Wednesday, December 21, 2011

The Final Conclusion - Best Actress 1987

1987


So the much anticipated ranking is:

I was completely impressed by Sally Kirkland's performance as Anna. She communicated Anna's despair brilliantly and she has an extremely powerful presence on the screen. Although her movie drags her down, she's still really great as the aging actress. Still, there's something in me that's preventing me from being completely taken by her.

I was impressed by Holly Hunter to a certain extent, I wasn't as amazed by her as I was when I first saw her a couple of years ago. She still has a wonderful presence and she's a joy to watch but I felt something missing from her work. Very entertaining and loveable work but not something to fall in love with (for me). 

In an unbelievably amazing movie, Meryl Streep is unbelievably amazing as Helen Archer, a worn out, tired woman. She masterfully works with the emotions, brings the right amoung of commitment to the role and she identifies with the pain of Helen incredibly well. Not only is she wonderfully strange on the screen, but also really heartbreaking and disturbing. This unfairly rarely praised work of Meryl is just fantastic. 

Cher succeeds in every possible way with the character of Loretta Castorini. Although this may not seem to be a towering performance for the ages, it's so fantastic and incredibly entertaining anyhow and it displays Cher's talent brilliantly. Despite being relatively new to the craft, she was courageous enough to take a risk by being incredibly subtle. Each and every movement and delivery of hers is just perfect.

Great Glenn is just astonising in her iconic performance as Alex Forrest. She makes Alex a terribly human character whose actions seem to come from her desperation and not her evil nature. She brilliantly develops her character from a sexy, confident woman to a devastated wreck. She's chilling, heartbreaking and just unforgettable. A truly incredible performance by an amazingly gifted and dedicated actress.

So I can proudly announce
that the winner is...
Glenn Close 
in 
Fatal Attraction
Why don't you love me, Academy?


Final thoughts: What a great year! The win was obvious though Cher came dangerously close (but then Great Glenn said she was not gonna be ignored :D). I enjoyed all of these wonderful performances, some more, some less. But you know it was really great to do a year that you were seemingly interested in. I was glad about the lots of feedbacks and arguments. I've wanted to do this year from the very beginning and now that it's over it all seems so cool, but I'm also a bit sad to let it go. :) This 1987 series was a dream come true for me. :)

Omissions:

  • Maggie Smith in The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne 
  • Stéphane Audran in Babette's Feast


About the next year: Well, I haven't decided it yet. It depends on a lot of things. First, I don't know if I have time to do a year till January unfortunately and I have to consider lots of other things. I haven't really decided it yet. :)

What do you think? 

10 comments:

Louis Morgan said...

A strong year and the winner certainly is not a surprise, but a deserving choice. I suppose I could say I am a little surprised that Hunter is fifth but that more shows the strength of the year more than anything else.

dinasztie said...

Exactly Louis. In a weaker year, Holly never would have been fifth.

Fritz said...

Great work as always. I hope I'll be able to finish 1951 soon but I doubt it...I hope you'll do that year soon, too! :-)

dinasztie said...

I'm considering doing 1951 but it's not on the top of my list. :) I'm gonna ignore the 70s for a while (until summer at least). I wanna do more years of the 80s, 90s, 30s and 40s.

I might hold a poll... :D

Oh, I just found out my new year! :D OK, so I have it.

I update the post with the clues.

Fritz said...

Mmh, my guess is 1995.

Anonymous said...

Yay for Glenn!!!Hunter would be my No2.Have you seen any of best actress performances this year?Yesterday i saw the iron lady,Meryl is amazing.Now i've seen all potential nominees(haven's seen TGWTDT)and my ranking would be:
1.Williams
2.Streep
3.Swinton
4.Theron(i'm pretty sure she won't make it)
5.Davis
6.Close
Some bloggers say Davis is one of frontrunners and i really don't understand why.Sreep's and Williams' performances are on totally different level.I predict fight between these two till the end.But both (especially Streep)are caught in mediocre movies and that might hurt their chances.SAG(i can see Streep,Williams and Davis win it) and Bafta(i think this is Williams vs Streep,and Davis will be hurt here)will decide winners.This is most exciting race in this category for years!

dinasztie said...

Anon: Unfortunately I've only seen Davis and Great Glenn so far. From the two, I prefer Davis' performance but I'm gonna root for Great Glenn if she's nominated.

After watching Ironweed, I've started to root for Meryl. I hope she wins, it's about time. But it's time for Michelle, too. And Viola whom I so love. I have Swinton's film but haven't watched it.

I think BFCA will go for Meryl and Michelle, the Globe will go to Michelle and Viola, the SAG and the BAFTA will go to Meryl and the Oscar... I'm saying Meryl now (wishful thinking and safety pick).

Anonymous said...

I think SAG will go to Davis(SAG always goes to actress nominated for movie with best box office,Renee in Chicago,Bening in A.Beauty,..)I am for Williams,but having just watched The Bridges of Madison County(she should won Oscar for it)+ great performance in TIL i would be happy with her win too.

joe burns said...

I've only seen Cher, and she's good, but anyone could have played the part. She added some of her greatness to the part, but there should have been a lot more to it to warrant that Oscar. I've seen most of Hunter, but I need to rewatch it. And only bits of Close. But she was certainly great.

As for this year, I think Williams and Meryl are the frontrunnes now. Viola Davis is a dark horse, but I don't think she is the frontrunner. She'll need a lot more momentum.

Anirudh Arun said...

I'm quite new to your site. Have you seen Anne Bancroft in 84 Charing Cross Road? She won the BAFTA and was really brilliant in that movie. I think she should have been nominated as well.