundtables etc., I think we should NEVER forget, that she probably never thought she could EVER come close to a Best Actress Oscar, and that explains why she is so…excited. A supporting Oscar ? Maybe, that happens every now and then (Mo’nique, Jennifer Hudson, Whoopi Goldberg), but a LEAD Oscar ? The Academy awarded only ONE African-American actress in that category…and she was a bombshell in her early thirties; a movie star, who had just starred in the first part of a succesful franchise (X-Men) AND had been announced as the new Bond-girl around that time, too, not to mention, she was fresh off her remarkably succesful HBO-biopic ‘Introducing Dorothy Dandridge’ that not only earned her the EMMY-SAG-GOLDEN GLOBE trio, but also helped her prove herself as a worthy leading lady perfectly capable of excelling an iconic role.
Then there is 46 years old Viola Davis, who though beautiful, was never considered a ‘Bond-girl-type-bombshell’ and until now, she had been NEVER considered a leading lady, either and DEFINITELY not a movie star. Before ‘The Help’, she had NEVER landed a lead in a feature, and even now, Aibileen is ‘only’ a co-lead, and a lot of people are even trying to downgrade her to supporting (well, based on narrative, screentime and the source material, she is DEFINITELY co-lead).
She had minor roles in (kind-of)good/great films (Out of Sight, Traffic, Far From Heaven, World Trade Center, Solaris, Disturbia, Doubt, State of Play, It’s Kind of a Funny Story), but she NEVER had a leading role, so it’s easy to see WHY a LEAD OSCAR seems to be so important to her. More often than not, she had to do TV (mostly guest stints) OR the ‘leading lady’s best friend’ and other ridiculous supporting turns in bad/mediocre films (Law Abiding Citizen, Nightss in Rodanthe, Knight and Day, Eat Pray Love)…and by this time, she was a Tony-Award winning Juilliard alumna…so even though, I would love it if she could just take it easy, I perfectly understand why she simply can NOT : she probably thinks that being up for a Best Actress Oscar as a top2 contender, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her…and though I REALLY hope it won’t be the case, unfortunately precedent/history backs up her fears.
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Noah / February 16, 2012
Oh please. Viola’s campaigning is no more ridiculous than Winslet’s in 08 and she didn’t get nearly as much scrutiny. Viola’s enjoying her moment. She happens to give wonderful emotional interviews and speeches. Is that her being desperate for an Oscar? No. Jesus.
People are desperate to spin her probable win to be about anything except her performance. It’s getting pathetic.
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Aaron / February 16, 2012
Oh my god, Viola Davis’s daughter is so incredibly adorable!!! That just made my day.
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Nik Grape / February 16, 2012
@phantom: Fair enough, everything you said is true. A little more composure certainly wouldn’t hurt but that’s my own personal pet peeve with people in general, not just Viola in this case. The fact that this is happening during Oscar campaign season just raises my eyebrow a bit. I could be just bitter that Meryl will most likely lose again, I dunno.
@Noah: you should learn from other Viola supporters like phantom there. I don’t remember Winslet bursting into tears in her interviews and talking about how much she’s sufferred? Could be wrong here. To me this doesn’t look like she’s ‘enjoying the moment’ looks more like ‘being uncontrolably overwhelmed’ by it. And you have no idea how desperate or not she is for an Oscar, so please, leave Jesus out of this :p.
Every Viola supporter will take every interview/speech she does with a spoon-full of sugar and the Puss-in-Boots look. I get that. But I said nothing about her performance, which is Oscar-worthy by the way. It just sucks it comes in the same year of a performance that is way more Oscar-worthy in my humble opinion.
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Noah / February 16, 2012
I was comparing what you called Davis’s “transparency” to Winslet’s transparency (“I fucking want an Oscar”) which no one seemed to have as big a problem with. Davis is perfectly within reason to answer questions about her life and upbringing. I find it needlessly cynical and speculative to see that as begging for an Oscar.
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Deena Jones' wig / February 16, 2012
I love Viola Davis. That is all.
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Deena Jones' wig / February 16, 2012
“I was comparing what you called Davis’s “transparency” to Winslet’s transparency (“I fucking want an Oscar”) which no one seemed to have as big a problem with”
Now you know that is a LIE, an enormous, colossal LIE. Winslet was literally raked through the coals that year, I vividly remember. Everyone and their mother complained about her campaign strategy. It even got worse after her dramatic Golden Globe speech. I honestly don’t want to get into this campaign “transparency” argument but to say Winslet did not get shit that year for the way she campaigned is an ABSOLUTE LIE.
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Zach (The Original) / February 16, 2012
Saw the entire interviews today and they were great. Oprah is in love with Viola, and why shouldn’t she be. I do agree that at times Viola gets too dramatic for an Oscar campaign, as if she’s taking it upon herself to carry the mantle of the female Sidney Poitier/Denzel Washington, which can wear out those of us who are less invested in the Oscar race than Davis herself is.
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Bob Burns / February 16, 2012
Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
“Meryl always loses to the actress with “momentum””
Well, the good news that at this very moment, Meryl Streep seems to have the momentum after winning only her second (travesty) BAFTA and first Drama Golden Globe in almost 30 years…then there is the infamous Weinstein-push, a factor nobody should underestimate, and who knows…Streep might just win. In recent cases, it was usually rather obvious on Oscar-night who will win instead of her, precursors backed up those contenders (Bullock, Mirren, Winslet, Zeta-Jones etc.), but NOW with the Drama GG/BAFTA combination, precursor-wise she is closer to an Oscar-victory than she had ever been since Sophie’s Choice…in the last 10 years, the 3 actresses who pulled off the Oscar without a Lead SAG, ALL had the GG/BAFTA combo. But to be honest, I REALLY don’t think the ‘August : Osage County’ announcement helped…voters who loved her performance, but hated the film, now have the convenient option to think ‘hey, why not wait for this great Meryl-turn in a potentially great film’ ?
We’ll see, but for what it’s worth, the race is most certainly NOT over, usually we have frontrunners in the acting categories…not this year. We have two damn strong contenders and we will only know which one wins when Colin Firth opens that damn envelope. At this point, I could be only shocked by a tie OR a ‘lucky third’ scenario…clearly both are ‘No Guts, No Glory’ material.
I know you meant she won’t win the Oscar, but taking everything into account, I think Rooney Mara is actually the biggest winner of the category…pulled off the nomination without SAG, BFCA, BAFTA nominations and any significant critics awards, for a genre performance that is also her first lead role, a role that was originated by a great actress to critical acclaim only a year ago, and all that at the age of 26. We all knew the other 4 are excellent actresses, Mara was the only one who had to prove herself…and she did just that.
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Deena Jones' wig / February 16, 2012
“But to be honest, I REALLY don’t think the ‘August : Osage County’ announcement helped…voters who loved her performance, but hated the film, now have the convenient option to think ‘hey, why not wait for this great Meryl-turn in a potentially great film’ ?”
I have to agree with you phantom. I did not want to comment on this issue because of my disappointment. This might be Harvey’s biggest blunder yet. I strongly believe so.
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bene / February 16, 2012
Viola Davis was amazing in The Help and would be a worthy winner, but grrrrr I CAN’T WATCH THOSE VIDEOS OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.!!!!
WHY do they only make it accessible for youtube watchers in the U.S.?!?
Aibileen is not a supporting part in the book, and it is not a supporting part in the film. The film’s narrative especially backs up the co-lead status, not to mention her character is the link between the other two co-leads. The film doesn’t revolve all around her, sure…but that doesn’t make her a supporting player.
If she`s lead or supporting is a matter of opinion. For me, she has the same importance and screen time that Melanie Laurent had in Inglorious Basterds. The problem is that those 2 films are a work of cast and the role which is lead is not showy (Brad Pitt and Emma Stone). Melanie Laurent, who by the way gave a much more challenging performance than Davis, went lead and was not nominated. Harvey is not perfect all the time. She should have been supporting and had much better scenes than Diane Kruger.
Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
Agreed.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
People are desperate to spin her probable win to be about anything except her performance. It’s getting pathetic.
Not “people,” whiny, annoying Streep fans only.
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JP / February 16, 2012
Sasha,
but the problem of The Iron Lady is not the script and the director? Or is it Meryl? Viola would not characterize as Maggie Tatcher? Would not put the wiig that you loved so much?
– Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
– Agreed.
Seconded.
Think Orson Welles’ 1936 Macbeth with an all-black cast.
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Aaron / February 16, 2012
“Oh please. Viola’s campaigning is no more ridiculous than Winslet’s in 08 and she didn’t get nearly as much scrutiny.”
I agree with Deena. I call bull on that. Winslet was heavily criticized that year, particularly after her double Golden Globe wins. I remember the British press crucified her for her manic, melodramatic speeches and many thought she was embarrassingly begging for it. Obviously, it didn’t hurt her because Winslet was “due” in the sense that she was on her sixth nomination and had many “best actress of her generation” sentiments going on–not to mention HARVEY WEINSTEIN was behind her campaign.
Viola Davis is not my personal preference for best actress,[blah blah blah].[Blah blah blah] [there is no one campaigning harder and longer than Meryl Streep -- so kindly stop.]
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Joey / February 16, 2012
Holy shit, Ryan! That’s an awesome idea. Fast track that. NOW!
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Diego / February 16, 2012
My main frustration with this process every year is that 90+% of the discussions cover everything BUT the performances. I couldn’t care less if Viola cries for a week, or if she says things that should or should not resonate with potential Oscar voters. Ditto for Meryl, Michelle, Rooney, or Glenn (or Tilda and Charlize, for that matter). If her performance is the best, people should vote for it. If not, they shouldn’t. End of story.
But we end up with issues like an actor not being “likable” enough (see Russell Crowe), not having “suffered enough” (Meryl and Angelina), being “due” (Glenn and Viola), or other completely irrelevant things. Even on here, most of the comments have little or nothing to do with who gave the best performance. What will make “impact”, “give hope”, or “right past wrongs” seem to resonate more than strong acting. Oh well, I guess I can take solace in the fact that some people who vote for “acting” awards care only minimally about acting, and care much more about “important social matters”.
LOL, I just rewatched the THR Actress Roundtable and thought, Viola Davis would definitely deserve her dream role ‘Lady Macbeth’, either with an all-black cast OR envisioned as a one-(wo)man film titled ‘Lady Macbeth’ that would tell the story strictly from her point of view, and she would be the ONLY character in the film…she would knock it out of the park.
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GoOnNow / February 16, 2012
@ Aaron, good point about both Winslet and Davis.
I always try to separate my opinion about the Actor as a person, his/her interviews and public presence from his/her work, yet in Winslet’s case I was truly disappointed and right now Viola’s not winning any points either.
A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION: when shall we start guessing about next year’s Best Actress nominees? I can’t wait
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JP / February 16, 2012
@ GoOnNow
From the most promising… Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina), Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby), Laura Linney (the film with the Roosevelts, forgot the name), Meryl again (Great Hope Springs) and depending on lead or supporting…. Sally Field for Lincoln.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
You have to campaign to win, people, did you all fall of the back of a truck?
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Aaron / February 16, 2012
I’m not trying to be argumentative, but why was the rest of my post deleted? I was simply talking about the irrelevancy of personal narrative/history in the Oscar race and I even mentioned Michelle Williams doing the same as Viola Davis. And how in the world was my comments about the classiness of non-campaigners about Tilda Swinton and Mo’Nique offensive? I’m really failing to see how what I wrote can be misconstrued. The only reply I get in place of what I wrote is some weird comment from the moderators about how Meryl Streep is the one campaigning hard, who I didn’t even MENTION in my post. Can you explain? I really don’t mean to be contrary or troublesome, I’m just legitimately confused on how my post was offensive or unworthy in some way.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
Your post was deleted, Aaron, because it is going on the supposition that there is something wrong with this type of interview, or that Davis is somehow acting outside the realm of what any contender does during Oscar season.
If one of you reads this, I had an idea for a piece, it could be a follow-up to 2011 – Sophie’s Choice ?, which was supposed to be a fluff piece to distract people from the Portman-Bening battle last year, it focused on next year (I mean 2011), and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats, some distraction might be a good idea now, too. If it doesn’t sound terrible, it could be a yearly thing, this time the title could be 2012 – The War of the English Roses ? and it could be about Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina) and Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby) who might have career-defining roles on their hands in 2012. It is always fun to look back at ridiculously early, completely hunch-based predictions : last time it turned out to be 3/5 + a tiny mention of Viola Davis + complete lack of faith and no mention of Rooney Mara who proved me wrong and now (after seeing her film three times) made me consider her turn as probably THE best of 2011.
