Or rather, April Wheeler vs. Hanna Schmitz. Defamer has the news via a brief snippet from Variety that the beleaguered Weinstein Company is seeking a December release for The Reader. This would create a head-on category-collision issue for Kate Winslet whose role in Revolutionary Road is also expected to be a strong contender.
After a successful screening in New York of The Reader, the Weinstein Co. has decided to release the film for Oscar contention this year. …
[G]iven the strong reaction to the test screening, the Weinstein Co. has decided to go full throttle on securing a release date and mobilizing the marketing materials.
Defamer scoffs, because that’s their job:
We can’t say we’re holding our breath, but along with Revolutionary Road, [Scott] Rudin’s got both of Winslet’s Oscar turns for ’08 ‚Äî plus a wealth of Minghella/Pollack memorial goodwill to spare within the Academy. It’s a no-brainer, but still ‚Äî is this the same “full throttle” that so, ahem, mobilized the Weinsteins’ Grace is Gone and Factory Girl? And who would survive a New Year’s death-match between Harvey and Rudin if the throttle dies, anyway? So many questions!
I don’t want to think about the death match. So here’s another question: Although she’s the central character, Hanna Schmitz inhabits a relatively small page-count in the novel. Might Kate Winslet conceivably be considered in the supporting actress category for The Reader?