By John H. Foote
The supporting ladies. Previous winners, nominees, long-overlooked artists and brand new performances worthy of a nomination.
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Here you go.
ANNETTE BENING IN THE REPORT
Bening is another who might be considered due as she has been nominated for award-winning work, but no Oscar. This film is rumored to be sharp and edgy with Bening delivering an intense solid performance. A truly great actress who has been close before and lost. This could be her year.
MARGOT ROBBIE IN ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
her star continues to ascend. Though she has few lines she is the sunny bright heart in this dark tale. Family and friends have stated Robbie nailed Sharon Tate, bringing her back to life in a beautiful, glowing performance. So good she seems to glow from within.
ZHAO SHUZHEN IN THE FAREWELL
As Nai Nai the dying matriarch of the family, blissfully unaware of her fate as her family descends to visit her one last time, Shuzhen was a delight in this film, luminous and lovely.
LAURA DERN IN MARRIAGE STORY
If Noah Bambauch has written her a great role she could be unstoppable. With Big Little Lies Part 2 just ending placing her in the public eye, a plum role in Little Women, she might be noticed for this if they decide to nominated this fine, brave actress.
MERYL STREEP, FLORENCE PUGH, EMMA WATSON and LAURA DERN IN LITTLE WOMEN
These four women are all potential nominees from this film. Streep seems the most likely, though good things are being said of Pugh and Dern. If this is the slightest bit good, expect the film to be laden with nominations. This category could be jammed with them, all from Little Women.
JANELLE MONAE IN HARRIET
The rapper has proven her gifts as an actress, she was tremendous in Hidden Figures (2016) and Moonlight (2016) so all eyes will be on her in this historical drama about Harriet Tubman. Monae has it, whatever it might be. She is gifted and the camera adores her.
JUDI DENCH IN CATS
A brilliant actress coming to the end of her career, in a beloved musical, in a great role. Dench might just swoop in, cat-like, and nab that Oscar. She looks great in the makeup designed for her, and her abilities are beyond reproach. Don’t laugh…could happen.
ANNA PAQUIN IN THE IRISHMAN
Paquin won an Oscar for her performance in The Piano (1993), charming the audience and world with her stunned face at the podium. She headed off to HBO later headlining True Blood for several seasons making a film here and there. Supporting actresses do well for Scorsese; Diane Ladd, Jodie Foster, Cathy Moriarty, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Lorraine Branco, Juliette Lewis, Winona Ryder, Sharon Stone, Cate Blanchett…why not Paquin?
MAGGIE SMITH IN DOWNTON ABBEY
Acting royalty reprising her role from the hugely popular TV show, surrounded by British opulence and fine actors and writers. One of them will be a nominee, expect it to be Smith.
OCTAVIA SPENCER IN LUCE
This popular Oscar nominee (and winner) is back as an unorthodox supervisor of children who pays attention to her charges. The Academy has proven they love Spencer with an Oscar for The Help (2012) and nominations for Hidden Figures (2016) and The Shape of Water (2017). They might love her again.
John H. Foote is a well-recognized Canadian film critic/historian who has been an active critic for 30 years. His deep love for the movies began at a very young age. He began his career as co-host of the popular TV show Reel to Real where he remained for nine years. While on TV he began dabbling in education, eventually ascending to Director of the Toronto Film School, where he also taught film history. After leaving the college to care for his wife, he returned to teaching at Humber College where he taught both Film History and Method Acting Theory. John has written two books: “Clint Eastwood – Evolution of a Filmmaker” and the upcoming “Spielberg – American Film Visionary”. He is currently working on two books, one about the films of the seventies and another on the films of Martin Scorsese. Through his career he has worked in TV, radio, print and the web. John has interviewed everyone in the industry (more than 300 interviews) except Jack Nicholson, he says sadly. Highlights include Martin Scorsese, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep Robert Duvall, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola and Kathryn Bigelow.