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GoOnNow / February 16, 2012
OK, I couldn’t help myself LOL
Actress & Supporting Actress
1. Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina
2. Emily Watson, Anna Karenina
3. Sally Field, Lincoln
4. Maggie Smith, Quartet
5. Diane Keaton, Darling Companion
6. Carey Mulligan, The Great Gatsby/ Inside Llewyn Davis
7. Vanessa Redgrave, A Song For Marion
8. Meryl Streep, Great Hope Springs
9. Helen Mirren, The Door
10. Helena Bonham Carter, The Great Expectations
11. Annette Bening, Imogene
12. Kristen Wiig, Imogene
13. Emma Stone, The Gangster Squad
14. Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy/ Stoker
15. Amy Adams, The Master
16. Laura Dern, The Master
17. Marion Cotillard, Lowlife
18. Julianne Moore, What Maisie Knew
19. Laura Linney, Hyde Park On Hudson
20. Olivia Williams, Hyde Park On Hudson
21. Olivia Colman, Hyde Park On Hudson
22. Abbie Cornish, The Girl
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JP / February 16, 2012
If Laura Linney is great (as usual) in the roosevelts film, I`m really gonna support her win. She and Glenn Close (who I didn`t like in Albert Nobbs) are, for me, the two best working actress without an Oscar.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats,
The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.
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Aaron / February 16, 2012
@ Sasha,
I respect your opinion, but I never once said Viola Davis was wrong for doing these videos. I even mentioned that I found her discussions “eye opening” and “touching” but I simply stated that her performance can stand alone on merit without the plethora of these various tv interviews that have nothing really to do with her film and/or her performance (and I said the same thing about Williams and her million tv interviews over the past few weeks). It’s a problem I have EVERY Oscar season with stars virtually pleading for an Oscar (Bullock, Winslet, Swank, just a few that come to mind). Frankly, I think you just didn’t like what I had to say and just deleted it. I really enjoy reading your site and I think you have wonderful insights on film history and the Oscar season, but with all due respect, it seems you are a bit touchy on anything related to Viola Davis that you just slightly disagree on.
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JP / February 16, 2012
“The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.“
Sasha… we, the social network fans, were at everyone else`s throat last year…
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Diego / February 16, 2012
I am a “Streep fan”, and feel her performance this year was best. That said, there were other quality performances (including Tilda and Charlize in addition to the Oscar nominees). If someone else wins, I will be the first to congratulate her.
I would also add Helen Mirren (The Door), Kerry Washington (Django Unchained), Nicole Kidman (My Wild Life), Sandra Bullock (Gravity), Rachel McAdams (Untitled Terrence Malick Project), Noomi Rapace (Prometheus), Kristen Wiig (Imogene), Dakota Fanning (Effie or Now is Good), Naomi Watts (The Impossible /The Grandmothers), Amanda Seyfried (Lovelace / Les Miserables), Diane Keaton (Darling Companion / The Big Wedding), Mia Wasikowska (Stoker), Viola Davis (Won’t Back Down), Jennifer Garner (Butter / The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Helen Hunt (The Surrogate), Saoirse Ronan (Byzantium), Holliday Grainger (Great Expectations), Gwyneth Paltrow (Thanks for Sharing), Amy Adams (Trouble with the Curve / The Master), Jessica Chastain (Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Project), Ellen Page (The East), Judi Dench (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Julianne Moore (What Maisie Knew / The English Teacher), Elizabeth Olsen / Glenn Close (Theresa Raquin), Reese Witherspoon (Mud).
I REALLY hope Laura Linney (Hyde Park on Hudson) will be a strong player, I am also rooting for the second nominations of Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan, but above all, I just hope Sally Field won’t win a third Oscar…and simply because her studio is probably aware that the Academy might not want to give her a third Best Actress Oscar, they will probably campaign her in supporting, where she might have a considerably better shot. Meanwhile IF narrative backs her up, Helena Bonham Carter (Great Expectations) seems like the most likely supporting contender who could be upgraded to lead…after all, Miss Havisham is a legendary part, and the studio might put newcomer Grainger in the supporting race, claiming she shares the part of Estella with her young version , so she doesn’t have enough screentime to qualify for lead.
“and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats,
The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.”
Fair enough.
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NIk Grape / February 16, 2012
“Frankly, I think you just didn’t like what I had to say and just deleted it. I really enjoy reading your site and I think you have wonderful insights on film history and the Oscar season, but with all due respect, it seems you are a bit touchy on anything related to Viola Davis that you just slightly disagree on.”
Sounds like it yes, and I concur with the love for the site and the articles. My post was deleted too (which started off saying how I actually am not a viola davis hater and love her talent..) and replaced by “Viola Davis is the best actress”. phantom’s response to my initial post now sounds like (s)he’s talking to a wall…and this after me praising this website and Sasha’s other article on Tree of Life/Hugo and saying I’m going to be a life long fan…I thought we were free to place our opinions which can sometimes be criticism? I didn’t offend anyone, didn’t insult Davis (a small jab at Oprah but I doubt it was this that broke the camel’s back) .
But hey, it’s their site and they can do what they want I guess.
What’s a shame is that because of a couple of loons any fan of Streep now is going to be branded a maniac out for blood, while people like Noah who are defending Viola and calling others pathetic have their posts intact.
Anyway, good luck to all five women nominated for Lead Actress.
Can we have an interview with Williams/Mara/Close up to mix it up a bit maybe?
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GoOnNow / February 16, 2012
@ phantom
Nicole Kidman in “My Wild Life” ? Where is this, I really can’t find it.
I really don’t see acting noms in the “Prometheus” project, I could be wrong.
the Kathryn Bigelow project is yet to start filming and it’s already mid February. Same goes for “Therese Raquin”.
Btw, The Weinsteins are behind “A Song for Marion” aren’t they? This could mean strong support for Redgrave. Gemma Arterton even.
If I have to be honest, I want to see Maggie Smith with an Oscar nomination again.
2012 will be a big names year, just as 2011 (Streep, Close, Williams), so I don’t see a lot of room for young guns/less known names, that excludes established actors such as Keira Knightley & Carey Mulligan, of course.
yep, “Les Misérables” is filming and it has Tom Hooper, I somehow skipped that LOL
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JP / February 16, 2012
phantom
If they like The Master and since she has showy scenes, Amy Adams has Best Supporting Actress in the bag. Just like many had Christian Bale as the frontrunner all year long… I think the same will happen to Amy Adams. I personally think she was better than Melissa Leo in The Fighter. The best for me last year was Hailee Steinfeld, but she was lead (as I always says, it`s tough to discuss category placement…).
For me, Laura Linney is the actress that most reminds me of the Meryl Streep “chameleon“style. She can play a mean rich woman in a light comedy and a frustrated one in a drama (another thing bizarre is comedy/drama placement… The Savages was considered a comedy).
I like Sally Field but she definitely doesn`t deserve a third Oscar. And I also think they will campaign her as supporting. Field and Strathairn will likely be Lincoln`s supporting bets.
From the british ladies, the two are great although in terms of british with this age, I prefer Emily Blunt over Mulligan and Knightley. And despite I think Mulligan is a great actress, I really find nothing special about her in An Education. She was fine but great or fantastic. I actually didn`t like this film. For me, it was lots of old cliches together and despite fine performances from Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams, I hated Peter Saarsgard`s performance.
‘My Wild Life’ was announced in November, it is a drama centered on animal conservationist/elephant advocate Dame Daphne Sheldrick (sounds rather Academy-friendly). Production is scheduled for first quarter 2012 on location in Africa, and probably Universal will distribute it domestically with a date sometime around the 2012 holidays.
It’s strange that IMDB hasn’t listed it yet…and considering no further castings have been announced so far, I think they can kiss that ‘first-quarter-filming date’ goodbye, too. Well…we’ll see!
Nik Grape
He.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
Dear Nic and everyone else – yes, this isn’t supposed to have every thread turned into an obnoxious consensus discussion about how Meryl Streep deserves it but Davis will win because she’s black. Just not going to have those kinds of comments on my site. Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
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Deena Jones' wig / February 16, 2012
“Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.”
I hope you apply the same rule to Meryl Streep too, you know, for fairness’ sake.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
Nobody is bashing Streep.
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NIk Grape / February 16, 2012
But did my post say anything about her winning because she’s black? Did i bash her? Now I’m confused. Anyways, I’m sure you have a good reason for being a little sensitive on this whole Davis-Streep fiasco, God knows how many posts you saw that you had to remove/re-edit which were just full of obnoxious bashing. I can’t blame you and I don’t.
The fact that you kept the post where I respectfully say whom I believe to be the better of the two, but conceding that both deserve it, shows me that you’re not deleting every post pro-Meryl post willy nilly, and that’s alright in my books
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Nik Grape / February 16, 2012
Stupid “i” was always caps-locked when I’m home .. I’m not that self-conscious guys, justsayin’
I preferred Amy Adams in ‘The Fighter’, too and I was convinced she will pull off a surprise win, simply for being there for the third time, but clearly I was wrong. THEN I thought, ok, NEXT TIME will be definitely her time…BUT looking at this year’s potential contenders, I think she will face some SERIOUS competition :
1. Helena Bonham Carter (Great Expectations) – legendary role + she is in Les Miserables and Dark Shadows, too
2. Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) – baity AND grateful part + she could pull a ‘Joker’ on us, too
3. OTHER ‘Les Miserables-gals’ – Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks
4. Sally Field (Lincoln) – the Academy loves her, REALLY loves her
5. Annette Bening (Imogene) – she plays Wiig’s gambling-addict mother
6. Emma Thompson (Effie) – she probably wrote a great part for herself
7. Jane Fonda (Peace, Love and Misunderstanding) – hippie grandmother
8. Olivia Colman / Olivia Williams (Hyde Park on Hudson)
9. Sharon Stone (Lovelace) – IF the film is good/great
10. Woody Allen-reunions in ‘Nero Fiddled’ – Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Allison Pill
11.Olivia Wilde (Butter) – great early word + Weinstein-push
12.Jessica Chastain – Terrence Malick Reunion
13.Nicole Kidman (Paperboy / Stoker) – great year ?
14.Maggie Smith (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) – born scenestealer
15.Gemma Arterton (Song for Marion)
(I also forget about the wonderful Vanessa Redgrave who might come close to another Lead nomination for ‘Song for Marion’)
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brandz / February 16, 2012
Any reason there’s no post about Streep receiving Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement at Berlinale this week? This is an awards sites, no? Her speech was a grand slam!
Concerning our low tolerance for harsh comments about Oscar campaigning — for me, it’s not so much that any individual comment alone is so bad (though many are) — but when 20 comments start piling up with similar complaints, they have the cumulative effect of draining my patience.
There’s a tipping point. A dozen mildly irritating jabs might slide by. But finally there’s going to be a last straw. Then we stop shrugging it off.
Nobody asked my opinion either, but I’m no good at shutting up and keeping my nose out.
because, fuck, I’m tired of re-stacking the Jenga blocks.
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Nik Grape / February 16, 2012
I hear you Ryan. It’s a fair point.
@brandz: I second that proposal. It would be cool with the youtube link to her speech and Jake Gyllenhaal’s candid and moving introduction. No matter what this site’s personal preference is for this year’s Lead Actress, the honor Meryl got for her career thus far should be marked. A respectful suggestion.
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Sasha Stone / February 16, 2012
We pick and choose what to post. There are dozens of things about Streep and Davis we haven’t posted. I didn’t post Davis’ Fresh Air interview for instance, but I did post Streep’s. I posted Streep’s Osage county but didn’t post Davis’ upcoming movie deals. So you know back off people.
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Oscarcrazy / February 16, 2012
OMG! Viola’s daughter is too freakin adorable! VIOLA FOR THE WIN!
Probably not, unless this new version’s script/narrative/screentime makes it look like the female lead is Miss Havisham and not Estella. I don’t know, a trailer would definitely help, because I’ve read some strange stuff about this project…thriller version of the classic story with a NEW ending? If that’s the case, Miss Havisham will definitely have more screentime than expected…she is creepy as hell!
BUT if she goes supporting as widely expected, she could be an instant frontrunner…I mean Helena Bonham Carter playing Miss Havisham ? Sounds like a match made in heaven !
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Deena Jones' wig / February 16, 2012
“Mo’nique?”
My thoughts exactly. Looking back at the landscape of events that year, I admire Monique a billion times more now. I mean, I gave her props back then but man! it takes a certain type of personality to say f*ck off politics,I’m doing me. Give me the award if you want, f*ck off if you don’t. And she did it baby, she did it. Shame she hasn’t done anything since then. Such is the unfair fate for a lot of black actresses. I rank her confession scene in Precious as one of the greatest.
Phantom >> I haven’t read the novel, but I understood her to be the lead (even though she was supporting in the 1998 film?). The movie pimped out promotional shots a few months ago featuring Bonham, which made me think she was going to have a very prominent role. Perhaps it’s a featured supporting turn.
