23 Responses for "The Oscars and the Nobel"

1. Ryan Adams October 11th, 2009 at 1:39 pm 1

   Even if Marisa Tomei had never done another movie, she had the female lead role in My Cousin Vinny, as important as any other character, and she owned the entire 3rd Act. She makes a silly movie watchable and rewatchable.

   My Cousin Vinny – Marisa Tomei
   Damage – Miranda Richardson
   Enchanted April – Joan Plowright
   Howards End – Vanessa Redgrave
   Husbands and Wives – Judy Davis

   Those are the Best Supporting Actress nominees from 1992. I can vaguely recall Vanessa Redgrave (and looking forward to the Criterion blu-ray of Howard’s End on November 3, because it’s been years since I’ve seen it.) But in hindsight is there any doubt that Marisa Tomei gave the most memorable performance?

   It’s easily right up there with Billie Judy Holliday’s classic turn in Adams Rib — with 5 times more screen time.

   Joe Scarborough is the essence of glib and facile; a smartass know-nothing posing as a know-it-all.

2. Ryan Adams October 11th, 2009 at 2:10 pm 2

   “It’s also interesting to note that the Oscars are thought of, more than any other award, as being political, even when they’re being non-political.”

   Movies themselves are such a vivid reflection of the political climate, whether deliberately overt (Dr. Strangelove), or implied (There will Be Blood). Sometimes the political message is organic (Frozen River), and sometimes completely subconscious (The Wizard of Oz).

   Movies that don’t have cultural or political relevance seldom win Oscars.

   An article in Salon this weekend suggests that zombie movies are political:

   On Wall Street, we have zombie executives — those who destroyed the economy but nonetheless kept their same jobs and now continue paying themselves huge bonuses. At the White House, President Obama hired zombie advisors whose zombie economic ideologies and records manufacturing recession conditions should have killed their careers, but who now sit in high government office letting out moans in support of the zombie banks.

   On Capitol Hill, the scene this Halloween season looks like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. Decrepit zombie politicians with the funk of 40,000 years stalk Congress with the very zombie lobbyists that the election was said to disempower. Lately, they are working in tandem to construct zombie health insurance companies — for-profit corporations eternalized by public subsidies, customer mandates and almost no regulation or competition. At the same time, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that should have already concluded keep plodding on with an unchanging zombie strategy — all while media zombies push zombie myths about death panels and birth certificates, effectively feasting on the last functioning lobes of the American brain.

3. limeymcfrog October 11th, 2009 at 3:53 pm 3

   I’m with Ryan on this one. Mona Lisa Vito has become a borderline iconic comic performance… When will people take comedy seriously?

   There are plenty of Best Supporting Actress wins that are far more questionable than Tomei’s.

   Jennifer Hudson is the first that comes to mind.
   Catherine Zeta-Jones
   Jennifer Connelly
   Kim Basinger

   All of those names are more recent, relevant, and deserving of awards scorn.

4. Yvette October 11th, 2009 at 4:09 pm 4

   Ryan,

   I think that Joe Scarborough’s reaction is disgusting and immature. I think Marisa Tomei is a beautiful and talented actress.

   I watch ‘Howards End’ at least twice a month and have been for many years. It is one of the most beautiful movies ever. However, Vanessa Redgrave’s part is my least favorite in the movie. Thanks for the heads-up about it coming out on Blu-ray.

5. Bill S. October 11th, 2009 at 4:15 pm 5

   I have to say I liked Chicago a lot and thought CZJ did an excellent job and a center point for the movie deserved the award (though I’m with you on the others, Limeyfrog!)

   And I think it’s not just that people thought Tomei’s win for a comedy was unworthy, but that people were actively promoting the vile rumor that she didn’t actually win it — I think Rex Reed may still be promoting the idea that Vanessa Redgrave truly won it.

   Speaking of which, Ryan, I just recently saw Howard’s End again and it mildly bored me the same way it did in ‘92. Redgrave is a fine actress but her role isn’t in any way as memorable as Tomei’s

6. Aleksis October 11th, 2009 at 4:17 pm 6

   Undoubtedly that award belonged to Miranda Richardson – for individual performance and her absolutely stunning output in that one year (Damage, The Crying Game, Enchanted April). One of the biggest robberies of all time.

7. Mark Maiden October 11th, 2009 at 4:18 pm 7

   Um… Judy Holliday in Adam’s Rib?

   Marisa deserved it, and keeps on deserving it with her great work.

8. OscarMovieBuff84 October 11th, 2009 at 4:35 pm 8

   LOL and when you’re talking about an Oscar really the only thing getting voted on is that one performance, sure politics about veteran actors and previous snubs always get thrown in.

   To be honest who the hell was Marion Cotillard prior to La Vie en Rose?

9. taptup October 11th, 2009 at 4:45 pm 9

   I agree with Aleksis. It was Miranda Richardson’s Oscar (and I love Marisa Tomei, but…)

10. Ryan Adams October 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm 10

    oops, thanks Mark Maiden.
    I’m suffering from Hollidaze.

    Billie would’ve rocked in Adam’s Rib though.

11. Ryan Adams October 11th, 2009 at 4:52 pm 11

    Yvette,

    Criterion polled blu-ray buyers on Amazon, asking which of these titles they’d most like to see released next:

    Au Revoir Les Enfants
    Down By Law
    Howards End
    Kwaidan
    Picnic at Hanging Rock

    Howard’s End won, but I hope they get around to all of them eventually.

