Looking back, final thoughts, observations

About the show: It was so FAST and sometimes I just wasn't interested in it. Sometimes the suspense was not enough for me (though the Best Actress was a real nailbiter for me). I missed the great jokes though I think that both Anne Hathaway and James Franco were quite great hosts, especially Anne who was especially impressive. Thank God, they did not take the 45 second limit very seriously (though in one case they should have taken -45 seconds from that particular winner). It was particulary great to see Billy Crystal (why doesn't he host anymore). Personally (as a huge fan) I would love to see Ellen as a host again. The presenters were good, I especially enjoyed Dame Helen Mirren and Russel Brand. I was a bit sorry about Kathryn Bigelow. She seemed to be very nervous. She's not an actress after all. Steven Spielberg always does a good job at presenting Best Picture. BUT WHY THE HELL AREN'T THEY MORE CREATIVE ABOUT CHOOSING THE BEST PICTURE PRESENTER???!!! Jane Fonda, anyone? Diane and Jack were so great 4 years ago and something like that would be awesome.

About the winners: I was quite satisified by the winners. I don't really mind that The King's Speech won Best Picture, it's such a beautiful movie. However, that directing win was a bit much for me. It might be my snobism but Fincher was way more deserving, I think. The best speech was given by David Seidler.

The lowest point of the whole show (and the history of Oscar) was Melissa Leo's speech. She was so fake, tasteless and pretentious. She's a real asshole and that F-word was as unintentional as her ads. Damn, she was a disgrace. And when she took the cane of Kirk Douglas... Gosh I could have slapped Melissa on her stupid face.

Good news: There was one winner that I really-really wanted to win. I would have been satisfied even if she had been my only pick who won. Yeah, that's Natalie. She brought back the best things about this Best Actress category. Humble, lovely, emotional speech with tears, baby. Plus, she gave an amazing, fantastic performance. So yay for Natalie!

All things considered, this wasn't the worst Oscars ever but not the best one either. Some great moments here and there, three awesome wins and that's it. It was better than last year, I think.

The Time Has Come...

Well, it's not much left until the big awards, so it's time to share my thoughts with you all on the different categories (the major one). Just like last year, I won't make official predictions because every time I write them down somewhere they won't be great. So I keep them to myself, I'm just saying some thoughts on should win/could win in the most important categories.

Best Picture:

should win: Black Swan

thoughts: The King's Speech will quite probably will win this one. It's a great movie in my opinion though it's not something I would give a Best Picture award. I disliked The Social Network for the first time but it was great for the second time. It's not that much better than TKS, though. And it can still win, I think as it fits the latest Oscar winners better than The King's Speech. In my opinion, Toy Story 3 and Black Swan were the best movies.

Best Director:

should win: David Fincher - The Social Network

thoughts: Well, I almost said Aronofsky but Fincher's directing is fantastic. I really hope it wins as Fincher would deserve this award much more than Tom Hooper whose directing is nice but again, not worthy of the Oscar.

Best Actress:

should win: Natalie Portman - Black Swan

thoughts: I really told evetrything possible about this race, just see my reviews. Natalie MUST win in my opinion.

Best Actor:

should win: Colin Firth - The King's Speech

thoughts: I haven't seen Franco and Bardem but from what I have seen, Firth is the best though I must say that he IS overrated. He has this one in the bag no matter what I say.

Best Supporting Actress:

should win: Jacki Weaver - Animal Kingdom or Amy Adams - The Fighter

thoughts: I so hope that neither Melissa nor Hailee will win. They gave most certainly the two least interesting performances of the line-up. However, they still have the best chance of winning. Or not? I just can't see Leo holding an Oscar (or don't want to see). I would be happy if Helena won. She was so charming as The Queen Mother even though I wasn't that impressed by her for the first time. The two ladies who have the least chance of winning are the creme-de-la-creme. Both Jacki and Amy give fantastic supporting performances. I might slightly give the edge to Jacki but I think I'll end up switching my vote between them constantly. Still, somehow, deep inside I'm hoping that they watch the screeners of Animal Kingdom and they are amazed and vote for Jacki or that all the votes which Melissa lost went to Amy. I'll keep my fingers crossed for them.

Best Supporting Actor:

should win: Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech

thoughts: I stand by this opinion. As an actor, Christian Bale is not even in the same league as Rush and the same goes for the performances. I was so amazed by Bale for the first time but for the second time, it seemed to be so obvious Oscar-baiting and even obvious acting. I really loved Rush's touching, funny performance as Lionel Logue, which was the best part of TKS. John Hawkes is also quite deserving though it won't happen. Ruffalo and Renner really don't matter, they are just fillers. It's sad that two filler performances took the nomination of Andrew Garfield.

Best Original Screenplay:

should win: The King's Speech

thoughts: The King's Speech deserves this one and will probably win.

Best Adapted Screenplay:

should win: The Social Network

thoughts: Despite my hatred for the first time, not I have to admit that Aaron Sorkin's script is the best one in years.

What do you think?

Reader's Choices for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards

You, my dear Readers have voted on your favorites for the Oscars this year. You voted, so it was your decision. In the end, I'm saying that my readers have a great taste when it comes to choosing the winners. :-)

So your winners are:

Best Picture:

1. The King's Speech (11 votes, 28%)

2. Black Swan (9 votes, 23%)

3. The Social Network (7 votes, 18%)

4. Inception (3 votes, 7%)

4. True Grit (3 votes, 7%)

5. The Kids Are All Right (2 votes, 5%)

6. Winter's Bone (2 votes, 5%)

7. Toy Story (1 vote, 2%)

8. 127 Hours (0 votes)

8. The Fighter (0 votes)

Best Actress:

1. Natalie Portman - Black Swan (22 votes, 50%)

2. Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right (10 votes, 22%)

3. Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone (6 votes, 13%)

4. Nicole Kidman - Rabbit Hole (3 votes, 6%)

4. Michelle Williams - Blue Valentine (3 votes, 6%)

Best Actor:

1. Colin Firth - The King's Speech (20 votes, 54%)

2. Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network (8 votes, 21%)