And if a casting announcement for a juicy role for Meryl Streep ruins her Oscar chances, then please let it so she gets nominated every year until she stops working.
And when I say this I mean, if a loss for Streep due to “another upcoming great role that is sure to get nominated” results in continued commercial and critically lauded run, then I say save her win for when she’s in the triple digits.
I love watching her work. And I love people showing up to see her. Period.
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Nik Grape / February 16, 2012
Sasha: “We pick and choose what to post.”
Like I said, it was just a respectful suggestion. A lifetime achievement award for an actress you yourself say you love is something I thought would have been recognized by your site. That’s all. The ultimate decision is, of course, yours.
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Aaron / February 16, 2012
“Dear Nic and everyone else – yes, this isn’t supposed to have every thread turned into an obnoxious consensus discussion about how Meryl Streep deserves it but Davis will win because she’s black. Just not going to have those kinds of comments on my site. Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.”
Like Nic said, there was absolutely nothing in my post about “Viola Davis will win because she’s black.” I’ve never been one of those idiots on this site who says shit like that. I never even bashed Viola Davis, unless you consider raising what I think are pertinent and thoughtful questions about how campaigns and publicity appearances (like Viola on Oprah, Meryl on 60 minutes, Michelle in GQ, Kate Winslet on virtually every single magazine cover and tv talk show in 2008, etc.) help form a narrative and “story” throughout awards season. And no, I didn’t fall off a truck. Mo’Nique and Tilda won their Oscars without appearing on every single talk show or magazine cover from here to China. It’s possible to win on performance, although it’s (sadly) becoming increasingly difficult. Probably why I have such respect for Mo’Nique’s and Tilda’s Oscar wins because it just feels genuine.
As a loyal reader and a (hopefully) level-minded and thoughtful person (I think, I hope), I don’t want to be lumped with the crazy lunatics who make ignorant comments on this site. I’m glad you stand up to and delete comments that make ignorant and insulting opinions about Ms. Davis’ race, age, gender, etc., but there seems to be a lack of discernment recently about what is deleted here on this website…why can’t people address their differing opinions in a thoughtful way without having their comment deleted and the whole message of what they said totally taken out of context? Where’s the discourse if there’s just continuous posts (often edited) of “Viola Davis is awesome”?
Not trying to start a fight or beat a dead horse, I just didn’t think it was fair that many of us who had our comments deleted were lumped into the “evil Meryl Streep fanatics who think Viola Davis is winning because she’s black” category. Sort of looking forward for the finale of this year’s Oscar season so everyone can focus on something fresh and new.
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Zooey / February 16, 2012
Well, of course it isn’t the performance. At least not the performance alone. In Meryl’s case it isn’t either as it isn’t in the cases of Rooney Mara, Michelle Williams and especially Glenn Close.
In a parallell universe maybe it’ll be about the performance alone and then Juliette Binoche, Kirsten Dunst and Olivia Coleman would all have been nominated and head-to-head for the win. And maybe somebody else whom I somehow forget. But no: it isn’t about the performance.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@brandz: I found it very strange too, that there was no mentioning of the Golden Bear Award in Berlin. But nearly every step Viola Davis does is mentioned. Strange, hm?
I read the novel a few years ago, and my impression was that Pip is THE lead, Estella is the female lead, and Miss Havisham is the VERY important and big supporting player…the kind of ‘VERY important and big supporting player’ like Hannibal Lecter and Miranda Priestly. So yes…I’m expecting some category confusion. For what it’s worth, I could see her win EITHER category in the end…Miss Havisham is probably on every actresses ‘Top10 Dream Roles’ list…and for a reason.
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Zooey / February 17, 2012
@ phantom,
no way is Miss Havisham a lead. Actually a case could be made that Pip is the only lead in the novel. And it would be a very stupid decision for Helena to campaign in lead no matter what. Hannibal Lecter and Miranda Priestly went lead for a few reasons: the ZEITGEIST PHENOMENON factor and another thing – both films were very much focused on these characters the way The Great Expectations isn’t focused on Miss Havisham. And of course, she isn’t seen in large portions of the narrative while Priestly was a regular presence and Lecter was there in The SIlence of the Lambs regularly and on every account when it mattered to the plot.
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Mathira / February 17, 2012
@wolf and brandz
You’re not the only ones who noticed
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@Mathira: It would be a sign of fairness just to mention it!
Agreed, I know she is supporting in the novel, but apparently this will be a ‘new’ take on the story, with a ‘thriller-vibe’ and a new ending. So if their interpretation will be THAT different, who knows who will be considered the central character in the end. Sure, Pip is THE lead…but considering Estella obviously will be played by two actresses (child / adult), they might make a case that the FEMALE lead is HBC…even though her character is clearly not, at least not in the book. I guess it will all come down to the reception of the performance…if Helena Bonham-Carter knocks it out of the park, they might pull a ‘Prada’ on us.
It could be similar to ‘Atonement’ : Briony was the lead, but since more than one actress played her, every ‘Briony’ was considered supporting, meanwhile the REAL supporting character, Celia, ended up in the lead race, simply because Knightley didn’t share the character with another actress therefore had more screentime than ANY Briony individually, even though their combined screentime was definitely bigger than Knightley’s.
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Sasha Stone / February 17, 2012
@wolf and brandz
You’re not the only ones who noticed
Extended long whine coming next? Oh goodie.
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Sasha Stone / February 17, 2012
@brandz: I found it very strange too, that there was no mentioning of the Golden Bear Award in Berlin. But nearly every step Viola Davis does is mentioned. Strange, hm?
I’ve explained this.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
But would it be Viola Davis you had mentioned it. I´m sure. But O.K., it´s your side.
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Sasha Stone / February 17, 2012
Like I said, it was just a respectful suggestion. A lifetime achievement award for an actress you yourself say you love is something I thought would have been recognized by your site. That’s all. The ultimate decision is, of course, yours.
Here’s a thought. Why not you and Brandz and all other Streep supporters run your own site? I am not in the habit of running awards speeches when those are from a tribute of some kind – they happen ALL of the time. All over town. The last thing Meryl Streep needs is more publicity.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
But reading this website and some comments makes me Davis not more likeable.
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Sel / February 17, 2012
With all my respects. I don’t think a lifetime achievement in the BERLINALE is a matter that only “matters” to Meryl Streep fans. In Europe is a huge and extremely important prize, and every year the awarded with this honor is mentioned in all of the press.
But of course, it can be different in America…
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
For me Meryl did win quite a lot this awards season, for a very controversal british poltician icon, in a film with mixed reviews (as expected).
The award I was ridiculously hoping her to finally winning again was not Oscar. It was the BAFTA.
There, she has it now, after 30 years.
And she has won the Drama Globe after 29 years! And NY back to back!
I don’t mind seeing Viola winning. No, I really hope she does.
(although I shouldn’t-I always root for the loser in the end-so better switch to Close?)
And she still has the monomentrum incl. BP nom, she doesn’t need BAFTA or Globe. Halle Berry didn’t have that either the year she won.
She will win and watch Meryl be the first to stand up applauding her.
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Zooey / February 17, 2012
@ Sasha,
I don’t want to make a comment about who should win and why but your attitude toward Streep this whole season is UGLY. If you read your own comments, they’re UGLY. To me they are. And they’re disrespectful. And Streep will be the first to cheer and applaud Viola Davis. Streep was the first to repeat that Davis is a great actor and needs more roles. And deserves them. So your attitude is absolutely DISGUSTING.
“I don’t want to make a comment about who should win and why…”
Zooey,
In fact, you should stick to comments about who should win and why. I advise you do that, ok?
Is this how you get your way in real life? When things don’t suit your expectations, you walk up to casual acquaintances and tell them they’re ugly and disgusting? How’s that working out for you?
I’d never single you out and call you a thoughtless, oafish, badgering nag — even if those terms are mild next to ‘disgusting’ and even if they describe your attitude perfectly.
Berinale was referenced on this site in 2011 and 2010.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@Cinesnatch: Why not this year? How do I have to understand your comment?
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Renae / February 17, 2012
I really enjoyed these interview snippets. Thanks for sharing them. I especially appreciated the discussion about whether they even had a glass let alone it being half full/empty — that’s a view I’ve never considered. I took note of how this Oscar zeigeist for all three was a moment to be completely embraced and savored by them because who knows if it would ever come their way again. Hopefully, it will. As a lifetime fan of Streep (I saw KvK on opening day) I never really get this level of pure amazement and joy and maybe that has something to do with the endless nominations (Oscar) and no wins for 30 years–she must feel a bit jaded. Even so, Streep herself has stated on multiple occasions that whenever we see her getting an award or doing an interview or just being spotted in public she is acting. (I was disappointed to hear that from her as it makes me, as a fan, feel not valued by her — not that I need an autograph or pic or anything but I do spend my money to watch her films). So all of that said I found the emotion from Viola and Octavia to be lovely, genuine, refreshing and without agenda.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@Renae: I think this is typical american to love “emotions”. What Davis and Spencer do is just business. This is acting too. People should love them, vote for them and that´s why they crying etc.
It gets really on my nerves, when I watch Award Shows and the acceptance speeches turns into a “sea of tears”. They always thanks their dogs, houskeepers, nannys etc.(don´t take this phrase to seriously).
I think you know what I mean.
Maybe that´s the difference between Europeans and Americans.
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Nik Grape / February 17, 2012
“Streep herself has stated on multiple occasions that whenever we see her getting an award or doing an interview or just being spotted in public she is acting.”
Really? Do you have an example of this?
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Zooey / February 17, 2012
@ Ryan,
first of all, I don’t want to include Viola Davis in my comments. I don’t insult her. I don’t deny her the right to do any interview she’d like to. I’m perfectly fine with her winning and decided not to comment about how deserving she is. I won’t do it because I decided not to.
I don’t call anybody anything. I comment about Sasha’s approach – because she’s the one who calls Streepers names. I didn’t call her anything. I commented on the way she behaves.
And third, just a little comment. Why didn’t anybody on this site reacts to people calling Thomas Horn names (I remember a Thomasita Horn mention that wasn’t edited) but it’s a problem when people comment on The Help? Just answer that. Or no, don’t answer it.
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JP / February 17, 2012
Awards Daily is a blog full of passion, full of discussions, with some great reviews. As an informative blog, In Contention is clearly better. That`s why I read both: they are complementary.
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Zooey / February 17, 2012
“I’d never single you out and call you a thoughtless, oafish, badgering nag — even if those terms are mild next to ‘disgusting’ and even if they describe your attitude perfectly.”
And Ryan,
implying that somebody IS anything is what is ugly and not something to be tolerated. A certain way of behavior can be expressed and even if somebody finds it’s not the truth it’s ethically okay to do it. To call somebody something ISN’T.
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Mathira / February 17, 2012
Yay. My comment was quoted.
I just said that I noticed it as well. Saying that I noticed it does not necessarily imply unnecessary whining. Some of the supposedly implied statements doesn’t follow.
What Davis and Spencer do is just business. This is acting too.
I’m glad I’m not this cynical.
Meryl Streep is happy to admit she’s acting every time we see her on camera, whether in movies or standing at an awards podium. If that’s how she chooses to deal with the constant pressure of being in the spotlight, if that’s how she keeps her private feelings private, that’s fine with me.
It’s naive and a little absurd to think every actor has the same style, attitude and method of coping. Simple-minded to assume that actors don’t have a range of temperaments and various kinds of comfort zones.
Living is acting. Because, in essence, our behavior is our act. Do your friends, parents, coworkers “act” the same way? Reveal their emotions to the same degree? Do none of them have any control over their public persona, or do we all show the world what we want the world to see?
I’m just so sick of all the amateur psychoanalysis that we see every year — and this year is worse than ever. We don’t know these people. Each of them is allowing us to get to know them, each on her own terms.
It’s coarse and hateful to suggest that anybody who cries in public is trying to manipulate us into liking them.
Maybe that´s the difference between Europeans and Americans.
If a willingness to open up and share a moment of genuine emotion is an American thing (and I don’t believe it is), then it’s one of the rare advantages Americans have over people (from wherever) who keep their feelings sealed away, corked and bottled up.
Anyway, wolf, you’re wrong. European actors like Dujardin and Cotillard are plenty gushy and weepy at the microphone whenever they want to be.
97% of your comments are fine. They’re great. That’s the reason your crude gripe isn’t erased. Plus, we don’t want to deal with you crying like you did here:
Dear CENSORSHIP awardsdailies,
Of course my comments were deleted. And I didn’t insult anybody.
I did you a favor that night and restored the comment you were moaning about. You’ve been enjoying the freedom of Sasha’s site for weeks. You’ve written over 250 comments and never once have I seen you thank Sasha for the opportunity she provides you to come share your thoughts.
