Best Actress. My Ballot and Time Capsule.
Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 8:08PM 
Time is a funny thing. It shifts our feelings, sorts them out. Awards are a product of time, a time capsule. They're equally funny. If you'd told me back in January 2010 when I first saw Blue Valentine that it would end the year as my 4th favorite picture and that Michelle Williams would be in my best actress list, I wouldn't have believed you. I liked her and the movie quite a lot back then but now come February 2011, I love them. The Williams/Gosling duet yields richer rewards each viewing, little intricacies thrown into sharper relief while other ideas you held about the characters get foggier with mystery.
It says a lot about the quality of this year's Best Actress field that Sally Hawkins in Made in Dagenham didn't even make the finalist list. She does expert work revealing how ordinary courage and moral outrage properly channeled, can transform even the meekest of people. It says a lot about the quality of this year's Actress field that Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone didn't even make the semi-finalist list. She does fine work embodying the cold small range of feeling that this life might allow for and she gives the hard film just the right amount of heart as a resilient eldest sibling acting as parent. In the end though, despite Lawrence's absence, my own ballot is the closest its come to Oscar's Actress list since...er... 1987. [Trivia: that's the only year from the past three decades that my own choices for Best Actress line up 5/5 with Oscar.]
Needless to say I was quite pleased with Oscar's nominations. It's my favorite Best Actress Oscar list in recent memory with the exception of 2006... maybe.
Needless to say part two: It was such a toss up for spots 4-8 that I'm sure I'll regret my choices tomorrow. If anyone in tier 2 had come out in 2009 or 2008 or 2007 or even 2006, they would've knocked someone out of the 5th spot. And if they'd ALL been released in 2005, my awards would have been radically different. Such is the arbitrary nature of awards, chained to calendars as they are.
Favorite Dozen Lead Actresses 2010 (in alpha order). If only I could nominate 12 people!
- Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
- Greta Gerwig, Greenberg
- Sally Hawkins, Made in Dagenham
- Kim Hye-Ja, Mother
- Nicole Kidman, Rabbit Hole
- Lesley Manville, Another Year
- Natalie Portman, Black Swan
- Ruth Sheen, Another Year
- Paprika Steen, Applause
- Emma Stone, Easy A
- Tilda Swinton, I Am Love
- Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
This will undoubtedly feel anti-climactic as my own nominees are usually more off Oscar's path -- who knew they'd have such good taste this year ;) -- and I usually finish before Oscar nominations and here I am wrapping up the first half of the Film Bitch Awards (medals and all) a week late.
I think the year produced two true masterpieces I Am Love and The Social Network so I split on Picture/Director, Picture going to the one I've remained most possessed by but I think both will stand the test of time. And yes, Nicole Kidman finally gets her Gold Medal after many years of near-misses. She's just transcendent in Rabbit Hole nailing the insatiable hunger of grief for more and more of itself and doing so with the barest minimum of histrionics and more humor than you'd think was possible. She also brilliantly foreshadows Becca's escape route through her thicket of pain, a path cleared by her curiousity, compassion, and capacity for stillness on a park bench, feeling whatever it is she needs to feel.
Reader Comments (51)
julianne moore is going to break up with you...
The Film Bitch Awards are one of the 5(?) most glorious movie traditions and I thank you once again.
I just watched Blue Valentine which was amazing and probably my favorite this year even though I haven't watched that many. Both Gosling and Williams were indeed very good. Williams could have been a liiitle better but still...
I'm glad you put Bening above Portman though I kew you would. Having not seen Kidman and a few others yet, I think Bening gave the best performance of the year.
hee.
Thank you THANK YOU for Nicole's gold star! I've been trying to scream it everywhere about how good she was in Rabbit Hole and how much she's better than Natalie but no one listens...
nice list. i think i may be the only one who didn't like Greenberg, and didn't like anyone in it. I think Greta is a devtn actress but I'd like to see her in better films.
Shocked by the lack of love for Ms. Moore-I figured she'd be a semi-finalist at the very least.
Currently, I'm terrified that Leo is going to win the Oscar because the backlash going on surrounding her. It'd be a pity to have the likes of Weaver and Leo both nominated, and yet Steinfeld still manages to win the thing.
And by going to win, I meant not going to win.
Kidman's gold star is well deserved and I really love what you wrote about Michelle WIlliams' Cindy.
Also, I do think you might change your mind about 1987's line up, should you watch "The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne" :P
Wow, almost all of my predictions for how you would swing were totally off!
I'm curious; Ruffalo and Bale are borderline supporting/lead cases that some people think the opposite on. If Ruffalo was considered a lead, and Bale was considered supporting, would they still get medals from you?
I'm loving the stars!!! Cute :)
I’m so thrilled Nicole finally won a gold Film Bitch metal after 5 nominations (THE HOURS, BIRTH, MARGOT AT THE WEDDING and a silver medalist for MOULIN ROUGE if I remember correctly) and for one of her finest creations, right up there with
Satine and Suzanne Stone. I guess Blanchett and Winslet’s Oscar nom tallies are responsible for their talent/careers being so frequently touted as most indicative of la Streep but I still believe Kidman deserves that honor; her depth, range and versatility just astound me.
And I want to thank you, Nathaniel, for that early shout-out to Paprika Steen on your Best Actress prediction page; your enthusiasm for her work got be really curious so I tracked down a used region 2 copy of APPLAUS on amazon… dear god was it worth it; Steen’s performance was truly staggering and the film itself was equally rewarding.
As for Best Actor, yes, Bale was indelible and I'll be thrilled to see him with an Oscar at the end of the month but at least Gosling got the silver. Richly deserved.