3. James Franco - 127 Hours (5 votes, 13%)

4. Javier Bardem (3 votes, 8%)

5. Jeff Bridges - True Grit (1 vote, 2%)

Best Supporting Actress:

1. Jacki Weaver - Animal Kingdom (13 votes, 33%)

2. Amy Adams - The Fighter (10 votes, 25%)

2. Helena Bonham Carter - The King's Speech (10 votes, 25%)

3. Melissa Leo - The Fighter (4 votes, 10%)

4. Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit (2 votes, 5%)

Best Supporting Actor:

1. Geoffrey Rush - The King's Speech (14 votes, 38%)

2. Christian Bale - The Fighter (11 votes, 30%)

3. John Hawkes - Winter's Bone (5 votes, 13%)

4. Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right (4 votes, 11%)

5. Jeremy Renner - The Town (2 votes, 5%)

Tomorrow or today, I will reveal all my picks in the major categories and my thoughts on each of them.

And then there were 100...

I cannot believe it myself but I have reached the magical 100! It has been such a delight so far and I want to thank you for your attention, your interest and your comments. You all make this reviewing/ranking mania worth doing as there are people who are really interested. And that's great. So thanks and let's just celebrate these 20 beautiful, wonderful ladies giving amazing performances.

The brilliant winners were:

Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia

Fernanda Montenegro in Central Station

Audrey Hepburn in The Nun's Story

Joan Fontaine in Rebecca

Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda

Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence

Julianne Moore in Far from Heaven

Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata

Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind

Judy Garland in A Star is Born

Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys

Kathy Bates in Misery

Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class

Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter

Bette Davis in The Little Foxes

Natalie Portman in Black Swan

Diane Keaton in Annie Hall

And here's to the other performances! :D

The ranking of the 100 reviewed performances:

1. Diane Keaton in Annie Hall
2. Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata
3. Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
4. Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind
   
5. Audrey Hepburn in The Nun's Story
6. Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys
7. Natalie Portman in Black Swan
8. Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter
9. Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
10. Judy Garland in A Star is Born
11. Julianne Moore in Far from Heaven
12. Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class
13. Leslie Caron in The L-Shaped Room
14. Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence
15. Ellen Burstyn in Resurrection
16. Fernanda Montenegro in Central Station
17. Liza Minnelli in The Sterile Cuckoo
18. Jane Fonda in Julia
19. Ellen Burstyn in The Exorcist
20. Bette Davis in The Little Foxes
21. Diane Lane in Unfaithful
22. Joan Fontaine in Rebecca
23. Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth
24. Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
25. Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia
26. Kathy Bates in Misery
27. Katharine Hepburn in Suddenly, Last Summer
28. Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
29. Patricia Neal in Hud
30. Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine
31. Meryl Streep in Postcards from the Edge
32. Simone Signoret in Room at the Top
33. Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda
34. Carey Mulligan in An Education
35. Geraldine Page in Interiors
36. Gabourey Sidibe in Precious: Based On the Novel Push by Sapphire
37. Irene Dunne in Love Affair
38. Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin
39. Jean Simmons in The Happy Ending
40. Pauline Collins in Shirley Valentine
41. Lynn Redgrave in Georgy Girl
42. Olivia de Havilland in Hold Back the Dawn
43. Barbara Stanwyck in Sorry, Wrong Number
44. Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire
45. Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People
46. Marsha Mason in The Goodbye Girl
47. Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life
48. Jill Clayburgh in An Unmarried Woman
49. Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole
50. Diahann Carroll in Claudine
51. Jessica Tandy in Driving Miss Daisy
52. Jessica Lange in Music Box
53. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone
54. Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones
55. Bette Davis in Dark Victory
56. Valerie Perrine in Lenny
57. Anouk Aimée in A Man and A Woman
58. Jane Wyman in Magnificent Obsession
59. Doris Day in Pillow Talk
60. Ida Kaminska in The Shop on the Main Street
61. Greta Garbo in Ninotchka
62. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina
63. Anne Bancroft in The Turning Point
64. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
65. Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right
66. Faye Dunaway in Chinatown
67. Helen Mirren in The Last Station
68. Ingrid Bergman in Joan of Arc
69. Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story
70. Greer Garson in Blossoms in the Dust
71. Marsha Mason in Cinderella Liberty
72. Anjelica Huston in The Grifters
73. Joanne Woodward in Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams
74. Isabelle Adjani in Camille Claudel
75. Vanessa Redgrave in Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
76. Greer Garson in Goodbye Mr. Chips
77. Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were
78. Shirley MacLaine in The Turning Point
79. Ginger Rogers in Kitty Foyle: The Natural History of a Woman
80. Nicole Kidman in The Hours
81. Olivia de Havilland in The Snake Pit
82. Natalie Wood in Love with the Proper Stranger
83. Joanne Woodward in Mr. & Mrs. Bridge
84. Jane Fonda in Coming Home
85. Joan Fontaine in Suspicion
86. Geneviève Bujold in Anne of the Thousand Days
87. Grace Kelly in The Country Girl
88. Ellen Burstyn in Same Time, Next Year
89. Shirley MacLaine in Irma La Douce
90. Irene Dunne in I Remember Mama
91. Emily Watson in Hilary and Jackie
92. Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly, Last Summer
93. Bette Davis in The Letter
94. Martha Scott in Our Town
95. Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
96. Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love
97. Gena Rowlands in Gloria
98. Meryl Streep in One True Thing
99. Renée Zellweger in Chicago
100. Salma Hayek in Frida

What do you think? I bet some of you were quite shocked to read that I ranked Diane above Ingrid. I might shift that #1 title between them constantly in the future but at the moment I can only think about Diane.

One more thing. I'll do the mysterious year next and 1964 comes right after that as it seems that I can get The Pumpkin Eater, but I need some time. But, I'm going to do 1964 after the next year.

The Final Conclusion - Best Actress 1977

1977

The much anticipated ranking:

5. Shirley MacLaine in The Turning Point

On the one hand, Shirley MacLaine's presence is not strong enough, doesn't fight against the weakness of the screenplay and she doesn't give the work of a lifetime. On the other hand, she has some very strong and well-acted scenes, which may not make up for the rest completely.