“I didn’t insult anybody!”
Today you did. You want to say what you think is ugly and disgusting, then I’m telling you what I think is thoughtless badgering.
Isn’t this tons of fun. Just stop it, ok?
What the fuck? The comments are not here to be a Suggestion Box.
Do you know how to use email? Have a complaint? Write to me. Don’t prance around waving a protest banner.
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
Umn, I think it’s a bit unfair to say (and I mean it for both actresses of course), they’re acting when they win awards.
They are actresses, yes and both are great ones, but they have private feelings and joy, happiness, shock, gratefulness…. all of these feelings can easily come out immediately when you win something, expected or not. Emotions are really strong in some situations.
I pretty sure Meryl was shocked to win the Drama Globe, but expected to win the BAFTA. Same goes with Viola being surprised winning the Critics Choice and winning the SAG, because she knew Meryl has paved the way for her for that award three years ago. But even without her, Viola would still have won anyway.
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Sel / February 17, 2012
Ryan: I haven’t seen Jean Dujardin crying at an award show or an interview yet. But if you have a clip of that, I think more than one here will love to know the link.
I would LOVE to see it (I think I’m in love with him, so…). Hahaha.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@Ryan Adams: No, this is different to Europeans and it is not hateful! The Academy Award thing is a huge business, I hope you agree with that. Everybody in my surroundings thinks the same, when it comes to these award shows. The thing with the overwhelming emotions I can only see on american award shows. And Dujardin and Cotillard are actors and they can “act” on stage even if they “only” take their award.Sure, there are emotions, but sometimes I think they are too extreme. And nearly every person I know thinks the same that it is “kitsch”.
I tried to say gushy/weepy. Dujardin acts like he’s overcome with emotion. Pretty sure he’s doing a lot of acting at the podium — and why not? Is it just the crying that bothers people?
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wolf / February 17, 2012
And by the way, this shows are really entertaining, because there happen sometimes “funny” things, which are laughable! Roberto Benigni for example! He was just totally happy! And I would like to see more of this. That actors just are happy and don´t burst into tears. This is getting boring, people.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
I think acting on stage is something like a shield for them.
Berinale was referenced on this site in 2011 and 2010.
Sel, Cinesnatch, branz, all the other avid fans of Berlinale
We ‘reference’ Berlinale every year — when Berlinale announces the winners in competition.
good lord, I featured a giant 1000-word item about Meryl Streep winning the honorary honey bear — on January 2.
(branz, you commented on that news.)
We covered it already.
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Nik Grape / February 17, 2012
I’m pretty sure we can all agree that every actor accepting any award for anything will have a little bit of an act involved in their acceptance speech. But when Dujardin says he did not expect this, or Davis says she loves the actors, or Streep says she’s grateful for this honor etc….all those things are true, why wouldn’t they be?
It only comes to how you handle yourself on the podium/interviews etc. and if you can compose your emotions to talk about what’s important and serious to you. Halle Berry breaking down when she said “this moment is so much bigger than I am” is completely understandable but I can see how Excessive crying can bother people. Especially because these people are actors, extremely rich, used to the game and so on.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
Aha, but you would feature it again, if it wouldn´t be Streep.
We should close this “case”. As I said it before, this blog supports Viola Davis, O.K.
And it´s not surprising that some Streep-Fans are “angry” in their comments, because of the tone of some statements. If it would be the other way around, I think many Davis-Fans would be angry too.
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
@wolf
Well, teary speeches are mostly given by actresses… I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s just true that women can burst into tears more esily than men.
(not deniying that they could too)
Meryl rarely gave a weeping speech, didn’t she? The Comedy Globe speech for J&J was a little teary, but….
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Robert A. / February 17, 2012
“And by the way, this shows are really entertaining, because there happen sometimes “funny” things, which are laughable! Roberto Benigni for example! He was just totally happy! And I would like to see more of this. That actors just are happy and don´t burst into tears. This is getting boring, people.”
Oh man, please no more Benigni routines! I thought he demonstrated some of the most blatant “acting” out of any winner I’ve ever seen–only to me he came across as buffoonish and irritating rather than infectious.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
@Sonja: I can remember Halle Berrys speech. That speech was extreme!
Ryan,
Sel suggested that the Berlinale may not be important to this site and I referenced two years that it was covered. I wasn’t aware of 2012, but you can add it to my comment, if you like.
Cinesnatch, no problem.
You’re on the right side of the issue. Thanks.
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
@wolf
Yes, I remember that too.
It was extreme, but it was a very special moment too.
She was the first black actress to win in lead.
I do think Viola’s speech will be very emotional, but not on that level.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
Oh, Sonja, please, please, if you are a Streep-Fan, stop this negative thinking! It doesn´t help you or Streep or any other person. I know your reasons why you thinking like this.
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
Oh wolf, I wish I could….
But I’m prepared seeing her losing again, so it won’t hurt anymore.
It helps that it’s at least to someone deserving this time.
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Nik Grape / February 17, 2012
“I do think Viola’s speech will be very emotional, but not on that level.”
Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here … but you’re probably right.
Ryan, correct me if I’m wrong, but is the fact that Meryl has so many awards (mostly GGs and SAGs) the reason why this site claims that the last thing she needs is more publicity? I only ask because this is the second time that I see you alluding to how many trophies she’s won, so I’m just trying to make a connection.
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wolf / February 17, 2012
Sonja, I think all actresses are worth of an Oscar. This year. I will happy too, if it´s Glenn Close! That would be huge surprise and totally deserving.
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Sonja / February 17, 2012
@wolf
Well, I do think so too this year.
Yeah, that would be great seeing Glenn going up to the podium! Go Glenn!
But let’s be real.
Ryan, correct me if I’m wrong, but is the fact that Meryl has so many awards (mostly GGs and SAGs) the reason why this site claims that the last thing she needs is more publicity?
I’m not averse to publicity for Meryl Streep, but I’m just not too excited about one more honorary award on top of 50 others she has.
Here’s the thing, gang.
Last year’s Berlinale gave us our first look at A Separation. By any measure, it turned out to be one of the cinematic pinnacles of 2011
This year, Berlinale has a nearly silent b&w homage to Murnau’s Tabu called… Tabu. Which sounds to me far more interesting than this other nearly silent b&w movie I’m sick of writing about.
Ursula Meier’s ‘Sister’ (with Gillian Anderson)
Just the Wind (Hungarian film about Romany racism)
Jane Mansfield’s Car (dir: Billy Bob Thornton)
and what looks to be an absolute stunner: War Witch (about child soldiers in the Congo)
Movies like Barbara, Mercy, Meteora, Aujourd’hui, Caesar Must Die, Home for the Weekend — I’m following all of those. Trying to glean what’s worth writing about.
that’s what interests me about Berlinale — upcoming movies; not another lifetime career montage. As soon as the current highlights of the festival begin to come clear, I look forward to posting news about whatever titles we think we should keep an eye on this year.
I won’t count how many items about tribute awards for Meryl Streep I’ve seen posted here over the years. Feels like 100, and I’m somewhat over it, that’s all. We get it. Great actress. Yes. She appears to be much loved, yes yes. Brava! That’s not really big news to me.
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Renae / February 17, 2012
@wolf: I’m Australian not American. My comment was strictly based on these video clips and nothing further … I was simply stating I enjoyed their joy and emotion in these clips. It felt very genuine to me.
@nik grape: Meryl referenced her “acting” during interviews and acceptance speeches in both her Barnard commencement speech and, if I recall, during her interview with Jane Pauley at Indiana State University (could have the name of the school wrong). That is not to say she doesn’t feel true genuine pleasure and joy when she does win. I merely repeated comments she made herself regarding this matter. And as the private person she is she is certainly entitled but I’d rather not know/think she’s putting on an act. And, honestly, I think she may have been a little dramatic when she made those claims. Just my thoughts.
And just for the record I’m cheering for Streep’s performance this year. Though Viola runs a very very close second, in my opinion.
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Nik Grape / February 17, 2012
“I won’t count how many items about tribute awards for Meryl Streep I’ve seen posted here over the years. Feels like 100, and I’m somewhat over it, that’s all.”
On account of my fresh eyes, I had no idea her tribute awards made up so many articles here. Since that’s the case, that’s a fair point and I can understand the drowning effect it can have on the editor/creator here.
@Renae: OK, thanks, I’ll seek those out. I’m very curious because I always find her acceptance speeches genuine but like I said before, every actor will put a little act in their speech. I would hope she didn’t literarlly mean that she feigns appreciation or is acting when she is praising the other women in her category and outside of it. Nice to hear you’re rooting for her
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Renae / February 17, 2012
@Nik Grape: this is a few years old but one GG and one BAFTA can be added. Granted it doesn’t include her lifetime achievement awards but interesting just the same: http://floorbarker.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/meryl-streep-and-her-trophy-case-redux/
And I do believe Meryl’s very genuine in her support of women in her craft. And I do feel her joy at their success is unbridled.
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iggy / February 17, 2012
Oh my, and still 9 days to go …
Anyway, I was just in the neighbourhood to add Michelle Pfeiffer to the list of possible supporting contenders next year for Dark Shadows. If the movie is a hit and it’s not as annoying as Alice in Wonderland, playing a bitch (I have no idea, just based on the photos) may pay off for a more than overdue actress. Fingers crossed. If she gets nominated next year, I promise I’ll be as annoying and repetitive as… during all the voting period.
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Byron Gray / February 17, 2012
Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
I’ve always had the deepest respect for Viola Davis. I just don’t think she gave the best performance of the year. And the tone of her campaign troubles me.
– Sasha: Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
– Byron Gray: Your comment, Sasha, strikes me as Stalinist.
right, that bleeding-heart Stalin, what a dick he was, always sticking up for black women.
Your reaction, Byron Gray, strikes me as Kafkaesque.
Now your turn to tell me I’m being Orwellian.
Sasha can tell us both we’re being, I dunno — Greco-Roman?
Then I’ll lose my shit altogether and accuse Oprah of being Satanic.
hysterically extremist enough for you?
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Bennett / February 17, 2012
This is getting exhausting. Davis and Streep are both phenomenal actors. As a famous casting director once said, “Don’t worry. The curtain will rise and someone will be there.”
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Byron Gray / February 17, 2012
A measure of extremism, Ryan, is prohibiting any discussion whatsoever about a person or subject.
Well…I think ALL 5 nominees would be deserving winners (and I rarely think that), and even though, I am definitely rooting for Viola Davis, I could be happy for any one of those ladies : Meryl Streep, who could FINALLY win her third; Glenn Close, who could finally win her FIRST (travesty); Michelle Williams, who quietly became one of the most interesting/talented/brilliant actresses of her generation and excelled the role of a true American CINEMATIC (!) icon; and Rooney Mara, who exceeded my wildest expectations and delivered one of the most memorable female performances of 2011.
I LOVED these 5 performances…the sole reason I can’t jump on the Streep-bandwagon, is that I REALLY didn’t like ‘The Iron Lady’ and I firmly believe it would be below her to win her long-awaited third Oscar for a film that would be probably remembered as one of the worst films that received a Best Actress Oscar…and I am rooting for Viola Davis because A) I consider her performance Oscar-worthy B) I genuinely believe she IS one of the greatest Oscarless actresses today…Hollywood failed to put her remarkable acting talent to good use, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t one of the best…it means she simply didn’t get opportunities she most certainly should have.
Why isn´t anyone talking about Jonah Hill? I know he’s not much loved here, but I thought he gave a great low key performance, he just happens to be in company of four amazing actors and getting criticized for it. In my opinion, he deserved to be there.
I think ‘Moneyball’ was an excellent film with an excellent screenplay. I also think Brad Pitt gave a brilliant, understated performance…having said that, I don’ get Jonah Hill’s hype. In my opinion, he gave a perfectly acceptable performance…no more, no less. I don’t think it was anything special and I REALLY don’t think it Oscar-worthy. I’ve seen the film three times now, and I just simply don’t get how he pulled off the Oscar nomination. I could not find ONE moment of that performance that was even a little challenging OR required serious acting chops, and frankly I think it is frustrating that he sailed through to the top5 without a hitch, meanwhile (IMO) outstanding supporting turns failed to gain much traction during the whole season.
Fantastic actors EXCELLED iconic roles in 2011 (Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès, Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, Alan Rickman as Snape, Viggo Mortensen as Freud, Corey Stoll as Hemingway), not to mention Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life), Christoph Waltz (Carnage), John Hawkes (Martha Marcy May Marlene), George Clooney (The Ides of March), Tom Hollander (Hanna), Tom Hardy (OR basically anyone from ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’), Tom Hiddleston (War Horse OR Midnight in Paris), Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse OR Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin), Stellan Skarsgard (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Albert Brooks (Drive), Patton Oswalt (Young Adult), Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes).
