In the Best Actress Corner of the Ring

Best Actress has and always will be one of my most favorite categories in any given awards ceremony. If I had to put a finger on why, I think I would say their jobs are a little more difficult than that of a man’s. One cannot simply ignore the male dominance in our world, not that I am some crazy person upholding feminist, but it is a truth. It is true when it comes to who makes more money, who holds more authority, and so on and so forth, all the way up to awards. How am I coming to this conclusion when discussing awards? Well, it all started long ago when The Academy was created by men, 77% of The Academy today is made up of men. These men like to nominate a lot of the same women over and over, they generally like to have their women younger than 40 years old, and they usually are white.

Just to prove my point, let’s look at the best actress nominees in just the last 10 years alone:

(at time of ceremony *indicates winner of year **indicates previous winner ***indicates multiple winner)

2003

Charlize Theron*-28, white, South African

Keisha Castle-Hughes- 13, white, New Zealand

Diane Keaton**- 57, white, American

Samatha Morton- 26, white, English

Naomi Watts- 35, white, British-Australian

2004

Hilary Swank**-30, white, American

Annette Bening- 46, white, American

Imelda Staunton- 48, white, English

Kate Winslet -29, white, English

Catalina Sandino Moreno-23, Colombian

2005

Reese Witherspoon*-29, white, American

Felicity Huffman-42, white, American

Judi Dench**-70, white, English

Keira Knightley -20, white, English

Charlize Theron**-30, white, South African

2006

Helen Mirren*-61, white, English

Judi Dench**-71, white, English

Penelope Cruz-32, Spanish

Meryl Streep***-57, white, American

Kate Winslet -31, white, English

2007

Marion Cotillard*-32, French

Cate Blanchett**-38, white, Australian

Julie Christie**-64, white, English

Laura Linney-43, white, American

Ellen Page -20, white, American

2008

Kate Winslet*-33, white, English

Angelina Jolie** -33, white, American

Meryl Streep***-59, white, American

Anne Hathaway-26, white, American

Melissa Leo-48, white, American

2009

Sandra Bullock*-45, white, American

Meryl Streep***-60, white, American

Helen Mirren**-64, white, English

Gabourey Sidibe-26, African-American

Carey Mulligan-24, white, English

2010

Natalie Portman*-29, white, Israeli-American

Annette Bening-52, white, American

Nicole Kidman**-43, white, Australian

Jennifer Lawrence -20, white, American

Michelle Williams-30, white, American

2011

Meryl Streep*-62, white, American

Viola Davis- 46, African-American

Glen Close-64, white, American

Michelle Williams-31, white, American

Rooney Mara-26, white, American

2012

Jennifer Lawrence*-22, white, American

Jessica Chastain- 35, white, American

Emmanuelle Riva- 86, French

Quvenzhane Wallis-9, African-American

Naomi Watts- 45, white, British-Australian

Now you may be thinking, why did any of that matter? Well, because the age of the actress/ winner is generally less than 40 years old, white, and most of them had been previously nominated. Women over 40 have a harder time getting noticed and more importantly winning, where a man at any age can get attention. There are becoming fewer and fewer great roles for women. So, it is important to know the facts and history to better discuss the present.

This year the likely nominees are pictured above: Cate Blanchett, age 44 (Supporting Oscar 2004), Sandra Bullock, age 49 (Lead Oscar 2009), Emma Thompson, age 54  (Lead Oscar 1992, screenplay Oscar 1995), Meryl Streep, age 64 (Supporting Oscar 1979, Lead Oscar 1982 & 2011), Judi Dench, age 78 (Supporting Oscar 1998), and Amy Adams, age 39 (no Oscar, 4 previous supporting nominations).

The women being considered for Best Actress have all won an Oscar and all of them are over the age of 40, aside from Amy Adams, whose film has not yet been seen which makes her a tossup. The lineup for nominees in this category would make history! This also means that there could finally be good material for older women to come back and show that they still have what it takes. It is exciting!!! 

(Sidenote-I want to just point out, that to me, age and race do not matter; what matters is if the performance is worthy of a nomination and win. Unfortunately though it does matter, because it makes a difference in the minds of voters in The Academy.)

.....now we can get down to business.......

Of the ladies in discussion this year:

1.     Sandra Bullock in Gravity. This is the only performance I have seen thus far. I think she is worthy to be nominated and win, for her fearless and emotionally and physically challenging performance. She commanded an entire movie on her own. A woman. 49 years old. She ruled the box-office and showed the entire male dominated movies of the year how it is done. She is a class act, and I'm fully behind her nomination. I haven't decided if I will root for her all the way to the finish line, because I have yet to see the other performances, but no matter what, I will be okay to see her win again

2.     Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine. So far, she is the one to beat. Cate is the most predicted for the win according to many Oscar polling websites. From what I understand, her performance in Blue Jasmine is the performance of her career, and is being compared to that of Vivien Leigh in A Streetcar Named Desire. That alone is saying a lot, but her character is not a likable one, which could be against her. 

3.     Emma Thompson is back! Finally, after so many years of being left in the wind, it is refreshing to see her getting such acclaim for her performance in Saving Mr. Banks. Emma is probably the most lovable person that will be nominated this year, and she is playing the author of Mary Poppins in the biopic of how Walt Disney gained the rights to make the film version of the book. If the movie is well loved, than Emma will be a force to be reckoned with.   

4.     Meryl Streep in August Osage County. Well, it is Meryl Streep. She keeps out- doing herself year after year. People love her, but the Academy loves her more. Her performance is said to be great, but the thing that could be against her is that she is not doing any campaigning. I think she is embarrassed that she keeps being nominated. BUT, again I say.....it is Meryl Streep. 

5.     Judi Dench in Philomena. Dame Judi is one of the most under rewarded actresses. Judi gets the sympathy vote this year. She is no longer able to read her own scripts and has to have her lines read to her so she can remember them. This also could be her last film role before she retires from acting. Her role is one that is heartfelt as she journeys across the country searching for her son she gave up for adoption after giving birth. If they want to give the Dame a Lead Oscar that she deserved long ago, this could be their last chance. Also she has Harvey Weinstein on her side. 

6.     Amy Adams in American Hustle. No one has seen the film, but so far the director, David O. Russell, has not missed a beat in his last couple of films. He got Jennifer Lawrence her Oscar last year, along with 3 other actors nominated in Silver Linings Playbook; and Melissa Leo and Christian Bale in the Fighter, along with a nomination for Adams herself. Adams is a great actress, one worthy to have an Oscar.I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that she may go supporting, instead of leading. Hopefully this movie can get her a first time Lead nomination, and if she is good enough, maybe the win! 

There are other actresses who could surprise, but as of now, these are the ladies to watch. In the next few weeks the critics will start announcing who they think is best, followed by the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations in the middle of December. So, hold on tight. Go catch some of these movies as they hit theatres. It only goes downhill from here. Soon, we will know more about who the “women to beat” actually are, instead of speculating....but I think I am on the right track :)