4. Marsha Mason in The Goodbye Girl

Marsha Mason may be neither amazing nor groundbreaking in The Goodbye Girl. She may not have huge dramatic moments or huge breakdown or even hysterical comedy, she gives one hell of a performance, which is entertaining, moving, lovely and so damn natural.

3. Anne Bancroft in The Turning Point

Anne still gives the best performance of her movie, adding real depth to the character of Emma. Although she doesn't have much screentime and that catfight scene was just not for her, I still appreciated this performance and I was certainly very impressed by Anne Bancroft.

2. Jane Fonda in Julia

People don't rave about this performance as much as they do about, say, Klute and They Shoot Horses... even though they should. It's one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking peformances every by this beautiful (who's never been more beautiful than here), superbly talented actress.

1. Diane Keaton in Annie Hall

Some consider Diane Keaton's win for Annie Hall a love letter to Diane herself, the character and the movie and they think that the Best Actress Oscar win wasn't about the actual performance. While I agree with the first part, I still have to add something: her win and my review is indeed a love letter to Annie Hall (the character and the movie) and Diane Keaton's brilliant, hilarious, radiant, beautiful, heartbreaking, luminous, fantastic and unforgettable performance.

So I can proudly announce

that my winner is...

Diane Keaton

in

Annie Hall

La-di-da-la-di-da; la-la

Final thoughts: A great year. I did it probably because I wanted to write the 100th review about an iconic performance (Diane that is). I mean, this is not a legendary year but it's indeed special and I'm happy that I covered it. The ranking was the easiest one I've ever had to do and I don't think it's surprising at all (I knew it already before I started). The overall standard of the movies was rather high. Although I hated The Turning Point for the first time, I enjoyed it now. Same goes for the performances: I enjoyed all of them, some more and some less. Shirley was the weakest link though she wasn't bad. Anne and Marsha were great, Jane was fantastic and Diane is... All things considered, this year was lovely.

And the winner of the predicting contest is Louis Morgan. Congratulations! :-)

Omissions: I haven't seen Gena Rowlands in Opening Night, but she's said to be amazing. I should check that performance out. Also, Diane Keaton in Looking for Mr. Goodbar must be also great. Both sound interesting. But there's an unbelievable, unbeatable performance in a Hungarian movie given by one of my favorite actesses and that's Erzsi Pásztor in The Devil Beats His Wife. AMAZING. 

About the next year: I wanted to do 1964, but there's no The Pumpkin Eater, damn. However, it seems that I might get it (the chances are getting higher and higher, so keep your fingers crossed), so if I have it, I'll do it instead of this mysterious next year (I'll announce the next year when I'm sure and next weekend is gonna be about this year, so I have still some time to get The Pumpkin Eater). The other year came quite suddenly to me but it seems to be interesting. There's only one clue with the next year but a help: The main principle is simplicity.

• Friends forever

What do you think?

P.S.: Could anyone help me with getting Wild is the Wind, The Rainmaker or Some Came Running (any link is fine)? It's a shame but I can only do one year from the 50s (1950) and I promised myself to leave that one last.

Diane Keaton in Annie Hall

Just as a start, I'd just like to say that it's an honour to write my 100th review about a really iconic performance. So the 100th reviewed work is...

Diane Keaton received her first Best Actress nomination and only Oscar to date for playing Annie Hall, the love interest of a neurotic comedian in Woody Allen's classic, Best Picture winner movie, the fabulous Annie Hall. I think that Diane Keaton's win in 1977 was pretty much what we call nowadays a lock. She had the support of the critics, the audience loved her and the movie, she won the Globe, she gave two acclaimed performances in 1977, she was the star of The Godfather movies. In short, 1977 was Diane Keaton's year, like with Kate Winslet in 2008 and yes, Sandra Bullock in 2009.

What can I say about it Annie Hall? Maybe that it's my favorite movie of all time or that it made both Woody Allen and Diane Keaton icons. Or that it's full of brilliant lines, it has a fascinating story, brilliant directing and great acting. It received five nominations and I don't think that it had a sure Best Picture win. I'm glad it won, though. Sometimes the Academy can get it really right. And they made one of their best decisions here. Woody Allen gives an excellent performance that might be annoying but I think that was the point.

Diane Keaton as an actress is such an interesting case. On the one hand, she's superbly talented and she's always such a radiant, luminous presence on the screen. I just couldn't imagine Father of the Bride without her smile (OK, so what? I love that movie) and eyes. I mean there's a scene there when she goes down the stairs on the wedding day of her daughter. Steve Martin says that she's just as beautiful as she was when he met her. And I totally believe that she's the most beautiful person for him. Sweet Diane has this luminous, unique personality which shines through the most shallow scripts. On the other hand, we have her later works and awful choices but she's still able to put on a great performance once in a while. I'm feeling towards Natalie Portman feels about her. She can do anything as she's the best.

Who can deny that Annie Hall is Diane Keaton (she's indeed Annie Hall)? However, an interesting thought came to this time: isn't it that we just identify this character with her because she just totally became Annie Hall. I've already written about this in my review about Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata. The actress inhabits the role so much that it becomes her after all and one just cannot decide which part is the actress and which part is the character. This kind of brilliance is so dazzling and it gives a certain kind of mystery to the role.

As I'm writing this review, I'm just trying to really consider my words. I want every word and sentence to become perfect (which is impossible) and I just don't want to sound phony. Not for a second. I don't want to be the guy in the line at the cinema. I don't want to use these huge and very noble words because Diane's performance is just so damn natural and it lacks every phoniness. It's just so full of almost ridiculous honesty. This performance is just like a masterfully composed concerto. There's no false note in it and some little touches are so evocative in it. I love that whenever I look at Annie/Diane, something good comes to my mind and I just really forget everything that bothers me. It can be anything, Annie Hall and Diane stands there firmly and she's there to catch me when I want to jump and she does so with her loveliness, charm and optimism. Like me, like all of us, Annie has her ups and downs and Keaton does so very well at showing all the changes of this fascinating, beautiful character made of pure love. As she is made of love. Woody Allen wrote Annie with love, Diane played her with love. I feel that Diane certainly enjoyed the part of Annie and it's so wonderful to see someone so cool and confident on screen. Diane is NEVER a phony for one simple reason: she cares about Annie, she loves Annie enough to avoid the traps. Because Annie deserves it.

