Monday, February 05, 2007

Best of 2006: Lead Actress



Predictably enough, I had even more than usual to say about my five Best Actress candidates. Amazingly, the only one of them who got any real awards-season play was Luminita Gheorghiu, whom the LAFC crowned as their Best Supporting Actress, earning my love but also stealing my damn thunder. It's a tremendous performance, but I feel sure that it's a lead. Agree or disagree, Lazarescu fans? And who's shocked (or pleased, or not, or indifferent) that, after a year of me flapping my mouth about Clean, Cheung didn't make the final five? I must admit, the picture wasn't everything I remembered it to be when I returned to it last week, though it's still mighty good.

Labels: ,

3 Comments:

Blogger tim r said...

Wonderful choices, a couple of which I'll certainly be echoing. I think you (and the film's running time) make a strong case for Gheorgiu as lead, though in a shorter film she'd be supporting. I revisited Clean too and can split the difference with you: I wasn't as baffled by Maggie, whose abrasive approach to the role is pretty brave, Nolte and the other supporting players remained excellent, and I still think the film is an uncomfortably jejune and self-conscious portrait of the music world. That Tricky business makes me cringe. Bening doesn't quite make my list, because I think she's much stronger in the first and last thirds of that film than she is in the Valium-addled middle one. To me, she seemed very uneasy tamping down her natural energy as an actress there. Love your write-ups for the others.

2:15 AM, February 05, 2007  
Blogger Glenn Dunks said...

I'm sure it's a nice list, but I haven't had the chance to see any of them (none of them have been released here yet which is very sad indeed).

I think only Dern has the slightest possibility to upseat Penelope Cruz as my #1... but, Cruz is so far in front...

2:55 AM, February 05, 2007  
Blogger NATHANIEL R said...

i missed two of these (lazarecu and requiem) but the other three ladies are close to my heart and I love that you've finally given it up for The Bening. Everyone must bow down eventually

7:47 PM, February 05, 2007  

Post a Comment

<< Home