PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING
ROLE
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal Pictures)
Kate Winslett in “Revolutionary Road” (Paramount Vantage)
Nicole Kidman in “Australia” (20th Century Fox)
Cate Blanchett in “Indiana
Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (Paramount Pictures)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax Films)
Comments:
They might just be calling 2008 – the year of the heavyweights when it comes to summing up the Best Actress category. The candidates of A-list of talents begins with Angelina Jolie playing depression-era, deperate mother Christine Collins in the Eastwood picture. Instead of a mother, Meryl Streep plays a “sister” in Doubt. Her take at being a nun will certainly get her a nom and perhaps a 20-1 chance to get yet another trophy. Kate Winslet is perhaps the actress in the category that has the edge in this category and it’s not because she won the award but because she has been nominated 5 times by the Academy (the last two for Best Supporting). Playing side by side with Leo in hubby’s Revolutionary Road, the Academy might reminisce with Titanic days and favor her. Finally, this category should see two Aussie girls in huge tentpole, lavish productions. Nicole Kidman will be showcased in the November release of Australia and Cate Blanchett plays the strict villian in Indy IV.
Contenders:
Winslet might get double notice this year, that all depends on the release date for Stephen Daldry’s The Reader. Speaking of “double efforts” worth considering is Julianne Moore who plays the visual impaired lead in Fernando Meirelles’ Blindness and who plays a impaired mother in a very risky role in Tom Kalin’s Savage Grace. Perhaps the Brits have a chance this year – Mike Leigh always seems to be part of the Oscar party and his lead actress in Sally Hawkins would be a strong contender with her role in Happy-Go-Lucky while fellow countrywoman Emily Blunt is sure to get some attention in her take on Queen Victoria’s rule Victoria in Jean-Marc Vallée’s The Young
Victoria. and Keira Knightley might get some cred for her work in The Duchess. Two extreme longshots comes in the form of Rachel McAdams in The Lucky Ones and new talent Summer Bishil has a 250-1 chance with her role in Alan
Ball’s Towelhead.