Jonah Hill is young and it’s great that after establishing himself in comedies, he found success in a drama, good for him…he delivered a good performance…my problem is that there were A LOT of GREAT male supporting turns last year and those were ignored, meanwhile Hill got in EASILY.
Viola Davis is the best actress of 2011. She deserves to win, hands down.
Although I do see what you mean when you point out that she seems very dramatic when it comes to Oscar interviews, acceptance speeches, roundtables etc., I think we should NEVER forget, that she probably never thought she could EVER come close to a Best Actress Oscar, and that explains why she is so…excited. A supporting Oscar ? Maybe, that happens every now and then (Mo’nique, Jennifer Hudson, Whoopi Goldberg), but a LEAD Oscar ? The Academy awarded only ONE African-American actress in that category…and she was a bombshell in her early thirties; a movie star, who had just starred in the first part of a succesful franchise (X-Men) AND had been announced as the new Bond-girl around that time, too, not to mention, she was fresh off her remarkably succesful HBO-biopic ‘Introducing Dorothy Dandridge’ that not only earned her the EMMY-SAG-GOLDEN GLOBE trio, but also helped her prove herself as a worthy leading lady perfectly capable of excelling an iconic role.
Then there is 46 years old Viola Davis, who though beautiful, was never considered a ‘Bond-girl-type-bombshell’ and until now, she had been NEVER considered a leading lady, either and DEFINITELY not a movie star. Before ‘The Help’, she had NEVER landed a lead in a feature, and even now, Aibileen is ‘only’ a co-lead, and a lot of people are even trying to downgrade her to supporting (well, based on narrative, screentime and the source material, she is DEFINITELY co-lead).
She had minor roles in (kind-of)good/great films (Out of Sight, Traffic, Far From Heaven, World Trade Center, Solaris, Disturbia, Doubt, State of Play, It’s Kind of a Funny Story), but she NEVER had a leading role, so it’s easy to see WHY a LEAD OSCAR seems to be so important to her. More often than not, she had to do TV (mostly guest stints) OR the ‘leading lady’s best friend’ and other ridiculous supporting turns in bad/mediocre films (Law Abiding Citizen, Nightss in Rodanthe, Knight and Day, Eat Pray Love)…and by this time, she was a Tony-Award winning Juilliard alumna…so even though, I would love it if she could just take it easy, I perfectly understand why she simply can NOT : she probably thinks that being up for a Best Actress Oscar as a top2 contender, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her…and though I REALLY hope it won’t be the case, unfortunately precedent/history backs up her fears.
Oh please. Viola’s campaigning is no more ridiculous than Winslet’s in 08 and she didn’t get nearly as much scrutiny. Viola’s enjoying her moment. She happens to give wonderful emotional interviews and speeches. Is that her being desperate for an Oscar? No. Jesus.
People are desperate to spin her probable win to be about anything except her performance. It’s getting pathetic.
Oh my god, Viola Davis’s daughter is so incredibly adorable!!! That just made my day.
@phantom: Fair enough, everything you said is true. A little more composure certainly wouldn’t hurt but that’s my own personal pet peeve with people in general, not just Viola in this case. The fact that this is happening during Oscar campaign season just raises my eyebrow a bit. I could be just bitter that Meryl will most likely lose again, I dunno.
@Noah: you should learn from other Viola supporters like phantom there. I don’t remember Winslet bursting into tears in her interviews and talking about how much she’s sufferred? Could be wrong here. To me this doesn’t look like she’s ‘enjoying the moment’ looks more like ‘being uncontrolably overwhelmed’ by it. And you have no idea how desperate or not she is for an Oscar, so please, leave Jesus out of this :p.
Every Viola supporter will take every interview/speech she does with a spoon-full of sugar and the Puss-in-Boots look. I get that. But I said nothing about her performance, which is Oscar-worthy by the way. It just sucks it comes in the same year of a performance that is way more Oscar-worthy in my humble opinion.
I was comparing what you called Davis’s “transparency” to Winslet’s transparency (“I fucking want an Oscar”) which no one seemed to have as big a problem with. Davis is perfectly within reason to answer questions about her life and upbringing. I find it needlessly cynical and speculative to see that as begging for an Oscar.
I love Viola Davis. That is all.
“I was comparing what you called Davis’s “transparency” to Winslet’s transparency (“I fucking want an Oscar”) which no one seemed to have as big a problem with”
Now you know that is a LIE, an enormous, colossal LIE. Winslet was literally raked through the coals that year, I vividly remember. Everyone and their mother complained about her campaign strategy. It even got worse after her dramatic Golden Globe speech. I honestly don’t want to get into this campaign “transparency” argument but to say Winslet did not get shit that year for the way she campaigned is an ABSOLUTE LIE.
Saw the entire interviews today and they were great. Oprah is in love with Viola, and why shouldn’t she be. I do agree that at times Viola gets too dramatic for an Oscar campaign, as if she’s taking it upon herself to carry the mantle of the female Sidney Poitier/Denzel Washington, which can wear out those of us who are less invested in the Oscar race than Davis herself is.
Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
Deena Jones’ wig
“Meryl always loses to the actress with “momentum””
Well, the good news that at this very moment, Meryl Streep seems to have the momentum after winning only her second (travesty) BAFTA and first Drama Golden Globe in almost 30 years…then there is the infamous Weinstein-push, a factor nobody should underestimate, and who knows…Streep might just win. In recent cases, it was usually rather obvious on Oscar-night who will win instead of her, precursors backed up those contenders (Bullock, Mirren, Winslet, Zeta-Jones etc.), but NOW with the Drama GG/BAFTA combination, precursor-wise she is closer to an Oscar-victory than she had ever been since Sophie’s Choice…in the last 10 years, the 3 actresses who pulled off the Oscar without a Lead SAG, ALL had the GG/BAFTA combo. But to be honest, I REALLY don’t think the ‘August : Osage County’ announcement helped…voters who loved her performance, but hated the film, now have the convenient option to think ‘hey, why not wait for this great Meryl-turn in a potentially great film’ ?
We’ll see, but for what it’s worth, the race is most certainly NOT over, usually we have frontrunners in the acting categories…not this year. We have two damn strong contenders and we will only know which one wins when Colin Firth opens that damn envelope. At this point, I could be only shocked by a tie OR a ‘lucky third’ scenario…clearly both are ‘No Guts, No Glory’ material.
Deena Jones’ wig
‘She’s not speaking because she lost.’
I know you meant she won’t win the Oscar, but taking everything into account, I think Rooney Mara is actually the biggest winner of the category…pulled off the nomination without SAG, BFCA, BAFTA nominations and any significant critics awards, for a genre performance that is also her first lead role, a role that was originated by a great actress to critical acclaim only a year ago, and all that at the age of 26. We all knew the other 4 are excellent actresses, Mara was the only one who had to prove herself…and she did just that.
“But to be honest, I REALLY don’t think the ‘August : Osage County’ announcement helped…voters who loved her performance, but hated the film, now have the convenient option to think ‘hey, why not wait for this great Meryl-turn in a potentially great film’ ?”
I have to agree with you phantom. I did not want to comment on this issue because of my disappointment. This might be Harvey’s biggest blunder yet. I strongly believe so.
Viola Davis was amazing in The Help and would be a worthy winner, but grrrrr I CAN’T WATCH THOSE VIDEOS OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.!!!!
WHY do they only make it accessible for youtube watchers in the U.S.?!?
JP
Aibileen is not a supporting part in the book, and it is not a supporting part in the film. The film’s narrative especially backs up the co-lead status, not to mention her character is the link between the other two co-leads. The film doesn’t revolve all around her, sure…but that doesn’t make her a supporting player.
*I meant ‘SHE is not a supporting part’
phantom,
If she`s lead or supporting is a matter of opinion. For me, she has the same importance and screen time that Melanie Laurent had in Inglorious Basterds. The problem is that those 2 films are a work of cast and the role which is lead is not showy (Brad Pitt and Emma Stone). Melanie Laurent, who by the way gave a much more challenging performance than Davis, went lead and was not nominated. Harvey is not perfect all the time. She should have been supporting and had much better scenes than Diane Kruger.
bene,
something i want ask you
can you email me?
ryanadams.ad@gmail.com
Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
Agreed.
People are desperate to spin her probable win to be about anything except her performance. It’s getting pathetic.
Not “people,” whiny, annoying Streep fans only.
Sasha,
but the problem of The Iron Lady is not the script and the director? Or is it Meryl? Viola would not characterize as Maggie Tatcher? Would not put the wiig that you loved so much?
– Davis would have been a better Thatcher. Think about it. She really would have.
– Agreed.
Seconded.
Think Orson Welles’ 1936 Macbeth with an all-black cast.
“Oh please. Viola’s campaigning is no more ridiculous than Winslet’s in 08 and she didn’t get nearly as much scrutiny.”
I agree with Deena. I call bull on that. Winslet was heavily criticized that year, particularly after her double Golden Globe wins. I remember the British press crucified her for her manic, melodramatic speeches and many thought she was embarrassingly begging for it. Obviously, it didn’t hurt her because Winslet was “due” in the sense that she was on her sixth nomination and had many “best actress of her generation” sentiments going on–not to mention HARVEY WEINSTEIN was behind her campaign.
Viola Davis is not my personal preference for best actress,[blah blah blah].[Blah blah blah] [there is no one campaigning harder and longer than Meryl Streep -- so kindly stop.]
Holy shit, Ryan! That’s an awesome idea. Fast track that. NOW!
My main frustration with this process every year is that 90+% of the discussions cover everything BUT the performances. I couldn’t care less if Viola cries for a week, or if she says things that should or should not resonate with potential Oscar voters. Ditto for Meryl, Michelle, Rooney, or Glenn (or Tilda and Charlize, for that matter). If her performance is the best, people should vote for it. If not, they shouldn’t. End of story.
But we end up with issues like an actor not being “likable” enough (see Russell Crowe), not having “suffered enough” (Meryl and Angelina), being “due” (Glenn and Viola), or other completely irrelevant things. Even on here, most of the comments have little or nothing to do with who gave the best performance. What will make “impact”, “give hope”, or “right past wrongs” seem to resonate more than strong acting. Oh well, I guess I can take solace in the fact that some people who vote for “acting” awards care only minimally about acting, and care much more about “important social matters”.
LOL, I just rewatched the THR Actress Roundtable and thought, Viola Davis would definitely deserve her dream role ‘Lady Macbeth’, either with an all-black cast OR envisioned as a one-(wo)man film titled ‘Lady Macbeth’ that would tell the story strictly from her point of view, and she would be the ONLY character in the film…she would knock it out of the park.
@ Aaron, good point about both Winslet and Davis.
I always try to separate my opinion about the Actor as a person, his/her interviews and public presence from his/her work, yet in Winslet’s case I was truly disappointed and right now Viola’s not winning any points either.
A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION: when shall we start guessing about next year’s Best Actress nominees?
I can’t wait
@ GoOnNow
From the most promising… Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina), Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby), Laura Linney (the film with the Roosevelts, forgot the name), Meryl again (Great Hope Springs) and depending on lead or supporting…. Sally Field for Lincoln.
You have to campaign to win, people, did you all fall of the back of a truck?
I’m not trying to be argumentative, but why was the rest of my post deleted? I was simply talking about the irrelevancy of personal narrative/history in the Oscar race and I even mentioned Michelle Williams doing the same as Viola Davis. And how in the world was my comments about the classiness of non-campaigners about Tilda Swinton and Mo’Nique offensive? I’m really failing to see how what I wrote can be misconstrued. The only reply I get in place of what I wrote is some weird comment from the moderators about how Meryl Streep is the one campaigning hard, who I didn’t even MENTION in my post. Can you explain? I really don’t mean to be contrary or troublesome, I’m just legitimately confused on how my post was offensive or unworthy in some way.
Your post was deleted, Aaron, because it is going on the supposition that there is something wrong with this type of interview, or that Davis is somehow acting outside the realm of what any contender does during Oscar season.
Sasha / Ryan
If one of you reads this, I had an idea for a piece, it could be a follow-up to 2011 – Sophie’s Choice ?, which was supposed to be a fluff piece to distract people from the Portman-Bening battle last year, it focused on next year (I mean 2011), and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats, some distraction might be a good idea now, too. If it doesn’t sound terrible, it could be a yearly thing, this time the title could be 2012 – The War of the English Roses ? and it could be about Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina) and Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby) who might have career-defining roles on their hands in 2012. It is always fun to look back at ridiculously early, completely hunch-based predictions : last time it turned out to be 3/5 + a tiny mention of Viola Davis + complete lack of faith and no mention of Rooney Mara who proved me wrong and now (after seeing her film three times) made me consider her turn as probably THE best of 2011.