12. Yvette October 11th, 2009 at 5:03 pm 12

    Ryan,

    All GREAT movies. Thanks again dear

13. JR October 11th, 2009 at 5:20 pm 13

    Out of topic but I read that The Last Station has a December 23rd release date.

    PS: I also read that A Single Man is set for December 4th.

14. DBibby October 11th, 2009 at 5:42 pm 14

    Thank you Aleksis and taptup- Miranda Richardson’s performance in Damage was devastating and she deserved to win for it. The scene in the kitchen alone! That said, Marisa’s win was more deserving than many that have come since. It’s a wonderful performance from a talented actress.

15. JR October 11th, 2009 at 6:02 pm 15

    I love Tomei’s win for My Cousin Vinny. I think she deserved it. Miranda Richardson was good but her performance isn’t as memorable as Tomei’s. Judy Davis was actually winning most of the awards but most people thought Joan Plowright was gonna take it. Some people even said that Jack Palance read the wrong name which I think is funny and BS. In any case, Tomei continues to deliver great work.

16. Ryan Adams October 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pm 16

    Damage is one those movies that is somehow allowed to exist on youtube in its entirety (though part 5 of 20 seems to be missing). I think this is Miranda Richardson’s kitchen scene you’re talking about, DBibby?

17. Cahiers October 11th, 2009 at 7:03 pm 17

    Judy Davis’ performance is rather great in Husbands and Wives, but I’m a big Allen fan.

    I’ve never seen My Cousin Vinny, and if I may, I’ll mention that because I’m in my early 20s, I never had any baggage with Tomei, and discovered her as a great actress in films like In the Bedroom, Factotum, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, and obviously The Wrestler. I’d only know her as the punchline to jokes and her episode of Seinfeld growing up, but I didn’t understand her negative baggage when I finally saw her in films.

18. Roger October 11th, 2009 at 9:42 pm 18

    “It’s also interesting to note that the Oscars are thought of, more than any other award, as being political, even when they’re being non-political.”
    … I’m not sure we can fully agree with that statement. Perhaps the Oscars are “in principle” non-political but unfortunately there is always politics involved. One of the most flagrant example of this was when Academy voters opted for the politically correct & extremely preachy “Crash” for Best Picture instead of “Brokeback Mountain”, a true landmark film that had virtually won every Best Picture award prior to the Oscars. If that wasn’t political, I don’t know what is. That disgraceful upset was very disappointing. The Oscars have lost their relevance and a lot of credibility.

19. Stephen Holt October 11th, 2009 at 11:42 pm 19

    I’m happy to say that Marisa Tomei is a friend of mine and her work as an actress just grows and grows. She’s a VERY serious actress. She’s a fellow Member of the Actor’s Studio, something she’s very proud of.

    Any one who was lucky enough to see her ASTONISHING turn in “Top Girls” on Broadway the season before last would know that this young woman’s range is ENORMOUS.

    She played THREE different roles, British women of different ages,IN different ages, all totally convincingly. She was breathtaking.

    She also stunned as “Salome” in the Estelle Parson’s directed Actor’s Studio production of Oscar Wilde’s verse play starring Al Pacino as Herod. Also on Broadway.

    Yes, Marisa has her Oscar and will continue to have the last laugh on everyone that thinks it was a joke or a mistake.

    Interesting to note that it was also a first time nomination for a very young woman in her 20s and she won. Gwyneth Paltrow, too, lest me forget, AND Hilary Swank in “Boys Don’t Cry” as well as Audrey Hepburn and Julie Christie. Yes. I’m leading up to yet ANOTHER reason Carey Mulligan has a VERY good shot. First time is more often than not the charm for Mr. Oscar.

20. TVLuke October 12th, 2009 at 1:13 am 20

    I love how she goes “This is hypocritical, this is hypocritical…” in the back and nobody cares. ‘Morning’ Joe Scarborough is just so full of himself.

21. Pierre de Plume October 12th, 2009 at 1:09 pm 21

    Tomei’s Oscar victory was a surprise, for sure. She was an unknown actress in a light comedy competing with non-American heavyweights Plowright, the “luminous” Redgrave, the excellent Davis and the pedigreed Richardson.

    Nonetheless, I feel Tomei deserved her Oscar. Since then she has repeatedly demonstrated that she indeed is an acting heavyweight.

22. Sertan October 12th, 2009 at 9:13 pm 22

    I believe Marisa deserved her Oscar. and since then, she has been good in some other movies too. So i dont think it was one time thing!!!

    Also, nothing personal but giving the Prez a Nobel Peace Prize is like giving a movie Best movie oscar after seeing the trailer!!! Based only on the promise, not a full performance.. Too early

23. john October 13th, 2009 at 6:47 pm 23

    YEs, that win has aged a lot better than was expected at the time. It doesn’t hurt that she has racked up a pretty solid filmography in this decade. I’m sure that if some of the other people whose wins are seen as jokes could turn their careers around, people might remember that they actually liked the original winning performance.
    Given that these aren’t film folks, I found the Barack/Marisa comparison kind of funny. I’m big fans of them both, but maybe he is getting it a year too early, and surely she can take a joke. Joe stands up for Marisa in that charming movie, so good for him. (yeah, he’s glib and smartass, not a crime)
    I know we’re supposed to avoid politics, but you posted a lot more than the Marisa Tomei discussion, so I’ll comment. Right on, Joe. The behavior of certain people who claim to be conservative is ridiculous in the extreme. Good job calling them out, and not putting up with their ridiculous diatribes. Cartoon characters is about right.