Sunday, November 25, 2007

Alert

Okay, so rumors are flying about that the powers that be will be running Cate "The Great" Blanchett as Best Actress (that is, as opposed to the long-held belief they'd run her as Supporting Actress) for her lauded performance as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There" which would put her head to head against Marion. It's not official yet (I don't think so...), but needless to say, I'm a bit panicky right now. More on this later.

11 comments:

k said...

All of the FYC ads I've found have had Blanchett listed for Supporting Actress for I'm Not There.

http://www.awardsdaily.com/FYC/gallery/2007-08/photo.php?id=822

To put her in lead would be stupid. Her performance, I hear, is excellent, but she stands a much better chance at the Oscar should she be in Supporting because there's not as much competition there. She'd have to go up against Cotillard and Christie for lead; the Buzzmeter and all of these pundits are predicting a landslide win for Blanchett for I'm Not There because she has been up against Saoirse Ronan and Amy Ryan and all of the supporting candidates. Can you image how split the vote would be between Cotillard, Blanchett, Christie, and even Knightley if she were campaigned for as lead actress? It just doesn't make any strategic sense at all, and Weinstein is too much of a pro to pull a maneuver that stupid.

k said...

The last part of that link is:

822

k said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dorothy Porker said...

I sure hope you're right, K. It seems like much ado about nothing at this point, but it was quite distressing to hear it last night (distressing might be too strong a word, but, let's just say I did a double-take when I read the news). It would pretty stupid to remove Blanchett from contention in the category she has the biggest and best shot at winning. That being said, methinks Saoirse will take it in the end.

k said...

Did you end up seeing Atonement, then?

Dorothy Porker said...

Not yet. I won't be in London for another 3 weeks (sigh). But I just have a hunch about Ronan I can't shake.

k said...

It's been almost 15 years since a minor has won an award. If I were to put down money on who would upset Blanchetts seemingly inevitable win for I'm Not There, it would be either Saorise Ronan or Vanessa Redgrave for Atonement.

Ronan's Briony is like a young Tracy Flick, only slightly more vindictive. That's mainly due to little life experience and how it's warped her sense of right and wrong, but wow. That girl pulls a nasty stunt. Ronan is very good.

Dorothy Porker said...

I think that'll work in her favor (the 15 year gap). I suppose it depends on the type of campaign they run on her behalf. I remember when Paquin won, it was very much a surprise (probably my most favorite Oscar moment ever); she had only won the LAFC (I think), although she did score some other significant nods leading up to the big one. Interestingly enough, Paquin's character also pulled a nasty stunt in "The Piano." (Since I haven't seen "Atonement," I'm not sure what she pulls, but from the previews I sense a little bit of "The Children's Hour" or a similar act of sorts).

I wouldn't say the Academy loves kids, but they've definitely shown a preference over little girls when they do award children with competitive Oscars. Couple that with the upcoming prestige projects Ronan has coming up and the positive response to her performance. She's just under the radar right now, but in a few weeks I think she'll emerge as a serious contender.

k said...

You add in the enormity of the buzz surrounding Atonement (much larger than that of The Piano, a small film) and its odds to take home the prize for Best Picture, and Ronan's got a real shot at not just earning a nod but winning. Focus also has the resources and funds to launch a full-scale campaign. Hell, they've already started. There are probably at least a dozen Atonement FYC ads already launched.

Anonymous said...

well, this is only a RUMOR. Officially Cate will stay in the supporting category

Dorothy Porker said...

Yeah, the guy who first reported it quickly backtracked. Needless to say, I definitely breathed a sigh of relief.