Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Final Conclusion - Best Actress 1958

1958



So the much anticipated ranking is:

Somehow I feel that Roz Russell's performance as Auntie Mame is quite lacking and not a really great one. There's something really off-putting about it and I feel she could have tried harder to elevate the material. It might be that she didn't impress me because I don't go for this type of performance. I don't know why I didn't like her but the point is that I wasn't impressed at all.
I liked Deborah Kerr in Separate Tables, despite the fact that she didn't give the best performance of the ensemble an she was too much outshone by some of the fellow members of the cast. If we look at her performance out of its context, it's a pretty great one. It just pales in the context of the movie and the rest of the performers. Still, good job that works well.

Although it's true that Shirley MacLaine gave a great performance as Ginnie Moorehead but she was trapped in a movie that's constantly working against her, plus she didn't have enough time to develop the character as well as she could have/should have. Still, I applaud Shirley for making Ginnie loveable and being the best part of her movie.

It's no wonder that Hayward won the Oscar for this performance. Although I have some problems with her work here, I can say that she's indeed fantastic at showing all of Barbara's emotions. It's a very realistic portrayal of a desperate woman who wants to live. Hayward made this character much more complicated and layered than most actresses would have.

This is a wonderful performance that (at least to me) lives up to its reputation. Elizabeth Taylor is really fantastic as Maggie, the Cat, creating a fascinating, complex, multi-layered character. The fierce emotionality Liz added to Maggie is just brilliant. You can so easily identify with this character thanks to Taylor's greatness in this part. Extraordinary work.


So I can proudly announce
that my 30th winner is...
Elizabeth Taylor
in
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The first double winner. :)

Final thoughts: A so-so year. I didn't give any 5s but I guess a year can be great if I don't give any 5s. It wasn't the problem here. This ranking surprised me though I was almost sure that Liz would win. There was only one really fantastic performance (Liz), Susan was "just" fantastic. I had my problems with the others. Roz was quite much for me, Shirley was very good but she was robbed of enough screentime, so it couldn't have worked anyway. Deborah is not my favorite actress but I really liked her in Separate Tables.

About the next year: I don't have any idea yet, I still want to save 1967. Originally, I wanted to do that but I want to save the great years. I'll think about the next year but I'd be glad to have requests. :) It's your turn. I don't want to make a poll because that usually turns out bad and I'm rather superstitious.

What do you think?

12 comments:

Louis Morgan said...

Well Taylor is my choice without seeing Hayward though, and I suppose I agree with the rest of the ranking as well.

dinasztie said...

Don't you have any suggestions about the next year?

Louis Morgan said...

No, I afraid I don't really have a preference.

Anonymous said...

I would like to see a year that isn't frequently talked about. I'm thinking along the lines of 1938, 1945, 1970, or 1986.

dinasztie said...

Anon: I was considering doing the years and the one I found out are among those that you suggested. LOL If there aren't any other suggestions, I'll do that one. I'm not telling which yet.

Anonymous said...

I'm interested in your opinion about Charlize Theron, so I vote for 2003. 1999 will be a good year too

Anonymous said...

2003 would be nice...or 2005

Anonymous said...

You should totally do a year from the 80s! Either 81 or 87, especially ;-) I want to see what you think of Sarandon and Cher, respectively!

joe burns said...

Wow, done already! I'm glad you liked S Susan Hayward!



Hmm, I'd say 1988, 2008, or 2004 next.

Anonymous said...

A very interesting looking year for sure. And I'm happy with whichever year you choose next. =)

dinasztie said...

Oh my goodness. So many suggestions. Well, 2003 got two votes, so I might look into that then, if I can get the movies. :)

Fritz said...

I can't wait to do this year myself! Great work!

I throw in another suggestion and say 2001 :-)