OK, I couldn’t help myself LOL
Actress & Supporting Actress
1. Keira Knightley, Anna Karenina
2. Emily Watson, Anna Karenina
3. Sally Field, Lincoln
4. Maggie Smith, Quartet
5. Diane Keaton, Darling Companion
6. Carey Mulligan, The Great Gatsby/ Inside Llewyn Davis
7. Vanessa Redgrave, A Song For Marion
8. Meryl Streep, Great Hope Springs
9. Helen Mirren, The Door
10. Helena Bonham Carter, The Great Expectations
11. Annette Bening, Imogene
12. Kristen Wiig, Imogene
13. Emma Stone, The Gangster Squad
14. Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy/ Stoker
15. Amy Adams, The Master
16. Laura Dern, The Master
17. Marion Cotillard, Lowlife
18. Julianne Moore, What Maisie Knew
19. Laura Linney, Hyde Park On Hudson
20. Olivia Williams, Hyde Park On Hudson
21. Olivia Colman, Hyde Park On Hudson
22. Abbie Cornish, The Girl
If Laura Linney is great (as usual) in the roosevelts film, I`m really gonna support her win. She and Glenn Close (who I didn`t like in Albert Nobbs) are, for me, the two best working actress without an Oscar.
and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats,
The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.
@ Sasha,
I respect your opinion, but I never once said Viola Davis was wrong for doing these videos. I even mentioned that I found her discussions “eye opening” and “touching” but I simply stated that her performance can stand alone on merit without the plethora of these various tv interviews that have nothing really to do with her film and/or her performance (and I said the same thing about Williams and her million tv interviews over the past few weeks). It’s a problem I have EVERY Oscar season with stars virtually pleading for an Oscar (Bullock, Winslet, Swank, just a few that come to mind). Frankly, I think you just didn’t like what I had to say and just deleted it. I really enjoy reading your site and I think you have wonderful insights on film history and the Oscar season, but with all due respect, it seems you are a bit touchy on anything related to Viola Davis that you just slightly disagree on.
“The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.“
Sasha… we, the social network fans, were at everyone else`s throat last year…
I am a “Streep fan”, and feel her performance this year was best. That said, there were other quality performances (including Tilda and Charlize in addition to the Oscar nominees). If someone else wins, I will be the first to congratulate her.
JP
I would also add Helen Mirren (The Door), Kerry Washington (Django Unchained), Nicole Kidman (My Wild Life), Sandra Bullock (Gravity), Rachel McAdams (Untitled Terrence Malick Project), Noomi Rapace (Prometheus), Kristen Wiig (Imogene), Dakota Fanning (Effie or Now is Good), Naomi Watts (The Impossible /The Grandmothers), Amanda Seyfried (Lovelace / Les Miserables), Diane Keaton (Darling Companion / The Big Wedding), Mia Wasikowska (Stoker), Viola Davis (Won’t Back Down), Jennifer Garner (Butter / The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Helen Hunt (The Surrogate), Saoirse Ronan (Byzantium), Holliday Grainger (Great Expectations), Gwyneth Paltrow (Thanks for Sharing), Amy Adams (Trouble with the Curve / The Master), Jessica Chastain (Untitled Kathryn Bigelow Project), Ellen Page (The East), Judi Dench (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Julianne Moore (What Maisie Knew / The English Teacher), Elizabeth Olsen / Glenn Close (Theresa Raquin), Reese Witherspoon (Mud).
I REALLY hope Laura Linney (Hyde Park on Hudson) will be a strong player, I am also rooting for the second nominations of Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan, but above all, I just hope Sally Field won’t win a third Oscar…and simply because her studio is probably aware that the Academy might not want to give her a third Best Actress Oscar, they will probably campaign her in supporting, where she might have a considerably better shot. Meanwhile IF narrative backs her up, Helena Bonham Carter (Great Expectations) seems like the most likely supporting contender who could be upgraded to lead…after all, Miss Havisham is a legendary part, and the studio might put newcomer Grainger in the supporting race, claiming she shares the part of Estella with her young version , so she doesn’t have enough screentime to qualify for lead.
Sasha Stone
“and considering how heated things are now that the Streep/Davis supporters are at each others’ throats,
The Streep fans are at everyone else’s throat. No one in the Davis camp or any other camp is acting like that.”
Fair enough.
“Frankly, I think you just didn’t like what I had to say and just deleted it. I really enjoy reading your site and I think you have wonderful insights on film history and the Oscar season, but with all due respect, it seems you are a bit touchy on anything related to Viola Davis that you just slightly disagree on.”
Sounds like it yes, and I concur with the love for the site and the articles. My post was deleted too (which started off saying how I actually am not a viola davis hater and love her talent..) and replaced by “Viola Davis is the best actress”. phantom’s response to my initial post now sounds like (s)he’s talking to a wall…and this after me praising this website and Sasha’s other article on Tree of Life/Hugo and saying I’m going to be a life long fan…I thought we were free to place our opinions which can sometimes be criticism? I didn’t offend anyone, didn’t insult Davis (a small jab at Oprah but I doubt it was this that broke the camel’s back) .
But hey, it’s their site and they can do what they want I guess.
What’s a shame is that because of a couple of loons any fan of Streep now is going to be branded a maniac out for blood, while people like Noah who are defending Viola and calling others pathetic have their posts intact.
Anyway, good luck to all five women nominated for Lead Actress.
Can we have an interview with Williams/Mara/Close up to mix it up a bit maybe?
@ phantom
Nicole Kidman in “My Wild Life” ? Where is this, I really can’t find it.
I really don’t see acting noms in the “Prometheus” project, I could be wrong.
the Kathryn Bigelow project is yet to start filming and it’s already mid February. Same goes for “Therese Raquin”.
Btw, The Weinsteins are behind “A Song for Marion” aren’t they? This could mean strong support for Redgrave. Gemma Arterton even.
If I have to be honest, I want to see Maggie Smith with an Oscar nomination again.
2012 will be a big names year, just as 2011 (Streep, Close, Williams), so I don’t see a lot of room for young guns/less known names, that excludes established actors such as Keira Knightley & Carey Mulligan, of course.
yep, “Les Misérables” is filming and it has Tom Hooper, I somehow skipped that LOL
phantom
If they like The Master and since she has showy scenes, Amy Adams has Best Supporting Actress in the bag. Just like many had Christian Bale as the frontrunner all year long… I think the same will happen to Amy Adams. I personally think she was better than Melissa Leo in The Fighter. The best for me last year was Hailee Steinfeld, but she was lead (as I always says, it`s tough to discuss category placement…).
For me, Laura Linney is the actress that most reminds me of the Meryl Streep “chameleon“style. She can play a mean rich woman in a light comedy and a frustrated one in a drama (another thing bizarre is comedy/drama placement… The Savages was considered a comedy).
I like Sally Field but she definitely doesn`t deserve a third Oscar. And I also think they will campaign her as supporting. Field and Strathairn will likely be Lincoln`s supporting bets.
From the british ladies, the two are great although in terms of british with this age, I prefer Emily Blunt over Mulligan and Knightley. And despite I think Mulligan is a great actress, I really find nothing special about her in An Education. She was fine but great or fantastic. I actually didn`t like this film. For me, it was lots of old cliches together and despite fine performances from Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams, I hated Peter Saarsgard`s performance.
GoOnNow
‘My Wild Life’ was announced in November, it is a drama centered on animal conservationist/elephant advocate Dame Daphne Sheldrick (sounds rather Academy-friendly). Production is scheduled for first quarter 2012 on location in Africa, and probably Universal will distribute it domestically with a date sometime around the 2012 holidays.
It’s strange that IMDB hasn’t listed it yet…and considering no further castings have been announced so far, I think they can kiss that ‘first-quarter-filming date’ goodbye, too. Well…we’ll see!
Nik Grape
He.
Dear Nic and everyone else – yes, this isn’t supposed to have every thread turned into an obnoxious consensus discussion about how Meryl Streep deserves it but Davis will win because she’s black. Just not going to have those kinds of comments on my site. Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
“Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.”
I hope you apply the same rule to Meryl Streep too, you know, for fairness’ sake.
Nobody is bashing Streep.
But did my post say anything about her winning because she’s black? Did i bash her? Now I’m confused. Anyways, I’m sure you have a good reason for being a little sensitive on this whole Davis-Streep fiasco, God knows how many posts you saw that you had to remove/re-edit which were just full of obnoxious bashing. I can’t blame you and I don’t.
The fact that you kept the post where I respectfully say whom I believe to be the better of the two, but conceding that both deserve it, shows me that you’re not deleting every post pro-Meryl post willy nilly, and that’s alright in my books
Stupid “i” was always caps-locked when I’m home .. I’m not that self-conscious guys, justsayin’
JP
I preferred Amy Adams in ‘The Fighter’, too and I was convinced she will pull off a surprise win, simply for being there for the third time, but clearly I was wrong. THEN I thought, ok, NEXT TIME will be definitely her time…BUT looking at this year’s potential contenders, I think she will face some SERIOUS competition :
1. Helena Bonham Carter (Great Expectations) – legendary role + she is in Les Miserables and Dark Shadows, too
2. Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) – baity AND grateful part + she could pull a ‘Joker’ on us, too
3. OTHER ‘Les Miserables-gals’ – Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks
4. Sally Field (Lincoln) – the Academy loves her, REALLY loves her
5. Annette Bening (Imogene) – she plays Wiig’s gambling-addict mother
6. Emma Thompson (Effie) – she probably wrote a great part for herself
7. Jane Fonda (Peace, Love and Misunderstanding) – hippie grandmother
8. Olivia Colman / Olivia Williams (Hyde Park on Hudson)
9. Sharon Stone (Lovelace) – IF the film is good/great
10. Woody Allen-reunions in ‘Nero Fiddled’ – Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Allison Pill
11.Olivia Wilde (Butter) – great early word + Weinstein-push
12.Jessica Chastain – Terrence Malick Reunion
13.Nicole Kidman (Paperboy / Stoker) – great year ?
14.Maggie Smith (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) – born scenestealer
15.Gemma Arterton (Song for Marion)
(I also forget about the wonderful Vanessa Redgrave who might come close to another Lead nomination for ‘Song for Marion’)
Any reason there’s no post about Streep receiving Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement at Berlinale this week? This is an awards sites, no? Her speech was a grand slam!
Concerning our low tolerance for harsh comments about Oscar campaigning — for me, it’s not so much that any individual comment alone is so bad (though many are) — but when 20 comments start piling up with similar complaints, they have the cumulative effect of draining my patience.
There’s a tipping point. A dozen mildly irritating jabs might slide by. But finally there’s going to be a last straw. Then we stop shrugging it off.
Nobody wants to be the person who makes the whole Jenga tower come crashing down.
Nobody asked my opinion either, but I’m no good at shutting up and keeping my nose out.
because, fuck, I’m tired of re-stacking the Jenga blocks.
I hear you Ryan. It’s a fair point.
@brandz: I second that proposal. It would be cool with the youtube link to her speech and Jake Gyllenhaal’s candid and moving introduction. No matter what this site’s personal preference is for this year’s Lead Actress, the honor Meryl got for her career thus far should be marked. A respectful suggestion.
We pick and choose what to post. There are dozens of things about Streep and Davis we haven’t posted. I didn’t post Davis’ Fresh Air interview for instance, but I did post Streep’s. I posted Streep’s Osage county but didn’t post Davis’ upcoming movie deals. So you know back off people.
OMG! Viola’s daughter is too freakin adorable! VIOLA FOR THE WIN!
“You have to campaign to win, people, did you all fall of the back of a truck?”
Mo’nique?
I just thought Streep’s Golden Bear was a huge deal, bigger than any interview or movie deal for either actress. This is an awards site, after all.
Phantom >> You don’t think Bonham Carter will go lead?
Cinesnatch
Probably not, unless this new version’s script/narrative/screentime makes it look like the female lead is Miss Havisham and not Estella. I don’t know, a trailer would definitely help, because I’ve read some strange stuff about this project…thriller version of the classic story with a NEW ending? If that’s the case, Miss Havisham will definitely have more screentime than expected…she is creepy as hell!
BUT if she goes supporting as widely expected, she could be an instant frontrunner…I mean Helena Bonham Carter playing Miss Havisham ? Sounds like a match made in heaven !
“Mo’nique?”
My thoughts exactly. Looking back at the landscape of events that year, I admire Monique a billion times more now. I mean, I gave her props back then but man! it takes a certain type of personality to say f*ck off politics,I’m doing me. Give me the award if you want, f*ck off if you don’t. And she did it baby, she did it. Shame she hasn’t done anything since then. Such is the unfair fate for a lot of black actresses. I rank her confession scene in Precious as one of the greatest.