I don't know if there's anyone in this world who can resist her when she sings la-di-da. I mean, the whole beginning of her performance is so ditzy and crazy and every once in a while we all love being a little crazy. And anyone who's not cracked up by the driving of Annie is a totally humorless human being. Diane's comic delivery is just golden here. OH MY GOD! THERE'S A PARKING PLACE! And you just hear the breaks. It's so impossible not to fall in love with Diane here. Diane made the impossible happen: we are amazed by her because we don't become her. Instead, we become Alvy Singer and we fall in love with Annie along with Alvy over and over again, every time we watch her. And after that it's just impossible not to love her. Wheter she says that we are what Grammy Hall would call a real Jew or when she's laughing at the death of her uncle. Who the hell cares? Who cares if she's singing and no one else is listening to her? We actually DO listen to her. I might add that Diane's singing is simply the best: I mean she's no Édith Piaf, but still. It's just her.

And there comes the best delivered line ever on the silver screen. "There's a spider in the bathroom. There's a big, black spider in the bathroom." Diane was able to deliver the most inappropriate and crazy sentece about chocolate milk fit so properly as if it was the most important piece of news. Nothing (and by nothing, I really mean NOTHING) forced comes out of Diane's mouth. Although it's true that she works with the best screenplay ever written, she still nails every nuance in it. Everything is just dead on.

Diane developed the character of Annie so perfectly (I think it should be taught in acting classes. Or it is probably). Annie becomes a free-thinking, independant woman from a naive, free-spirited, ditzy Chippewa Falls girl. Annie becomes educated and she simply outgrows Alvy. Diane shows the most heartbreaking and dramatic aspect of this character so thrillingly that it almost gives me tears: Annie loves Alvy but she simply doesn't need him anymore. I think that many people do not give enough credit to that Los Angeles scene with her. She's criticised that she isn't great as a Californian girl. But damn it, she doesn't have to be a Californian girl and she really feels like a fish out of water. Diane is so heartbreaking there: somehow I always felt that she wanted to go to New York (later she moves back to New York). Or I just really cared about the character. That's possible. However I still stand firmly by the opinion that Diane's performance is not only that funny, luminous acting you experience for the first time. There's a certain bitterness to it, which I haven't recognised before but having scene the movie at least fifteen times, I still have a lot to explore in Annie as Diane Keaton added millions of layers to her. She's just so complicated.

Some consider Diane Keaton's win for Annie Hall a love letter to Diane herself, the character and the movie and they think that the Best Actress Oscar win wasn't about the actual performance. While I agree with the first part, I still have to add something: her win and my review is indeed a love letter to Annie Hall (the character and the movie) and Diane Keaton's brilliant, hilarious, radiant, beautiful, heartbreaking, luminous, fantastic and unforgettable performance.

A rating would be so pathetic in the end. I don't want to do it this time. This experience was nothing that I can measure with my Meryls.

I've done it! 100 reviews!

But still. Just to ruin everything, down here as my mistake:

Marsha Mason in The Goodbye Girl

Marsha Mason received her second Best Actress nomination for playing Paula, a struggling single mom in Herbert Ross' romantic comedy, The Goodbye Girl. I'm quite certain that Marsha got the third most votes in 1977. She had previously won the Golden Globe in a tie with Diane Keaton and she starred in a movie, which was quite popular, I think. She might even have been second if they had been that crazy about the movie, which is not very probable. She did not win and she went on to receive two other unsuccessful nominations.

The Goodbye Girl is an OK, very entertaining movie. I really enjoyed it though a second viewing was a bit boring. The charm that was so grabbing for the first time was not that strong now. Nevertheless, I still had quite a good fun with it and I would gladly re-watch it if I had to. Neil Simon is one of the greatest comedy writers and I love his style. Although Out of Towners is unbeatable, this was is quite excellently written. An Oscar over Annie Hall would have been a bit absurd, though. Richard Dreyfuss' Best Actor win still baffles me. I just don't get it how they could choose him over two later iconic performances and two veterans. Quinn Cummings is quite cute and a nomination was deserved, I think.

I have basically experienced three types of attitudes towards Marsha Mason's career: some just love her and some say she's overrated and she was only nominated so often because her then-hubby wrote great roles for her. And there's a third one (which I also feel). According to that, Marsha Mason is indeed a very good actress, but there have been many better ones. And I experienced that from her movies: although Cinderella Liberty was a bit underwhelming and boring when I watched it, her performance somehow stuck with me. I really can't get it out of my head. However, the role of Paula (and Marsha's performance here) is so different from what she showed in Cinderella Liberty.

I felt that Mason was so much more confident this time around. Cinderella Liberty was like moving into a new house. Everything is new and one has to experiment with the possibilities. In The Goodbye Girl Marsha felt much more comfortable and easy. It might have been that she worked easier with a role that was written by her ex-husband. It also might have been that the material itself was rather lightweight and easy to handle. However, I don't think that either of them are true. Marsha simply gave a very good performance as Paula. That's it.

What really helps Marsha is the character, who's instantly likeable and sympathetic. I mean anyone who doesn't feel sorry for this poor woman has a heart made of ice-cold stone. It's a mainly comic role, but Marsha injects a bit of drama into it and yet it asn't anything depressing. Although Paula is not really an optimist, the movie itself is and (also thanks to Marsha) we just feel good because of that. Whenever we see this adorably ordinary character, we can say "that could be me". Marshe dealt with the hardest scenes quite well, the ones that are difficult to play because they are ordinary. For example, it's such a heartbreaking scene when Paula's purse is stolen with all her remaining money in it and then she runs after the thieves. When she falls, it's so heartwrenching.

