It's been taking a bit longer for me to watch and review movies than I initially thought, but some of that is due to being busy. Once I watch a few and get in the groove I start knocking out the categories pretty quickly. Bear with me. Part of doing the most recent years first allows me to automatically know which movies/performances I think are going to be tough to make it through. I'm excited for when I start getting into years I don't exactly know much about the movies/performances so I keep a fresh perspective. I really think this is the reason for the lack of consistent posts and the slow nature of my writing stuff out and posting them. The first time I watched Changeling I had to slog through it because it never really captivated me or made me want to keep watching let alone finish it. And that was back before the idea for this blog even came about, back when I was only trying to watch them all and not write about them. Now with trying to objectively watch without instantly saying a film is terrible or not fully paying attention becomes a chore for the ones I have already seen and not enjoyed. So definitely when I finally get into films I haven't seen or heard much about I think the pace will pick up (hopefully) since everything will be fresh. Of course, I'll eventually run into the problem of having to find ways to watch movies that doesn't take forever due to waiting on rentals to come in the mail or hard to find copies. Anyway, enough rambling and on to the Actresses! (forgive the terrible writing, also!)
2008 Best Actress
Kate Winslet - The Reader
Let's start with the fact that the first half of this film is mostly an adolescent German skin flick. Winslet is naked for most of the first third of the film and there is really no character development besides that she's a bossy, illiterate, Nazi. And that is the big revelation for the movie. Winslet and her boy toy have a tumultuous love affair that ends abruptly and then we see how Michael deals with it in the subsequent years. However, he never fully heals and eventually witnesses his lover on trial for war crimes and then can't function normally as a man. For Winslet, she succeeds in the beginning of the film when she is able to portray a woman who wants to be loved but is unable to give love in return. When they boy wants to love her she rebels and comes up with excuses that allows her to remain aloof and disconnected. Eventually she is put on trial and turns into an old lady. However, I hate her expression of surprise and shock. Her breathy gasps and wide eyed look is quite annoying and that may be superficial but Winslet's character never seems to get past that superficial phase for me, especially towards the end of the film. She plays the serious part a little too serious.
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
This film felt like a coming out party for Hathaway. After years of toiling in Disney movies, the role of Kym gave her a performance she could sink her teeth into. And sink her teeth into she did. Playing Kym, a recovering addict who has spent the last 9 months in rehab who has come home to be there for her sister's wedding, the character almost allows for Hathaway to indulge in a bit of overacting. There are definite times where her neurotic, chain smoking, talkative, sarcastic yet sincere look-at-me persona should be toned down and becomes more grating than adding anything to story. The film itself tackles how dysfunctional a family can be while still remaining a close family. Kym can't stand that her sister Rachel is getting all of the attention and so there are a lot of moments where Hathaway whines, pouts, acts inappropriately, and generally causes chaos. What makes Hathaway's performance compelling and worthy of attention is that she is able to not get caught up in the moment and chew the scenery every time she's on camera. You can really see the transition to becoming a serious actress for Hathaway in this strong performance.
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
No subtlety, no depth, it's a superficial portrayal that does nothing to rescue a sub par script and it becomes very evident that Jolie's performance is wholly a one-note thing betrayed by Eastwood's directing ability. It's a supremely average take on a woman whose son was taken from her only to have a boy thrust on her by the LAPD who wasn't her son. It's a performance that offers little nuance, little believability. Some of the more compelling parts of the film are when Jolie isn't even in them, not to say this film is in anyway good, however. Amy Ryan actually outshines Jolie as a psychiatric patient in my opinion and I can't help but think that if this film focused on the murder portion of Jolie's son and the serial killer angle that maybe, just maybe, the film would have worked far better and Jolie's effort would have been rewarded in the Supporting Actress category instead. Focusing on her makes me wonder why the Academy sought to reward such a mediocre performance with a nomination until one looks at the 2008 class as a whole....not much there unfortunately.
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
This is a very gritty, non-glamorous role that Leo gives her all in. She brings a humanistic quality to Ray Eddy, a mother of two that is doing everything she can to provide for her kids and survive on the border with Canada. The performance is very real and authentic and I can easily see Leo as this mother who eventually finds herself smuggling humans into the US as one of her last options of maintaining a somewhat normal life. She's a good person deep down and even throws out a Pakistani's duffel bag because she thinks it could have poison gas (not realizing what was actually inside) and she stands up for herself and her Native American partner when they are being short changed. However, there are a few scenes where the writing and directing don't allow Leo to give her best and it ultimately keeps this film from becoming anything more than the low budget, first time directing piece it really is. When Leo is able to showcase her talents, she is really something to see but unfortunately through no fault of her own, the viewer isn't able to witness this from start to finish.
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Another year, another solid Streep performance. I'd be annoyed if her 16 nominations and counting were mostly based off reputation, but she turns in fantastic performances with regularity and maybe that expectation keeps her from actually winning more than 2 awards. As if the Academy and the voters acknowledge her ability without really looking at her performances as anything more than just another Streep nomination before handing the award to someone else. In saying that, her performance in Doubt as a headmaster at a Catholic school is a really solid and fantastic turn. I really can believe Streep could be an old crotchety, nun/principal that is a stickler for the rules. This quality is highlighted with Streep's subdued acting while trying to find out about Hoffman's possible indiscretions with a young boy. She adheres to the rules and would never accuse someone of anything without being absolutely sure. The main theme of Doubt can be seen in Streep's inner turmoil as she struggles with believing the priest could do such a thing and then how she can help the church/get rid of Hoffman. Her doubt and eventual realization are a real treat to watch her explore on screen and makes for a very nuanced and great performance.
I wouldn't exactly say this is a strong group, at least in my opinion. Streep delivers yet another great performance and would have been my winner. However, as far as Streep performances go, I don't think this one is as strong as she has shown in the past. I think Leo's performance was hampered by a script and director that never found their voice. Hathaway gave a strong performance that really didn't get me all that excited for her to be included, but at least it seems the Academy was able to take some chances on the two actresses. Which I think is key for years like this where no one really stands out as the best and there is no sure thing front runner. I also can't help but think that Jolie's nomination and Winslet's win were due to producers or studio heads who campaigned for them. Jolie's inclusion has me scratching my head because I didn't think there was anything noteworthy about it and I feel Winslet's win may be because of the Weinstein effect and possibly her having 2 performances that could have made the Best Actress list and was thus a win for the 2 combined. Really it was a less than stellar group that I'm glad to be finally done with!
Oscar Winner: Kate Winslet - The Reader
My Winner: Meryl Streep - Doubt
Melissa Leo
Anne Hathaway
Kate Winslet
Angelina Jolie
