Oscar Index: So an Artist and a Horse Walk into a Bar...
The Leading 5:
1. Octavia Spencer, The Help
2. Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
3. Vanessa Redgrave, Coriolanus
4. Shailene Woodley, The Descendants
5. Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
Outsiders: Jessica Chastain, The Help; Sandra Bullock, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close; Jessica Chastain, Take Shelter; Jessica Chastain, The Tree of Life; Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids; Keira Knightley, A Dangerous Method; Judy Greer, The Descendants; Mia Wasikowska, Albert Nobbs; Emily Watson, War Horse; Marion Cotillard, Midnight in Paris
Another congested week in Supporting Actress commenced almost immediately after last Wednesday's Oscar Index, which Jeffrey Wells misread as being in the tank for Octavia Spencer. Which I guess is unacceptable? "All that matters is whether or not a supporting actress's performance has sunk in... period," Wells wrote. "Not if she's been charming or funny or histrionic or anguished, but whether you felt her soul or not." Huh. Speaking of "period," someone sure is on his!
For the thousandth time, you guys, these aren't my picks. I spend a lot of time parsing trends and perspectives (and then writing about them, God help me) in the hopes that readers might look past the pretty pictures for a fuller understanding of the awards race. With the exception of Jessica Chastain -- whose NYFCC win (for three films!) I am overjoyed for and most definitely yielded a bump -- I couldn't care less about any of the actresses listed above. I can't even get into the conversation about what Chastain should be nominated for if she's so fortunate. Take Shelter seems the likeliest strictly in campaign terms; The Help would put her up directly against Spencer, and Tree of Life would mean her campaigning opposite Fox Searchlight stablemate Woodley. But does it matter? Ultimately I'm with Kristopher Tapley: "It should be a no-brainer: The Help," by miles. Yet there's confusion. But whatever." Exactly! Just get her to the Kodak Theater on time, and everyone should be happy. Moving on...
The Leading 5:
1. Christopher Plummer, Beginners
2. Albert Brooks, Drive
3. Max von Sydow, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
4. Jonah Hill, Moneyball
5. Kevin Spacey, Margin Call
Outsiders: Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn; Corey Stoll, Midnight in Paris; Nick Nolte, Warrior; Patton Oswalt, Young Adult; Stanley Tucci, Margin Call; Jeremy Irons, Margin Call; Armie Hammer J. Edgar; Jim Broadbent, The Iron Lady; Viggo Mortensen, A Dangerous Method; John C. Reilly, Carnage; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Moneyball; Tom Hanks, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
True, Brooks had a much-needed strong showing with the NYFCC, while Hill stayed visible (see our Pitt anecdote above) and Branagh tumbled from the front of the pack and into the darkest, coldest recesses of his co-star's shadow. But nothing quite sums up the week in Supporting Actor -- hell, the week in allllll awardsdom -- quite like this Twitter exchange from the Gothams:
After 2 minutes of interneting, no connection between Corey Stoll and David Cronenberg has been found.
indiewire
@indiewire Sony Pictures Classics is promoting Corey Stoll as Ernest Hemingway in Midnight in Paris, why he introed tributee Cronenberg.
Anne Thompson
akstanwyck
You think? New Spirit Awards nominee Stoll is a comer, and quite possibly for real: Still pounding the pavement two months after speaking with Movieline, Sony Classics even managed to nab Midnight's Ernest Hemingway a plum spot narrating the authors' letters at an upcoming JFK Library reading/screening event. Of course, Stoll isn't close to threatening Plummer -- he's not even close to threatening Uggie -- but the way things are going, he might be this year's Jacki Weaver by the time January rolls around. Good for him.
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Comments
Why Jessica Chastain isn't a shoe-in for any of her three films this year is beyond me. Especially when she could easily replace someone like Shailene Woodley (who has an okay performance in an okay film).
Exactly, she was terrific in Take Shelter and should be nominated without question. And yes, The Descendants was good, but wildly overrated. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo also needs to be climbing the list.
Aw, S.T., I know you're right about how things work this way, but still, depressing.
One point I might differ on, though: I'm not convinced of the impact of the NY-based awards. I've seen friends win those but then get lost in the dust of larger engines -- even while maintaining the same level of events/activities/lunches/etc.
The Tree of Life didn't direct itself...Some critic group needs to get behind The Tree of Life...
I agree with your assessment of Shailene Woodley. She gave an okay performance that was not and is not worthy of Academy recognition. If anyone from The Descendants deserves a supporting actress nomination, it should be Judy Greer, who gave such an honest and wonderful performance.
Brad Pitt said "life is cyclical"? Just like that, without a script - and to a commoner! That´s like The King´s Speech, US edition, right?
Forget about Oscars, just give the man The Nobel Peace & Literature Prize.
Streep is now the frontrunner. I saw Week with Marilyn and she did nothing for me - where are the curves, the alluring sex appeal and all that made Marilyn the most desirable woman in the world. Have you seen the real Marilyn sing Heat Wave (saw it last night on TCM = WOW) Michelle may win a spirit award but she not going to win Oscar with that performance.
That Alan Rickman's iconic performance, which has moved so many millions and won critical praise from every reviewer, doesn't even get a mention as a possibility here, tells me all I need to know, and have always suspected about the Oscars... they really don't matter where it counts; with the real, everyday, movie-going public who will sit around in years to come lovingly, and sometimes fiercely, debating with friends about the best movie characters of all time and the actors that portrayed them so brilliantly.
I told a co-worker that Brad Pitt probably was going to win the Oscar next year. He asked if the War Horse could get nominated.
There's just no love for Brad at my workplace.