My vote - Best Actress 2015
Not sure if I am reviving the old Best Actress analysis
tradition, but just had a bit of time on my hands and wanted to check again the
Best Actress performances nominated for 2015 and make a final decision on my
ranking, because it feels like an unusual year (all 5 are rich performances,
but I don’t fully love one or the other in particular) and it’s hard to choose
a winner.
So here are some quick thoughts on these performances:
1. Charlotte Rampling
as Kate Mercer, in 45 Years
Call me a sucker for European realness. A European actress in a low budget European drama, giving
a subtle, realistic, unglamourized performance. I had to warm up to Charlotte’s
acting here, but objectively speaking this is the performance to reward: it
shows the most technique, the most experience, great ability of owning the
camera in all those close-ups. It’s very subtle, too subtle for my taste, but
that’s the price to pay in order to stay real to the mood of the film. The
character’s arc is remarkable and skilfully played out – Charlotte manages to
create a Kate that we recognize, that we care for and, ultimately, that we feel
so damn sorry for.
2. Cate Blanchett
as Carol Aird, in Carol
A great director like Todd Haynes helps a lot in making a
great performance shine even stronger. The flawless style and classiness of the
film benefit Cate’s performance – they create an aura around her: as a result
of the way she is shot and placed in the
centre of Therese’s fantasy, this becomes a mysterious, sexy, glamorous
performance. Cate brings intelligence and experience. It’s a performance
accused of mannerisms and an unnatural feel, but to me those subtle diva-like
accents fit the description of the character –a smart woman dealing with
depression and loneliness by putting a façade, but also an expert at flirting
who knows how to play the game.
3. Saoirse Ronan
as Eilis, in Brooklyn
This is the performance with the emotional punch. There’s
the telephone conversation scene that might beat anyone’s acting moment of the
entire group of nominees. Saoirse gives a performance that feels authentic,
believable, mostly likeable, charming, and innocent, that brings drama and
romance and naiveté at the key moments. So why isn’t this my #1 choice? So hard
to say, I’m basing it on feeling, on my fading interest in the film, on me not
understanding or believing the character’s actions in the second half. But even
I must admit: the sane people have this on top of their rankings, because it
clicks most boxes, and it is indeed an achievement.
4. Brie Larson as
Ma/Joy, in Room
Brie carries the first half of the film, the Room section,
with great ability, dedication and dramatic feel. It’s so good that it makes it
believable and, when Jacob is not stealing the scene, she’s right there with
him, as a balancing act, bringing to the story the tragedy of the character and
situation – it can be seen on her face, in her very expressive eyes. Her
realisation of what she has to do in order to save themselves feels heartbreakingly
honest and what the film needs to nail the horror. But the second half brings a
different focus on the character and, as the dramatic intensity of the story
fades, so does the film’s interest in Joy. Overall, it’s a great performance,
but uneven throughout the film.
5. Jennifer Lawrence
as Joy, in Joy
Jennifer is the shining light in this mess of a film David
O. Russell put together and I don’t even think her performance is that much to
begin with. To her credit, she’s charismatic and pulls it off by somehow
handling the problematic dialogue. No surprise that she stands out more in the couple
of dramatic scenes, where the tone of the film doesn’t feel like an
unintentional joke. While she gets plenty of screentime, the screenplay and the
story work against her, generating random and/or absurd scenes to throw the
actors in. It’s more a 2 1/2, but I’m feeling generous.
Conclusion: I wouldn’t be surprised if in 6 months from now
Brie would be my #1 or #2 pick, because I love my actresses in dramatic scenes
and because, while different, the top 4 performances rank very similarly to me.
How the voting will go: Brie will win the Oscar easily.
Saoirse is probably the runner-up, but not close enough. Room overperformed in terms of nominations and that helps Brie a
lot. Charlotte would be 3rd, I guess, and the other two actresses really have
absolutely no chance of winning.
For previous Best Actress years/rankings, just look over on
the right, for a column with various years.
Nice writing this. J