Smackdown

It came to my mind that I could do this year, so let's see. But before that let me say that I think the hate for the actual winner is probably also due to her speech. But the ranking:

1. Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball: This win (just like Jessica Lange’s) is wrongly hated and underrated as I think it’s just great. She’s not perfect, because some of her scenes are a bit overacted, but she’s so raw, so emotional and really-really great. Her much criticised and nearly pornographic sex scene is not there because she’s hot, it really shows the pain and loneliness of those two characters who only have each other. And when she finds the pictures, oh that scene kills me. I’m probably one of the very few people supporting this win, but I don’t care.
Grade: *****

2. Sissy Spacek in In the Bedroom: Just like Berry, she plays a woman losing her child, but it’s so interesting how different ways these ladies chose to show the suffering and grief of a mother. Spacek is more subtle and quiet, keeping her emotions to herself and having some meltdowns. Tom Wilkinson was a bit better IMO, but Spacek was also able to create a breathing and memorable character and you just can’t help being sorry for her. Not ground-breaking, but very-very memorable.
Grade: ****

3. Judi Dench in Iris: How should I put it? This is a very intelligent performance by one of the most brilliant actresses ever. She plays Iris Murduch, a great mind who’s suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. It’s very different from Julie Christie’s very subtle and bitersweet performance in Away from Her and Judi Dench is also very subtle, but in Iris there’s more emphasis on the disease itself. Her chemistry with Jim Broadbent was excellent and I can’t really say much about her, that I haven’t already mentioned. Except for good job, Dame Judi Dench.
Grade:****

4. Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge!: You might think I dislike Kidman, but it’s not right.Although I think she’s a good actress, I don’t really like (or care about) her two nominations. This one is a bit weird for me as I think she was far better in The Others, but that’s just me. My main problem is with the movie itself. Moulin Rouge! is a bit much for my stomach and although the art direction and the costumes are spectacular, the movie itself did not really catch me. I know it should have butit did not. But back to Kidman: she’s very good in some of her scenes and she has a great singing voice, I just did not love this performance that much.
Grade: ***

5. Renée Zellweger in Bridget Jones’ Diary: The problem might be in me, because I’m not a single woman so I really could not identify with this character. Zellweger is fine, fine and the comedy part is really great, but I just don’t see why this performance is better than any other romantic movie performances. Although I guess the phenomenon itslef carried Zellweger to this nomination, there are really some truly memorable scenes such as the beginning. So not bad at all and I’m fine with it so my grade seems fine.
Grade: ***