As Alessandra Stanley pointed out in today's New York Times, no actor wants to hear those words! So instead, the envelope opening at last night's 14th annual Screen Actor's Guild awards was preceded by "And the actor goes to..." And with one exception, the recipients in the film categories were no surprise. In what is fast-becoming conventional wisdom this award season, the front-runners for the Oscars appear to be set. [See an upcoming post charting the major awards to see who will be prohibitive favorites this year.]
I was hoping for more intrigue from the acting community this year. Compared to the Oscar nominations, the SAGs got it right more times than it did not. Recognizing Angelina Jolie, Emile Hirsch, and Ryan Gosling makes up for their inexplicable nominees in the Best Ensemble Cast category: 3:10 to Yuma instead of Atonement?? Hairspray instead of Juno? Hell, I am amazed that American Gangster beat out the superior casts of There Will Be Blood, Gone Baby Gone, and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead! (I could pick five better nominees in this category, and I'm not even an actor!!)
None of the aforementioned deserving nominees won, of course. But I cannot make an argument against Daniel Day-Lewis, Javier Bardem, or the cast of No Country for Old Men winning last night. Nor would I want to. I do have a beef with the female acting categories: both smell of "career achievement" awards. True, Julie Christie has done some of her bravest, finest work in her 'mature years.' But did she give a better performance than Marion Cotillard? I don't think so!
Which leads us to "Female actor in a supporting role." You know what I think about this one! Can you say "Don Ameche: quick, give him an award before he dies?" Ruby Dee playing somebody's mamma--give me a break! Amy-Cate-
Tilda, all have reason to feel robbed. But especially Cate: I have to believe her stunning turn as Bob Dylan is being undervalued/overshadowed by her Best Actress nomination for Elizabeth. Her performance so dominated I'm Not There -- that's the role that deserves a Best Actress nod.
Before I close, I have to leave you with a list I usually save for my Oscar recap (but in these parlous times, who knows if there will even be an Oscars!) The Best Dressed/Best Looking List! (I'm only qualified to rank the females).
First, these women all looked great: Marion Cotillard, Diane Lane, Ellen Page, Anna Paquin, Amy Ryan. Perry Reeves.
Best Dressed/Best Looking:
Runners up:
Christina Applegate-Teri Hatcher-Jamie Lynn Sigler-'Sloan' from Entourage
#4. Vanessa Williams
#3. Kyra Sedgwick
#2. Marcia Cross
#1 (hands down): Kate Beckinsale !! (in fact, if Naomi Watts ever does anything to lose my favor, I think I have a replacement!)
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