Phantom >> I haven’t read the novel, but I understood her to be the lead (even though she was supporting in the 1998 film?). The movie pimped out promotional shots a few months ago featuring Bonham, which made me think she was going to have a very prominent role. Perhaps it’s a featured supporting turn.
I meant “a lead” along with Pip.
… could she not be a lead along the lines of Hannibal Lector in “Lambs” and Miranda Priestley in “Prada”?
And if a casting announcement for a juicy role for Meryl Streep ruins her Oscar chances, then please let it so she gets nominated every year until she stops working.
And when I say this I mean, if a loss for Streep due to “another upcoming great role that is sure to get nominated” results in continued commercial and critically lauded run, then I say save her win for when she’s in the triple digits.
I love watching her work. And I love people showing up to see her. Period.
Sasha: “We pick and choose what to post.”
Like I said, it was just a respectful suggestion. A lifetime achievement award for an actress you yourself say you love is something I thought would have been recognized by your site. That’s all. The ultimate decision is, of course, yours.
“Dear Nic and everyone else – yes, this isn’t supposed to have every thread turned into an obnoxious consensus discussion about how Meryl Streep deserves it but Davis will win because she’s black. Just not going to have those kinds of comments on my site. Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.”
Like Nic said, there was absolutely nothing in my post about “Viola Davis will win because she’s black.” I’ve never been one of those idiots on this site who says shit like that. I never even bashed Viola Davis, unless you consider raising what I think are pertinent and thoughtful questions about how campaigns and publicity appearances (like Viola on Oprah, Meryl on 60 minutes, Michelle in GQ, Kate Winslet on virtually every single magazine cover and tv talk show in 2008, etc.) help form a narrative and “story” throughout awards season. And no, I didn’t fall off a truck. Mo’Nique and Tilda won their Oscars without appearing on every single talk show or magazine cover from here to China. It’s possible to win on performance, although it’s (sadly) becoming increasingly difficult. Probably why I have such respect for Mo’Nique’s and Tilda’s Oscar wins because it just feels genuine.
As a loyal reader and a (hopefully) level-minded and thoughtful person (I think, I hope), I don’t want to be lumped with the crazy lunatics who make ignorant comments on this site. I’m glad you stand up to and delete comments that make ignorant and insulting opinions about Ms. Davis’ race, age, gender, etc., but there seems to be a lack of discernment recently about what is deleted here on this website…why can’t people address their differing opinions in a thoughtful way without having their comment deleted and the whole message of what they said totally taken out of context? Where’s the discourse if there’s just continuous posts (often edited) of “Viola Davis is awesome”?
Not trying to start a fight or beat a dead horse, I just didn’t think it was fair that many of us who had our comments deleted were lumped into the “evil Meryl Streep fanatics who think Viola Davis is winning because she’s black” category. Sort of looking forward for the finale of this year’s Oscar season so everyone can focus on something fresh and new.
Well, of course it isn’t the performance. At least not the performance alone. In Meryl’s case it isn’t either as it isn’t in the cases of Rooney Mara, Michelle Williams and especially Glenn Close.
In a parallell universe maybe it’ll be about the performance alone and then Juliette Binoche, Kirsten Dunst and Olivia Coleman would all have been nominated and head-to-head for the win. And maybe somebody else whom I somehow forget. But no: it isn’t about the performance.
@brandz: I found it very strange too, that there was no mentioning of the Golden Bear Award in Berlin. But nearly every step Viola Davis does is mentioned. Strange, hm?
Cinesnatch
I read the novel a few years ago, and my impression was that Pip is THE lead, Estella is the female lead, and Miss Havisham is the VERY important and big supporting player…the kind of ‘VERY important and big supporting player’ like Hannibal Lecter and Miranda Priestly. So yes…I’m expecting some category confusion. For what it’s worth, I could see her win EITHER category in the end…Miss Havisham is probably on every actresses ‘Top10 Dream Roles’ list…and for a reason.
@ phantom,
no way is Miss Havisham a lead. Actually a case could be made that Pip is the only lead in the novel. And it would be a very stupid decision for Helena to campaign in lead no matter what. Hannibal Lecter and Miranda Priestly went lead for a few reasons: the ZEITGEIST PHENOMENON factor and another thing – both films were very much focused on these characters the way The Great Expectations isn’t focused on Miss Havisham. And of course, she isn’t seen in large portions of the narrative while Priestly was a regular presence and Lecter was there in The SIlence of the Lambs regularly and on every account when it mattered to the plot.
@wolf and brandz
You’re not the only ones who noticed
@Mathira: It would be a sign of fairness just to mention it!
Is Oprah looking frumpy these days?
Zooey
Agreed, I know she is supporting in the novel, but apparently this will be a ‘new’ take on the story, with a ‘thriller-vibe’ and a new ending. So if their interpretation will be THAT different, who knows who will be considered the central character in the end. Sure, Pip is THE lead…but considering Estella obviously will be played by two actresses (child / adult), they might make a case that the FEMALE lead is HBC…even though her character is clearly not, at least not in the book. I guess it will all come down to the reception of the performance…if Helena Bonham-Carter knocks it out of the park, they might pull a ‘Prada’ on us.
It could be similar to ‘Atonement’ : Briony was the lead, but since more than one actress played her, every ‘Briony’ was considered supporting, meanwhile the REAL supporting character, Celia, ended up in the lead race, simply because Knightley didn’t share the character with another actress therefore had more screentime than ANY Briony individually, even though their combined screentime was definitely bigger than Knightley’s.
@wolf and brandz
You’re not the only ones who noticed
Extended long whine coming next? Oh goodie.
@brandz: I found it very strange too, that there was no mentioning of the Golden Bear Award in Berlin. But nearly every step Viola Davis does is mentioned. Strange, hm?
I’ve explained this.
But would it be Viola Davis you had mentioned it. I´m sure. But O.K., it´s your side.
Like I said, it was just a respectful suggestion. A lifetime achievement award for an actress you yourself say you love is something I thought would have been recognized by your site. That’s all. The ultimate decision is, of course, yours.
Here’s a thought. Why not you and Brandz and all other Streep supporters run your own site? I am not in the habit of running awards speeches when those are from a tribute of some kind – they happen ALL of the time. All over town. The last thing Meryl Streep needs is more publicity.
But reading this website and some comments makes me Davis not more likeable.
With all my respects. I don’t think a lifetime achievement in the BERLINALE is a matter that only “matters” to Meryl Streep fans. In Europe is a huge and extremely important prize, and every year the awarded with this honor is mentioned in all of the press.
But of course, it can be different in America…
For me Meryl did win quite a lot this awards season, for a very controversal british poltician icon, in a film with mixed reviews (as expected).
The award I was ridiculously hoping her to finally winning again was not Oscar. It was the BAFTA.
There, she has it now, after 30 years.
And she has won the Drama Globe after 29 years! And NY back to back!
I don’t mind seeing Viola winning. No, I really hope she does.
(although I shouldn’t-I always root for the loser in the end-so better switch to Close?)
And she still has the monomentrum incl. BP nom, she doesn’t need BAFTA or Globe. Halle Berry didn’t have that either the year she won.
She will win and watch Meryl be the first to stand up applauding her.
@ Sasha,
I don’t want to make a comment about who should win and why but your attitude toward Streep this whole season is UGLY. If you read your own comments, they’re UGLY. To me they are. And they’re disrespectful. And Streep will be the first to cheer and applaud Viola Davis. Streep was the first to repeat that Davis is a great actor and needs more roles. And deserves them. So your attitude is absolutely DISGUSTING.
“I don’t want to make a comment about who should win and why…”
Zooey,
In fact, you should stick to comments about who should win and why. I advise you do that, ok?
Is this how you get your way in real life? When things don’t suit your expectations, you walk up to casual acquaintances and tell them they’re ugly and disgusting? How’s that working out for you?
I’d never single you out and call you a thoughtless, oafish, badgering nag — even if those terms are mild next to ‘disgusting’ and even if they describe your attitude perfectly.
@ Sel
Berinale was referenced on this site in 2011 and 2010.
@Cinesnatch: Why not this year? How do I have to understand your comment?
I really enjoyed these interview snippets. Thanks for sharing them. I especially appreciated the discussion about whether they even had a glass let alone it being half full/empty — that’s a view I’ve never considered. I took note of how this Oscar zeigeist for all three was a moment to be completely embraced and savored by them because who knows if it would ever come their way again. Hopefully, it will. As a lifetime fan of Streep (I saw KvK on opening day) I never really get this level of pure amazement and joy and maybe that has something to do with the endless nominations (Oscar) and no wins for 30 years–she must feel a bit jaded. Even so, Streep herself has stated on multiple occasions that whenever we see her getting an award or doing an interview or just being spotted in public she is acting. (I was disappointed to hear that from her as it makes me, as a fan, feel not valued by her — not that I need an autograph or pic or anything but I do spend my money to watch her films). So all of that said I found the emotion from Viola and Octavia to be lovely, genuine, refreshing and without agenda.
@Renae: I think this is typical american to love “emotions”. What Davis and Spencer do is just business. This is acting too. People should love them, vote for them and that´s why they crying etc.
It gets really on my nerves, when I watch Award Shows and the acceptance speeches turns into a “sea of tears”. They always thanks their dogs, houskeepers, nannys etc.(don´t take this phrase to seriously).
I think you know what I mean.
Maybe that´s the difference between Europeans and Americans.
“Streep herself has stated on multiple occasions that whenever we see her getting an award or doing an interview or just being spotted in public she is acting.”
Really? Do you have an example of this?
@ Ryan,
first of all, I don’t want to include Viola Davis in my comments. I don’t insult her. I don’t deny her the right to do any interview she’d like to. I’m perfectly fine with her winning and decided not to comment about how deserving she is. I won’t do it because I decided not to.
I don’t call anybody anything. I comment about Sasha’s approach – because she’s the one who calls Streepers names. I didn’t call her anything. I commented on the way she behaves.
And third, just a little comment. Why didn’t anybody on this site reacts to people calling Thomas Horn names (I remember a Thomasita Horn mention that wasn’t edited) but it’s a problem when people comment on The Help? Just answer that. Or no, don’t answer it.
Awards Daily is a blog full of passion, full of discussions, with some great reviews. As an informative blog, In Contention is clearly better. That`s why I read both: they are complementary.
“I’d never single you out and call you a thoughtless, oafish, badgering nag — even if those terms are mild next to ‘disgusting’ and even if they describe your attitude perfectly.”
And Ryan,
implying that somebody IS anything is what is ugly and not something to be tolerated. A certain way of behavior can be expressed and even if somebody finds it’s not the truth it’s ethically okay to do it. To call somebody something ISN’T.
Yay. My comment was quoted.
I just said that I noticed it as well. Saying that I noticed it does not necessarily imply unnecessary whining. Some of the supposedly implied statements doesn’t follow.
What Davis and Spencer do is just business. This is acting too.
I’m glad I’m not this cynical.
Meryl Streep is happy to admit she’s acting every time we see her on camera, whether in movies or standing at an awards podium. If that’s how she chooses to deal with the constant pressure of being in the spotlight, if that’s how she keeps her private feelings private, that’s fine with me.
It’s naive and a little absurd to think every actor has the same style, attitude and method of coping. Simple-minded to assume that actors don’t have a range of temperaments and various kinds of comfort zones.
Living is acting. Because, in essence, our behavior is our act. Do your friends, parents, coworkers “act” the same way? Reveal their emotions to the same degree? Do none of them have any control over their public persona, or do we all show the world what we want the world to see?
I’m just so sick of all the amateur psychoanalysis that we see every year — and this year is worse than ever. We don’t know these people. Each of them is allowing us to get to know them, each on her own terms.
It’s coarse and hateful to suggest that anybody who cries in public is trying to manipulate us into liking them.
If a willingness to open up and share a moment of genuine emotion is an American thing (and I don’t believe it is), then it’s one of the rare advantages Americans have over people (from wherever) who keep their feelings sealed away, corked and bottled up.
Anyway, wolf, you’re wrong. European actors like Dujardin and Cotillard are plenty gushy and weepy at the microphone whenever they want to be.
Zooey,
97% of your comments are fine. They’re great. That’s the reason your crude gripe isn’t erased. Plus, we don’t want to deal with you crying like you did here:
I did you a favor that night and restored the comment you were moaning about. You’ve been enjoying the freedom of Sasha’s site for weeks. You’ve written over 250 comments and never once have I seen you thank Sasha for the opportunity she provides you to come share your thoughts.
Today you did. You want to say what you think is ugly and disgusting, then I’m telling you what I think is thoughtless badgering.
Isn’t this tons of fun. Just stop it, ok?
What the fuck? The comments are not here to be a Suggestion Box.
