Awards Nominations:
* Gotham Award Nominee
* Independent Spirit Award Nomination
* National Board of Review Nominee
* New York Film Critics Circle Award Nominee
* Los Angeles Film Critics Association Nominee
* Broadcast Film Critics Association Nominee
* Golden Globe Nominee
* Screen Actors Guild Nominee
* National Society of Film Critics Nominee
The Low Down:
What was originally expected to be a coronation for Glenn Close (finally!) has gotten a bit more interesting thanks to Venice, Telluride and Toronto. A Star is Born is the movie on everyone’s lips, and that’s largely in part to Lady Gaga’s performance. The film is expected to be a huge player across the board, which is something that can’t be said about Close’s film The Wife. Sony Pictures Classics is planning a Still Alice-esque campaign for Close, but a lot will depend on how in love the Academy is with Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut.
The Favourite, on the other hand, boasts three acclaimed performances from its three principle actresses. Olivia Coleman has gotten a head start by winning the Volpi Cup at Venice, but reports indicate Fox Searchlight is confused how to campaign Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. The film follows Stone’s arc, but Coleman looms the largest in the third act according to reviews which could help her case.
Nicole Kidman made a splash with Destroyer in what has been called the finest work of her career according to early reviews. Melissa McCarthy’s more dramatic performance in Can You Ever Forgive Me? has won the actress raves, and could see her returning to the Oscars for the first time since Bridesmaids. There’s still Viola Davis in Widows, Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns and Kiki Layne in Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk. And then there’s the question of Toni Collette, whose acclaimed performance in Hereditary may be able to overcome the Academy’s bias against horror films.
The Frontrunners:
- Glenn Close, The Wife
- Lady Gaga, A Star is Born
- Olivia Coleman, The Favourite
Coming on Strong:
- Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
- Viola Davis, Widows
- Nicole Kidman, Destroyer
Question Marks:
- Emma Stone, The Favourite
- Toni Collette, Hereditary
- Kiki Layne, If Beale Street Could Talk
- Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns
- Saoirse Ronan, Mary Queen of Scotts
- Julia Roberts, Ben is Back
