The Best Actress race this year is turning into the Cate Blanchett show, again.
The best living actress in the world (although Isabelle Huppert would like to have a few words about that) is triumphant in “TÁR.” Yes, despite already winning two Oscars, Blanchett is poised to win a third one next year. From my perspective, at least, the race is just not that close.
After being celebrated with laudatory reviews in the Spring, Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) was honored by both TIFF and Telluride this month, kick-starting her awards campaign in the process. Even people who disliked her movie are pulling for her to get a nomination.
Meanwhile, although not even released yet, the “Babylon” test-screening in March launched Margot Robbie’s campaign, as buzz was highly positive for her performance in Damien Chazelle’s dark comedy. Her silent-era actress is a the heart and soul of “Babylon,” and if that movie ends up getting a boatload of nominations then you can bet one of them will be for Robbie.
Olivia Colman shines in “Empire of Light,” but it’s not her best performance, not by a longshot, and because the Actress category this year is so competitive, there stands the chance of her not getting nominated. For now, she’s in the top 5 of performances that have actually been seen. Never underestimate the power of Colman.
Gaining major traction is Danielle Deadwyler’s performance in “Till.” Test-screened a few months ago, I’m being told it’s total powerhouse work from Deadwyler, in a very chewy role. I’ve heard enough great things about her work in “Till,” where she plays a mother grieving and fighting her 14-year-old son’s murder, to believe she will get a nomination. If it all pans out for her, she’ll be Blanchett’s fiercest competition.
Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) maybe has a shot at that elusive final slot, but it’ll depend on how well her movie does at the box-office. At this point, I’m not convinced with anything having to do with “The Woman King.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Universal campaigns Michelle Williams’ excellent work in “The Fabelmans.” She’s somewhat of a lead in the movie, although, with no Blanchett, if campaigned as Supporting actress, stands a better chance at winning the Oscar in that category. It’s quite obvious Universal will just pretend she was a supporting turn. Nobody would dare go against Blanchett.
A late unveiler will be Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” The film won’t be screened for critics until December.
If the male acting category is weak this year, then it’s the total opposite for Actress. There are plenty of deserving performances that will get the shaft from the Academy, which is why it’s now time to alert voters on indelibly brilliant performances from Vicky Krieps (Corsage), Rebecca Hall (Resurrection), Ana de Armas (Blonde), Taylor Russell (Bones and All), Thandiwe Newton (God’s Country), Jessica Chastain (The Good Nurse) and Florence Pugh (The Wonder).
Cate Blanchett (TÁR)
Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
Danielle Deadwyler (Till)
Margot Robbie (Babylon)
Olivia Colman (Empire of Light)
POTENTIALS: Viola Davis (The Woman King), Emma Thompson (Good Luck Leo Grande), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Rebecca Hall (Resurrection), Ana de Armas (Blonde), Taylor Russell (Bones and All)
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