Apparently, with Oscar voting now underway, a massive behind-the-scenes push to get Andrea Riseborough and “To Leslie” nominated has begun.
Both THR and The Wrap have pieces up about how Riseborough has been the talk of the town for her gritty work in Michael Morris’ drama. The Wrap’s headline reads “Could This Indie Drama Starring Andrea Riseborough Still Sneak Into the Oscar Race?”
Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron, Sarah Paulson and Edward Norton have hosted screenings, with more recent showings booked by Gwyneth Paltrow and Courteney Cox. After Paltrow’s screening, attended by the likes of Demi Moore along with Morris and Riseborough in attendance, the Goop founder called it a “masterpiece of a film” and went so far as to say that the title star should win “every award there is and all the ones that haven’t been invented yet.”
Some of the other actors name-checked who are pushing hard for a Riseborough nom: Susan Sarandon, Bradley Whitfield, Mia Farrow, Helen Hunt, Zooey Deschanel, Melanie Lynskey, Mira Sorvino, Debra Winger, and Patricia Clarkson.
Of course, their efforts will inevitably end with Riseborough not getting nominated, but I support this push even if there is no way it actually happens. The major problem “To Leslie” has is that barely any voters even know the movie exists. The film has no marketing department or publicity team behind it and was distributed by the very small indie studio Momentum Pictures.
“To Leslie” has also barely appeared on top 10 lists, critics groups have basically ignored it and Riseborough was predictably absent from this week’s SAG nominations.
Paul Schrader had also previously raved about Riseborough’s incredible work in the film. As he should have. I hadn’t realized that it was even released last October. That’s how under-the-radar this small film has been.
Riseborough is maybe the most criminally underrated actress working today in American film. When I saw the film as part of my SXSW coverage back in March, it felt like some some kind of career breakthrough for her. Sadly, the film has come and gone without much attention. That seems to be a given now with every Riseborough film. Why? She deserves better than this.
Known for her strong turns in “Nancy,” “Mandy” and “Possessor,” Riseborough will eventually get her due. It’s damn-near inevitable given the amount of talent she constantly displays on-screen.
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