Moreover, Marsha's chemistry with Richard Dreyfuss is just excellent. They work excellently together or to put it more accurately Marsha works well with Dreyfuss. Whenever Dreyfuss is too much and too annoying, there's Marsha who's the perfect balance and she saves the scenes as a result. Their scene on the roof is so lovely and romantic and deeply human. I might be sentimental but I really fell for it. These scenes are the best ones and they are so utterly loveable. Although sometimes I was quite bored, whenever it was close to ruining the whole thing, Marsha gained some strength again, so I had no serious problems with this performance.

So, to sum up, Marsha Mason may be neither amazing nor groundbreaking in The Goodbye Girl. She may not have huge dramatic moments or huge breakdown or even hysterical comedy, she gives one hell of a performance, which is entertaining, moving, lovely and so damn natural. As I said, it may not be the best one ever, but it's still great.

What do you think? It's time for the final predictions! :-)

And tomorrow... The moment we have all been waiting for... THE 100th REVIEW! Sweet Diane goes 100th. And the day after tomorrow... The Final Conclusion.

Jane Fonda in Julia

Jane Fonda received her third Best Actress nomination for playing Lillian Hellman, the famous playwright in Fred Zinnemann's Best Picture nominated drama, Julia. I think Jane Fonda was the only one who threatened Diane Keaton's Oscar win as dear Jane was THE star, she had previously won the Golden Globe for her performance and Julia seems to have much more Oscar potential in itself than Annie Hall since it's a huge, political drama. So I think Jane was a close second in the voting and I think this loss also contributed to her Oscar win the following year.

Julia is an intelligent, old-school political drama, which (like The Turning Point) doesn't have the innovative nature of the 70s movies. It's excellently written, directed, acted and made altogether. Actually, at the time, I would have expected it to take Best Picture. I'm glad that Annie Hall won eventually. Jason Robards and Vanessa Redgrave give truly outstanding and effective supporting performances and I tend to say that their Oscars were deserved (especially Vanessa's). I don't get the nomination of Maximilian Schell, though.

Jane Fonda is someone I deeply love as an actress and she's also a terrific person (very much, after we wished Happy New Year to each other). OK, to put everything personal aside, she's a brilliant-brilliant actress who's so extremely versatile and she's a living legend. Jane's contribution to the cinema is greater than most Oscar winners(!) can ever dream of. She plays everything: the bitter, poor and desperate woman in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, a hooker in Klute, a reporter in The China Syndrome and the list could go on. One just isn't surprised that she can do a role like Lillian Hellman and she really nailed it.

Playing real-life people always pays off with the Academy. When Al Pacino won the Golden Globe for his performance in You Don't Know Jack, he said in his acceptance speech that it's always a real gift to play a real-life person, even though you cannot be really sure that you played it well. Actors want to capture even the thoughts of the characters. However, I never felt that Jane wanted to imitate Lillian Hellman the way Meryl Streep did in Julie & Julia. Jane uses her own style and therefore I never felt that the performance was forced in any way. She approached this very interesting character with so much subtlety and confidence. I mean it's so great that the bigger, effective emotional scenes are not loud and over-the-top, but rather quite and very intimate.

After all, this whole story might be fiction. It's based on Lillian Hellman's work though I'm not sure of it happened in real life. Jane Fonda made Lillian very mysterious and it made the performance so dazzling. Is this a part of Lillian's imagination? Is this reality? How is it? There are so many beautiful layers in this character and Jane so brilliantly revealed all of them. Lillian seems to be very naive in the beginning. In my opinion, Jane nailed these scenes (they are so brilliant, I think) though one day I might be understand why some people criticise it.

First of all, Jane's brilliance is so obvious when we see the anxiety of Lillian. Lillian feels like a fish out of water in Paris, she doesn't feel like partying and I could really get her problems. After that, there are those scenes on the train that are truly unforgettable. Jane shows so many emotions there: fear, worry, but also courage and confidence sometimes. It's so great when she's talking to the officer at the border. Her nervous ticks are so brilliantly executed and well-delivered.

Later on, there comes the scene at the café, which is one of the most emotionally strong scenes I've ever seen. It's just brilliant to watch these two beautiful actresses (Fonda and Redgrave) act together. Their collaboration was certainly collaboration and not rivalling. They are supporting each other and they don't try to outact each other. Their chemistry is simply perfect. I feel that they are just like sisters and they really love and care about each other. Most people are more impressed by Redgrave, but I will have to go with Jane Fonda. Her face is so full of admiration and love for Julia. I think Julia might just be the better self of Lillian, something Lillian really wanted to be. SPOILER That's why those scene where Lillian looks at Julia's body is so painful. Jane made those scenes really heartbreaking. Lillian lost her better self, but she has a chance of finding her again if she finally finds Lilly, the daughter of Julia. Jane's huge breakdown scene in the bathroom is simply breathtaking. She so brilliantly executed those moments, there are no false notes in it, everything is pitch-perfect.

So, to sum up, people don't rave about this performance as much as they do about, say, Klute and They Shoot Horses... even though they should. It's one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking peformances every by this beautiful (who's never been more beautiful than here), superbly talented actress. It's really no surprise that Jane Fonda is still one of the most celebrated performance. Excellent.

I gave this 5 easily and with such joy.

What do you think?

Anne Bancroft in The Turning Point

Anne Bancroft received her fourth Best Actress nomination for playing Emma Jacklin, an aging ballerina in Herbert Ross' movie, The Turning Point. Although Anne Bancroft was the one who received awards and nominations for this role, I think she received less votes than Shirley, simply because Anne was a previous winner and she wasn't an extremely big star. She was the fascinating, respected, 100% actress who gave excellent performances in movies, on stage and TV.

I've already mentioned a lot of things about The Turning Point in my review about Shirley, so I won't say much else here. It's an enjoyable, entertaining and a bit boring and slow. Other than that, I liked it very much now.

