They came. They performed. They did not conquer Oscar.
Actress 2004 Graveyard
NICOLE KIDMAN -Birth or Dogville
Though critically lauded especially in regards to her performances, these are not the sort of films that can support nominations. Not "normal" enough for Oscar. And Kidman backlash seemed to have kicked in with a vengeance this year. Time to slow down. After 3 films a year regularly, overexposure is happening.RENEE ZELLWEGER -Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason
If you cornered me I might admit that I don't think a second nomination for this is 'impossible. I mean, the AMPAS voters have proven that they adore her. But, given her win last year... no matter how charming she is again in her signature role --it has to be seen as unlikely.ANNE REID -The Mother
This performance definitely has critical fans, but the film was not much of an arthouse success and released quite early which both could spell trouble to all the already difficult to launch campaign given the harsh nature of the film and the role itself.
RACHEL MCADAMS -The Notebook
Though she starred in perhaps the biggest WOM hit of 2004 and her star was definitely on the rise, hers was an early story in the year. And with presumably much greater work to follow as her career takes off, they can afford to wait.
CLAIRE DANES -Stage Beauty
The movie isn't strong enough to pull her towards a first nomination, and Crudup gets the movie's most watchable role.
LINDSEY LOHAN -Mean Girls
Though a Globe comedy nomination is more likely than folks may realize, she's too young and green for Oscar attention. And they prefer dramatic chops.KIM BASINGER -Door in the Floor
Though she was certainly effective in the film, Bridges stole all the acclaim with what some say is career best (which for him is damn hard to do) and some people will feel hers is supporting work.
JULIANNE MOORE -The Forgotten
Sometimes great actresses can be in the race without big or important films, especially when they're in hit films (see Sarandon in The Client or Fonda in The Morning After for examples) but considering the silliness of the film, it's a no go.
REESE WITHERSPOON -Vanity Fair
Promising role on paper but the film did not deliver for anyone.
KIRSTEN DUNST -Wimbledon
One day she will bust out with Oscar but it will probably require heavier breathing on her part --i.e. a difficult role. She makes everything look so easy. Romantic comedies are tough sells with Oscar...they have to be big hits to apply (see: Bridget Jones, Pretty Woman, and Annie Hall)
ASHLEY JUDD -De-Lovely
While Oscar loves a longsuffering wife, they won't be marrying this one. Kline gets the bulk of the film's attention and Oscar may be too conservative for their unique romance.
HELEN MIRREN -The Clearing
Her reviews were just fine. But there was so little love for the film as a whole, or such lukewarm feelings that any awards whiff for her character work was blown away by general indifference to the movie at hand.
JENNIFER GARNER -13 Going on 30
She's first or second in line (at this point in the spring with only Lindsey Lohan from Mean Girls as competition) for a Globe Comedy nomination. But that's all for this TV star (although in terms of career moves -this may have been as good as gold). But despite the hoopla and the continued hype surrounding her this film was not a giant hit --and that's what comedic performances require to end up in Oscar contention.
NICOLE KIDMAN -The Stepford Wives
These things are predictable you know. No star has peaks that last forever and after three stellar years Kidman was bound to bomb eventually. Wives isn't a total disaster box office wise (unless you consider its strangely giant budget given that it doesn't look expensive) but Kidman has seen far better reviews... miscasting takes a toll.
JULIANNE MOORE -Laws of Attraction
"There is no psychoanalytical shortcut into my pants!" Ouch. Julianne Moore is and will always be an acting giant. One for the pantheon of great thespians. But light romantic comedy remains out of her otherwise considerable range. The best she can hope for is that this film's negatives are accidentally destroyed (hint hint * New line lab workers --hint hint).o
Year in Advance Predictions
juliette binoche * claire danes * gwyneth paltrow * robin wright penn * kate winslet
~alternates~
uma thurman * anne reid * nicole kidman * kim basinger * reese witherspoon *
emmy rossum * julianne moore *