Do you know how to use email? Have a complaint? Write to me. Don’t prance around waving a protest banner.
Umn, I think it’s a bit unfair to say (and I mean it for both actresses of course), they’re acting when they win awards.
They are actresses, yes and both are great ones, but they have private feelings and joy, happiness, shock, gratefulness…. all of these feelings can easily come out immediately when you win something, expected or not. Emotions are really strong in some situations.
I pretty sure Meryl was shocked to win the Drama Globe, but expected to win the BAFTA. Same goes with Viola being surprised winning the Critics Choice and winning the SAG, because she knew Meryl has paved the way for her for that award three years ago. But even without her, Viola would still have won anyway.
Ryan: I haven’t seen Jean Dujardin crying at an award show or an interview yet. But if you have a clip of that, I think more than one here will love to know the link.
I would LOVE to see it (I think I’m in love with him, so…). Hahaha.
@Ryan Adams: No, this is different to Europeans and it is not hateful! The Academy Award thing is a huge business, I hope you agree with that. Everybody in my surroundings thinks the same, when it comes to these award shows. The thing with the overwhelming emotions I can only see on american award shows. And Dujardin and Cotillard are actors and they can “act” on stage even if they “only” take their award.Sure, there are emotions, but sometimes I think they are too extreme. And nearly every person I know thinks the same that it is “kitsch”.
Sel,
I tried to say gushy/weepy. Dujardin acts like he’s overcome with emotion. Pretty sure he’s doing a lot of acting at the podium — and why not? Is it just the crying that bothers people?
And by the way, this shows are really entertaining, because there happen sometimes “funny” things, which are laughable! Roberto Benigni for example! He was just totally happy! And I would like to see more of this. That actors just are happy and don´t burst into tears. This is getting boring, people.
I think acting on stage is something like a shield for them.
Berinale was referenced on this site in 2011 and 2010.
Sel, Cinesnatch, branz, all the other avid fans of Berlinale
We ‘reference’ Berlinale every year — when Berlinale announces the winners in competition.
good lord, I featured a giant 1000-word item about Meryl Streep winning the honorary honey bear — on January 2.
(branz, you commented on that news.)
We covered it already.
I’m pretty sure we can all agree that every actor accepting any award for anything will have a little bit of an act involved in their acceptance speech. But when Dujardin says he did not expect this, or Davis says she loves the actors, or Streep says she’s grateful for this honor etc….all those things are true, why wouldn’t they be?
It only comes to how you handle yourself on the podium/interviews etc. and if you can compose your emotions to talk about what’s important and serious to you. Halle Berry breaking down when she said “this moment is so much bigger than I am” is completely understandable but I can see how Excessive crying can bother people. Especially because these people are actors, extremely rich, used to the game and so on.
Aha, but you would feature it again, if it wouldn´t be Streep.
We should close this “case”. As I said it before, this blog supports Viola Davis, O.K.
And it´s not surprising that some Streep-Fans are “angry” in their comments, because of the tone of some statements. If it would be the other way around, I think many Davis-Fans would be angry too.
@wolf
Well, teary speeches are mostly given by actresses… I don’t know why.
Maybe it’s just true that women can burst into tears more esily than men.
(not deniying that they could too)
Meryl rarely gave a weeping speech, didn’t she? The Comedy Globe speech for J&J was a little teary, but….
“And by the way, this shows are really entertaining, because there happen sometimes “funny” things, which are laughable! Roberto Benigni for example! He was just totally happy! And I would like to see more of this. That actors just are happy and don´t burst into tears. This is getting boring, people.”
Oh man, please no more Benigni routines! I thought he demonstrated some of the most blatant “acting” out of any winner I’ve ever seen–only to me he came across as buffoonish and irritating rather than infectious.
@Sonja: I can remember Halle Berrys speech. That speech was extreme!
Aha, but you would feature it again, if it wouldn´t be Streep.
erg, ok. If we can find out in which of her trophy caverns Meryl stashes her Golden Bear, we’ll post a photo of that.
Ryan,
Sel suggested that the Berlinale may not be important to this site and I referenced two years that it was covered. I wasn’t aware of 2012, but you can add it to my comment, if you like.
Cinesnatch, no problem.
You’re on the right side of the issue. Thanks.
@wolf
Yes, I remember that too.
It was extreme, but it was a very special moment too.
She was the first black actress to win in lead.
I do think Viola’s speech will be very emotional, but not on that level.
Oh, Sonja, please, please, if you are a Streep-Fan, stop this negative thinking! It doesn´t help you or Streep or any other person. I know your reasons why you thinking like this.
Oh wolf, I wish I could….
But I’m prepared seeing her losing again, so it won’t hurt anymore.
It helps that it’s at least to someone deserving this time.
“I do think Viola’s speech will be very emotional, but not on that level.”
Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves here
… but you’re probably right.
Ryan, correct me if I’m wrong, but is the fact that Meryl has so many awards (mostly GGs and SAGs) the reason why this site claims that the last thing she needs is more publicity? I only ask because this is the second time that I see you alluding to how many trophies she’s won, so I’m just trying to make a connection.
Sonja, I think all actresses are worth of an Oscar. This year. I will happy too, if it´s Glenn Close! That would be huge surprise and totally deserving.
@wolf
Well, I do think so too this year.
Yeah, that would be great seeing Glenn going up to the podium! Go Glenn!
But let’s be real.
Ryan, correct me if I’m wrong, but is the fact that Meryl has so many awards (mostly GGs and SAGs) the reason why this site claims that the last thing she needs is more publicity?
I’m not averse to publicity for Meryl Streep, but I’m just not too excited about one more honorary award on top of 50 others she has.
Here’s the thing, gang.
Last year’s Berlinale gave us our first look at A Separation. By any measure, it turned out to be one of the cinematic pinnacles of 2011
This year, Berlinale has a nearly silent b&w homage to Murnau’s Tabu called… Tabu. Which sounds to me far more interesting than this other nearly silent b&w movie I’m sick of writing about.
Ursula Meier’s ‘Sister’ (with Gillian Anderson)
Just the Wind (Hungarian film about Romany racism)
Jane Mansfield’s Car (dir: Billy Bob Thornton)
and what looks to be an absolute stunner: War Witch (about child soldiers in the Congo)
Movies like Barbara, Mercy, Meteora, Aujourd’hui, Caesar Must Die, Home for the Weekend — I’m following all of those. Trying to glean what’s worth writing about.
that’s what interests me about Berlinale — upcoming movies; not another lifetime career montage. As soon as the current highlights of the festival begin to come clear, I look forward to posting news about whatever titles we think we should keep an eye on this year.
I won’t count how many items about tribute awards for Meryl Streep I’ve seen posted here over the years. Feels like 100, and I’m somewhat over it, that’s all. We get it. Great actress. Yes. She appears to be much loved, yes yes. Brava! That’s not really big news to me.
@wolf: I’m Australian not American. My comment was strictly based on these video clips and nothing further … I was simply stating I enjoyed their joy and emotion in these clips. It felt very genuine to me.
@nik grape: Meryl referenced her “acting” during interviews and acceptance speeches in both her Barnard commencement speech and, if I recall, during her interview with Jane Pauley at Indiana State University (could have the name of the school wrong). That is not to say she doesn’t feel true genuine pleasure and joy when she does win. I merely repeated comments she made herself regarding this matter. And as the private person she is she is certainly entitled but I’d rather not know/think she’s putting on an act. And, honestly, I think she may have been a little dramatic when she made those claims. Just my thoughts.
And just for the record I’m cheering for Streep’s performance this year. Though Viola runs a very very close second, in my opinion.
“I won’t count how many items about tribute awards for Meryl Streep I’ve seen posted here over the years. Feels like 100, and I’m somewhat over it, that’s all.”
On account of my fresh eyes, I had no idea her tribute awards made up so many articles here. Since that’s the case, that’s a fair point and I can understand the drowning effect it can have on the editor/creator here.
@Renae: OK, thanks, I’ll seek those out. I’m very curious because I always find her acceptance speeches genuine but like I said before, every actor will put a little act in their speech. I would hope she didn’t literarlly mean that she feigns appreciation or is acting when she is praising the other women in her category and outside of it. Nice to hear you’re rooting for her
@Nik Grape: this is a few years old but one GG and one BAFTA can be added. Granted it doesn’t include her lifetime achievement awards but interesting just the same:
http://floorbarker.wordpress.com/2009/12/18/meryl-streep-and-her-trophy-case-redux/
And I do believe Meryl’s very genuine in her support of women in her craft. And I do feel her joy at their success is unbridled.
Oh my, and still 9 days to go …
Anyway, I was just in the neighbourhood to add Michelle Pfeiffer to the list of possible supporting contenders next year for Dark Shadows. If the movie is a hit and it’s not as annoying as Alice in Wonderland, playing a bitch (I have no idea, just based on the photos) may pay off for a more than overdue actress. Fingers crossed. If she gets nominated next year, I promise I’ll be as annoying and repetitive as… during all the voting period.
Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
I’ve always had the deepest respect for Viola Davis. I just don’t think she gave the best performance of the year. And the tone of her campaign troubles me.
Your comment, Sasha, strikes me as Stalinist.
– Sasha: Moreover, bashing Viola Davis is absolutely off limits.
– Byron Gray: Your comment, Sasha, strikes me as Stalinist.
right, that bleeding-heart Stalin, what a dick he was, always sticking up for black women.
Your reaction, Byron Gray, strikes me as Kafkaesque.
Now your turn to tell me I’m being Orwellian.
Sasha can tell us both we’re being, I dunno — Greco-Roman?
Then I’ll lose my shit altogether and accuse Oprah of being Satanic.
hysterically extremist enough for you?
This is getting exhausting. Davis and Streep are both phenomenal actors. As a famous casting director once said, “Don’t worry. The curtain will rise and someone will be there.”
A measure of extremism, Ryan, is prohibiting any discussion whatsoever about a person or subject.
prohibiting any discussion whatsoever about a person or subject.
that doesn’t happen here.
yeesh, “Stalinist”
unless you’re on a train to Siberia, relax.
Well…I think ALL 5 nominees would be deserving winners (and I rarely think that), and even though, I am definitely rooting for Viola Davis, I could be happy for any one of those ladies : Meryl Streep, who could FINALLY win her third; Glenn Close, who could finally win her FIRST (travesty); Michelle Williams, who quietly became one of the most interesting/talented/brilliant actresses of her generation and excelled the role of a true American CINEMATIC (!) icon; and Rooney Mara, who exceeded my wildest expectations and delivered one of the most memorable female performances of 2011.
I LOVED these 5 performances…the sole reason I can’t jump on the Streep-bandwagon, is that I REALLY didn’t like ‘The Iron Lady’ and I firmly believe it would be below her to win her long-awaited third Oscar for a film that would be probably remembered as one of the worst films that received a Best Actress Oscar…and I am rooting for Viola Davis because A) I consider her performance Oscar-worthy B) I genuinely believe she IS one of the greatest Oscarless actresses today…Hollywood failed to put her remarkable acting talent to good use, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t one of the best…it means she simply didn’t get opportunities she most certainly should have.
Why isn´t anyone talking about Jonah Hill? I know he’s not much loved here, but I thought he gave a great low key performance, he just happens to be in company of four amazing actors and getting criticized for it. In my opinion, he deserved to be there.
@milyyorke
I think ‘Moneyball’ was an excellent film with an excellent screenplay. I also think Brad Pitt gave a brilliant, understated performance…having said that, I don’ get Jonah Hill’s hype. In my opinion, he gave a perfectly acceptable performance…no more, no less. I don’t think it was anything special and I REALLY don’t think it Oscar-worthy. I’ve seen the film three times now, and I just simply don’t get how he pulled off the Oscar nomination. I could not find ONE moment of that performance that was even a little challenging OR required serious acting chops, and frankly I think it is frustrating that he sailed through to the top5 without a hitch, meanwhile (IMO) outstanding supporting turns failed to gain much traction during the whole season.
Fantastic actors EXCELLED iconic roles in 2011 (Ben Kingsley as Georges Méliès, Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, Alan Rickman as Snape, Viggo Mortensen as Freud, Corey Stoll as Hemingway), not to mention Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life), Christoph Waltz (Carnage), John Hawkes (Martha Marcy May Marlene), George Clooney (The Ides of March), Tom Hollander (Hanna), Tom Hardy (OR basically anyone from ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’), Tom Hiddleston (War Horse OR Midnight in Paris), Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse OR Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin), Stellan Skarsgard (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Albert Brooks (Drive), Patton Oswalt (Young Adult), Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes).
Jonah Hill is young and it’s great that after establishing himself in comedies, he found success in a drama, good for him…he delivered a good performance…my problem is that there were A LOT of GREAT male supporting turns last year and those were ignored, meanwhile Hill got in EASILY.