Anne Bancroft was such a huge talent that I admire so much. She was truly one of the most gifted actresses on this planet andher death's a huge loss for all of the movie lovers. Anne's roles covered such a huge rane: she could play the almost blind teacher of Helen Keller, the broken down wife in The Pumpkin Eater, the original, sexy and bitter cougar in The Graduate. She had this deep, beautiful voice that had such a huge power. It gives me chills whenever I hear it. And she uses it so well. Could you imagine somebody else saying "Hello Benjamin!" or "Do you want me to seduce you?" Anne's performances are so manipulative but in the best possible way. You always see the character and if she says seduction, you're seduced at once.

Even if you read the synopsis of The Turning Point, you'll instantly see which part is the better one. Naturally it's Emma, the aging ballerina, full of pain and loneliness. She's not a very sad person, there are no huge tears of loneliness there, she actually acts quite casually and kindly with everyone and yet we feel some bitterness in her. Bancroft brilliantly added a touch of this bitterness to this role, which is instantly captivating. Audrey Hepburn admitted wanting this role badly but I really have to try to imagine her in the role. I'm sure that she would have been brilliant as always but that Emma would be so different. Anne totally inhabited this character and made it her own right away.

Emma is a very interesting, multi-layered and Anne did not fail in showing all of her emotions. Emma is someone very old-fashioned, soft and fragile on the outside, but inside she's not afraid of hard word and competition. There's a scene where she talks to that elderly Russian lady in French. Anne is just fantastic there. I got to know so much about her character there and I was utterly fascinated by Anne. I so love these nuances in performances. I'm sure that 90% of the people who saw this movie did not think it was that great but I was crazy about it.

Although she doesn't have much screentime (in fact, this might be one of the shortest nominated leading performances ever), she's still the leading force in this film. Very much like Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs, I was always so impressed by her that I did not notice that she did not have that much time to work with. However, the main difference is that the 80% of Anne's performance is in the first half and therefore she disappears for some time and unfortunately that time is enough to ruin her effect a bit. Everything becomes a bit weaker and I was a bit disappointed in the end. If I was observing it as a supporting performance, that wouldn't be a big problem but here it bothers me a bit. She's great anyhow but the whole thing wasn't as powerful as it could have been.

However, Anne easily outacts Shirley (though I don't see the effort in Anne to do so). In their scene at the bar, there's so much force in Anne which Shirley really lacks. And whenever they had a scene together, Anne stole the spotlight. I just couldn't NOT look at Anne as she was so interesting and Shirley wasn't much of interest for me unfortunately. I must tell, though, that although the catfight scene works for Shirley, it somehow doesn't fit Anne's performance. Anne was so gracious and dignified (just like Emma), then she plays Joan Collins. It was a bit disappointing.

All things considered, Anne still gives the best performance of her movie, adding real depth to the character of Emma. Although she doesn't have much screentime and that catfight scene was just not for her, I still appreciated this performance and I was certainly very impressed by the immense talent and presence of Anne Bancroft.

A strong 4. I know that this was a bit fast but I thought it was best to write both reviews when the experience is fresh.

What do you think?

Shirley MacLaine in The Turning Point

Shirley MacLaine received her fifth Oscar nomination (fourth in the Best Actress category) for playing Deedee Rodgers, a former ballerina and a housewife in Herbert Ross' Best Picture nominated movie, The Turning Point. It's interesting to think about Shirley's Oscar chances here: on the one hand, she was considered overdue, on the other hand, her performance was not big and celebrated enough and did not sweep the precursors. She was pretty much like her sister-in-law, Annette Bening this year. I guess she was the fourth in the voting.

The Turning Point is a fine, if a bit boring movie. When I first saw it, I thought it was horrible with horrible writing and awful performances. Now, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I don't know it might be my Black Swan mania but I found The Turning Point quite good. It was nominated for not less, than 11 Oscars and won NONE of them (just like The Color Purple). However, I think that 2 nominations were just jokes: although Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Brown show some fantastic dancing, their acting is mediocre at best. No wonder they lost to real actors.

Ok, I don't know if I have previously mentioned this, but I just can't stand Shirley MacLaine. Although everyone seems to be so crazy about her Oscar speech, I think it was very big-faced and it did not show any humility or grace. It was funny for sure but it wasn't very appropriate. Moreover, I did not really like her remarks about her loss to Elizabeth Taylor. However, I always try to overcome my dislike for her personality and I want to concentrate and focus on her work in certain movie as I think she's a very good actress.

It's very rare when two performers from the same movie are nominated together in a leading category. In the supporting categories, it's much easier not to compare them. However, when you have two lead nominees, the comparisions are inevitable. You see, have you heard any discussions about F. Murray Abraham without Tom Hulce being mentioned at once? You always hear: he was terrific but Hulce was just as good. Same goes for Thelma and Louise, Terms of Endearment (Shirley again) and the ladies from The Turning Point. Especially, The Turning Point and especially Shirley MacLaine in it. There's one reason for that: I think that Shirley is so dependant on the role of Anne Bancroft and she also relies on Bancroft and the other actors very much.

I know that I should put this a bit more kindly but here's the truth: Deedee's role is boring and uninteresting. There I said it. There isn't much in the screenplay for her and although there are big moments for Shirley, there is no real top of the whole performance. Let's face it: Deedee is an unhappy woman who regrets her decision (which she made a really long time ago) and she's jealous of her old friend and acts in a very bitchy way with everyone. This is pretty much only the top of the iceberg but Shirley somehow added some real humanity to this real. She portrays all the emotions of Deedee extremely well though she's not required to do much.

The first (and biggest) problem with this performance (and the reason why it cannot really work) is that Shirley let herself be a victim of the weakness of the screenplay. She sank into it without trying to swim. She gets into the background too often and even though she has almost twice as much screentime as Anne Bancroft, Shirley seemed to be much more supporting than Anne. Shirley doesn't have much time either and quite frankly, when she wasn't on screen, I did not really miss her and not because I could still feel the strength and radiance of her presence but because I wasn't interested in her. I was like "OK, here she is, she's good and then she's gone. OK, there are other actors here." Shirley's performance was never very fulfilling and substantial.

Also, I don't think that Shirley gave her best here. I never felt that she tried hard enough to be something really great. She has some very intense moments, like the confrontation scene between her and her daughter. Deedee reacts so badly to confrontation and she instantly starts accusing others. The greatest achievement of Shirley was that she was able to show that there's some kind of an emotional bubble around Deedee and she's just unable to express her emotions in subtle way. She just immediately starts being bitchy. That huge catfight scene between her and Anne Bancroft would have been quite ridiculous (like something from Melrose Place or Dynasty) if they hadn't laugh in the end. I was a really honest reaction which was nailed by Shirley (more on Anne later). It totally fit Deedee's character. Those scenes are extremely memorable and might just make up for the rest.

So, to sum up, Shirley MacLaine's performance in The Turning Point is a bit mixed bag. On the one hand, her presence is not strong enough, doesn't fight against the weakness of the screenplay and she doesn't give the work of a lifetime. On the other hand, she has some very strong and well-acted scenes, which may not make up for the rest completely but they're quite good.

I go for this strong 3,5.

What do you think?

The Next Year

1977

The nominees were:

• Anne Bancroft in The Turning Point
• Jane Fonda in Julia
• Diane Keaton in Annie Hall
• Shirley MacLaine in The Turning Point
• Marsha Mason in The Goodbye Girl

I figured it would be nice to take a break from this year's Oscar talk and take a look at a field with these great actresses. What do you think? What are your predictions?

And why am I doing this year? Scroll down to the ranking for the answer. :-)

My ranking of the nominees so far...

1. Ingrid Bergman in Autumn Sonata
2. Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
3. Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind
   
4. Audrey Hepburn in The Nun's Story
5. Michelle Pfeiffer in The Fabulous Baker Boys
6. Natalie Portman in Black Swan
7. Sissy Spacek in Coal Miner's Daughter
8. Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
9. Judy Garland in A Star is Born
10. Julianne Moore in Far from Heaven
11. Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class
12. Leslie Caron in The L-Shaped Room
13. Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence
14. Ellen Burstyn in Resurrection
15. Fernanda Montenegro in Central Station
16. Liza Minnelli in The Sterile Cuckoo
17. Ellen Burstyn in The Exorcist
18. Bette Davis in The Little Foxes
19. Diane Lane in Unfaithful
20. Joan Fontaine in Rebecca
21. Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth
22. Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
23. Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia
24. Kathy Bates in Misery
25. Katharine Hepburn in Suddenly, Last Summer
26. Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
27. Patricia Neal in Hud
28. Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine
29. Meryl Streep in Postcards from the Edge
30. Simone Signoret in Room at the Top
31. Jane Wyman in Johnny Belinda
32. Carey Mulligan in An Education
33. Geraldine Page in Interiors
34. Gabourey Sidibe in Precious: Based On the Novel Push by Sapphire
35. Irene Dunne in Love Affair
36. Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin
37. Jean Simmons in The Happy Ending
38. Pauline Collins in Shirley Valentine
39. Lynn Redgrave in Georgy Girl
40. Olivia de Havilland in Hold Back the Dawn
41. Barbara Stanwyck in Sorry, Wrong Number
42. Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire
43. Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People
44. Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life
45. Jill Clayburgh in An Unmarried Woman
46. Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole
47. Diahann Carroll in Claudine
48. Jessica Tandy in Driving Miss Daisy
49. Jessica Lange in Music Box
50. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone
51. Dorothy Dandridge in Carmen Jones
52. Bette Davis in Dark Victory
53. Valerie Perrine in Lenny
54. Anouk Aimée in A Man and A Woman
55. Jane Wyman in Magnificent Obsession
56. Doris Day in Pillow Talk
57. Ida Kaminska in The Shop on the Main Street
58. Greta Garbo in Ninotchka
59. Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina
60. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
61. Annette Bening in The Kids Are All Right
62. Faye Dunaway in Chinatown
63. Helen Mirren in The Last Station
64. Ingrid Bergman in Joan of Arc
65. Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story
66. Greer Garson in Blossoms in the Dust
67. Marsha Mason in Cinderella Liberty
68. Anjelica Huston in The Grifters
69. Joanne Woodward in Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams
70. Isabelle Adjani in Camille Claudel
71. Vanessa Redgrave in Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment
72. Greer Garson in Goodbye Mr. Chips
73. Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were
74. Ginger Rogers in Kitty Foyle: The Natural History of a Woman
75. Nicole Kidman in The Hours
76. Olivia de Havilland in The Snake Pit
77. Natalie Wood in Love with the Proper Stranger
78. Joanne Woodward in Mr. & Mrs. Bridge
79. Jane Fonda in Coming Home
80. Joan Fontaine in Suspicion
81. Geneviève Bujold in Anne of the Thousand Days
82. Grace Kelly in The Country Girl
83. Ellen Burstyn in Same Time, Next Year
84. Shirley MacLaine in Irma La Douce
85. Irene Dunne in I Remember Mama
86. Emily Watson in Hilary and Jackie
87. Elizabeth Taylor in Suddenly, Last Summer
88. Bette Davis in The Letter
89. Martha Scott in Our Town
90. Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side
91. Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love
92. Gena Rowlands in Gloria
93. Meryl Streep in One True Thing
94. Renée Zellweger in Chicago
95. Salma Hayek in Frida

As you see, I ranked Michelle's 4,5-rated performance above 5 performances. I felt I was too lenient so I took away 0,5 Meryls from the ladies below Katharine Hepburn in Suddenly, Last Summer.

The Final Conclusion - Best Actress 2010

2010

The much anticipated ranking:

5. Annette Bening in The Kids Are All right

I would be quite upset if Annette won in a shocker. Not because I hate her, I just don't feel that this is something that is worthy of an Oscar with such a competition. It's true that Bening has her great and memorable scenes, but this is not an amazing performance by any means. It's just very good, proper acting in a fine movie.

4. Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole

I can say that Nicole Kidman gave a very heartbreaking and beautiful performance as Rebecca Corbett. Although it did not blow my socks off, it was a very emotional and wonderful experience for me. Nicole approached this character very subtly and as a result, we got an excellent performance by her.

3. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone

This was a very exceptional performance by a young actress, which may not be amazing or mindblowing for the first time but it's very intense and memorable work. Lawrence took the character of Ree Dolly and created a real character. I really appreciated this achievement because of its fierce nature.

2. Michelle Williams in Blue Valentine

This is a terrific, very unusual performance that is extremely memorable and haunting. Michelle Williams took a very ordinary character and made her something very interesting. It may not be for everyone, but it's surely breathtaking breathtaking once in a while. A real treat for Best Actress fans.

1. Natalie Portman in Black Swan

I can say that Natalie Portman, an actress whom a did not consider a real talent, kicks ass as Nina and gives a performance that has the strength of Mo'Nique in Precious, Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose. If she wins, it will be hard for the next winner to live up to the standard she showed. A terrifying, brilliant performance after which you feel being hit by a full-guided tour bus.

So I can proudly announce

that my winner is...

Natalie Portman

in

Black Swan

You won at least this one, Natalie! :D

Final thoughts: Wow, ranking is rarely so easy. I must say that this year is not THAT fantastic. Only Natalie and Michelle fall into that category. Nicole is very great, so is Jennifer, Annette is very good. I hope that if anyone upsets that will be Michelle or Nicole though that's almost impossible. Personally, I would hate a Bening win and her chances are getting bigger and bigger (please tell in the comments that Natalie will win). Sorry fans, I don't want to offend anyone but that performance was not something I would call the best. I really enjoyed this year anyhow.

Omissions: I can't think of any. Maybe Julianna Margulies in City Island though I would consider her supporting. Many say she's leading. I don't really mind the Moore snub. I feel, though, that the comparisions between Annette and Julianne are inevitable and that will take a lot of votes away from Annette.

And there's also a winner of the predicting contest: Malcolm, congratulations on your great predictions! :)

The ranking of the already reviewed years:

1. 1969
2. 1974
3. 1989
4. 1959
5. 1939
6. 2010
7. 2009
8. 1980
9. 1941
10. 1963
11. 1966
12. 1973
13. 1990
14. 1978
15. 1954
16. 1948
17. 2002
18. 1940
19. 1998

About the next year: Wow, again, I couldn't decide so I let you decide, which should be my 20th reviewed year (I was thinking about 1968 as it's so historical, but I'd really like to do the other two, too). There's a poll on your right. Happy voting!

Note: Unfortunately I will have to create a new poll as I won't be able to do 1971, because Sunday, Bloody Sunday was removed from Youtube. Sorry to everyone who voted for that year. I included 1977 instead and there's a brand new poll.

Nicole Kidman in Rabbit Hole

Nicole Kidman received her third Best Actress nomination for playing Rebecca Corbett, a grieving mother in the movie Rabbit Hole. Nicole is already an Oscar winner and she did not win any precursor awards for this performance (though she could have, I think), so she doesn't have much chance of winning that Oscar on 27th February. Actually, she doesn't seem to be very obsessed with winning. She's now very relaxed at the award shows and I think she is totally aware that she's not going to win. I admire her for this.

Rabbit Hole is an excellent, excellent movie. It might seem to be boring for the first time, but in fact, it's one of the best movies that I've seen in 2010. It's a very tough and heartbreaking experience though there's stil so many beauty in it. It's based on a very successful Broadway play and the screenplay is simply brilliant and should have received an Oscar nomination. The actors all give excellent performances, especially Aaron Eckhart, Sandra Oh and Dianne Wiest. It was especially delightful to see the return of Wiest to movies. I think she's such a great talent and we should see more of her.

Nicole Kidman (I dare say) gives one of her finest performances here. I always loved her as an actress as she has that special radiation that comes from the stars of the good old days (I think she's very much like Ingrid Bergman, my favorite actress). I love that Nicole's performances are always so subtle, gracious and dignified. She never plays the traditional Oscar baity roles and yet she's obvously someone whose performances are loved by the Academy. Quite probably because she reminds them of the golden days of Hollywood.

When I think of Nicole's work as Rebecca Corbett in Rabbit Hole, one word comes to my mind: dedication. In fact, Nicole was so dedicated to this film and character that it deserves some credit in itself. In every second of the movie, I feel that Kidman believes what she's doing and she's doing this not becuase of the possibility of acclaim and awards. She acts the way she does because she believes in this movie and believes in its message and I can so respect that.

Most of Nicole's performance as Becca is very quiet and subtle but there's so much force inside her and Rebecca's pain is so excellently portrayed by her. This tension throughout the movie is so obvious and it's so captivating. There are some huge outbursts and they are so wonderfully placed in the movie. Whenever the pain becomes undbearable, there's some shouting and it's so comforting for the viewer, I think. This makes the suffering and grief of Rebecca so understandable and real. I bet this wasn't a very easy role for Nicole emotionally and technically.

Although I preferred the more quiet moments to the loud ones, the loud ones are not bad either. Her fight scene with Aaron Eckhart over that video is so heartbreaking. We see a more sensitive side of Rebecca and her emotions are erupting just like a volcano and it gives the scene some really heart-wrenching weight.

As I said, those quiet moments are just brilliant. First of all, Nicole works so well together with Miles Teller (the guy playing Jason). Their scenes at the park are so great in their subtlety and calmness. Those subtle emotions and faces they give us are just remarkable. It's so interesting that Becca is full of rage and anger but she still has some kind of a relationship with the person who caused her son's death. Also, Nicole's scenes with Dianne Wiest are just excellent. That laugh between them was so incredibly natural and deeply human. I loved when Becca asks her mother if the pain will ever disappear. That moment is one of the most emotional scenes in this movie.

Still, the scene that absolutely kills me is the one in the car where Becca recalls the death of her son and starts sobbing and crying. Nicole's chilling there and it's an extremely heartbreaking moment. Although I wouldn't say that the whole performance blew me away, that scene most certainly did.

So, I can say that Nicole Kidman gave a very heartbreaking and beautiful performance as Rebecca Corbett. Although it did not blow my socks off, it was a very emotional and wonderful experience for me. Nicole approached this character very subtly and as a result, we got an excellent performance by her, which is not only for her fans. Exceptional work.

This is the best rating for her.

What do you think?