And finally, the big one, which I’ll admit I was semi-surprised to see went to I AM LOVE. I knew I’d get a metal but I was thinking SOCIAL NETWORK would take the gold. But I see Fincher took Director--so deserving (and I’m hoping against all odds he trumps Hooper on Oscar night)!)
The staaars! Correct me if I'm wrong, but these stars were the original method of rankings, back in the days of Dancer in the Dark, non? Glad to see them back!
Well...I knew I Am Love was one of the top two, but I thought it would Silver to Social Network's Gold. Honestly? Glad to see it your way :) Every day, I thank God for Netflix Instant, because I get to watch I Am Love multiple times and fall in love a little more. Of course, that said, it makes it all the more surprising that Swinton didn't make it to Actress -- but as you say, what a year! I knew Kidman, Bening, Portman and Steen were in, and I should've figured Williams for that fifth spot, but like the Oscars noms, I underestimated her chances.
*And* your three supporting actress picks are all contenders? Are you excited or nervous about that?
Another banner year for the Film Bitch Awards. Can't wait to see the Bonus Categories!
Such a well-stated passage, that last bit about Nicole, and I wholly agree that "I Am Love" and "The Social Network" are the year's two masterpieces. Much fun, as always.
BLACK SWAN for Best Cinematography! SOCIAL NETWORK for Best Editing *and* Best Sound!
woot! lets home these winners repeat at the Oscars
The Academy did have great taste in actresses this year, huh?
Very well written depictions of each actress' performance...
but I am shocked that Lesley Manville didn't make it into the final five for her glorious, glorious work in Another Year, and I am not very happy about Nicole Kidman's win and Julianne Moore's total shutout (rather for Chloe than for The Kids Are All Right) -- but to see things on the bright sight here is: When Julianne Moore makes it into the top 5 of the FB Awards FINALLY again she will be an Academy Award nominee FINALLY AGAIN. Both "institutions" have ignored her since 2003.
I can't believe Lesley Manville didn't make your top 5! She's my performance of the year.
I am sooo waiting to see Rabbit Hole. It's KILLING me. I agree whole-heartedly about Jacki Weaver being the Best Supporting Actress and I Am Love being the best film of the year. This is the reason i come back Nathaniel! You have good taste!
Hmmm. You should have gone with I Am Love for director, too. This movie is so entrancing and everything is about him, the director, and all the techs work through his vision. The Social Network is very Fincheresque, too, but the Italian director didn't have a brilliant screenplay to begin with. It's HIS movie.
Great job, as always.
I agree that the 2005 lineup was not that strong. However, Joan Allen was absolutely marvelous in the Upside of Anger, and she would easily make my top 5 list in any given year (even 2010).
Julianne Moore has been snubbed all over the place.
Walter -- omg. i'd totally forgotten that but i think you're right. i think i did use a little star graphic. honestly it's just because i couldn't get the color code to show up online.
BVR -- oh yes totally on Joan Allen. It's HORRID that she didn't get nominated since she was far better than *any* of the nominees that year and a worthy contender in any year.
cinephile -- i still love Julianne. she had a couple of "extra" nominations in the non-traditional category for Savage Grace ;)
2010 truly was one of the best year for actresses all over the world. I've seen at least 20 award-worthy performances. In the past my list always matches very closely with Film Bitch Awards but only remotely this time. Can't wait for the second half of FB!
Annette Bening, “Mother and Child” & "The Kids Are All Right"
Sylvia Chang, “Buddha Mountain”
Patricia Clarkson, “Cairo Time”
Fan Bingbing, “Buddha Mountain”
Fukatsu Eri, “Villain”
Kim Hye-Ja, “Mother”
Lesley Manville, “Another Year”
Matsu Takako, “Confessions”
Naomi Watts, “Fair Game”
Xu Fan, “Aftershock”
BTW, when are we going to get the update on the fourth round of "Actress Psychic"? I'm already making prediction for the fifth...
I did like "I Am Love" ... but certainly not to your extent.
I thought Moore was more interesting than Benning in "TKAA".
Although I am not a Kidman fan.. she gave the richest performance of the year .. Lawrence was right behind her.
"The Social Network" should get both Best Pic and Best Director.
I have little love for "The King's Speech" It was a good movie ( period )
Yes, yes, yes... Kidman is my favourite performance this year! Maybe she'll be like Bette Davis: turn in her best performance ten years after her Oscar. (Though of course Bette had 2.)
hi nat,4 of your 5 are in top my 5 but have not seen paprika so moore goes is in there,i see for 2 years in a row god has not made you line up,has the love thawed.
I second yavor's 1987 shout out for maggie smith in the lonely passion of judith hearne,no '87 list is final until her performance is seen.
my 1987 nominees
maggie smith - the lonely passion of judith hearne - gold
cher - moonstruck - silver
glenn close - fatal atttraction - bronze
holly hunter - broadcast news
bette davis - the whales of august
I just saw Rabbit Hole. I used to not understand what the fuss over Kidman was all about. But now I do. I have been converted. I get it. She's a goddess. Her performance will be on my list for Best of the Decade when December 2019 rolls around.
Are you going to fix that write up problem on the visual category page? And when are you gonna start on the extra categories!!???
Thumbs up on I Am Love for Best Picture. I think one of the main benefits of publishing personal awards ballots like this is to highlight some of the more unwieldy gems that slip through awards seasons (alongside the many perfectly straightforward gems that do the same). And Social Network certainly needs no further highlighting.
I'm disappointed however, that - like the rest of the world - you didn't find room for Julianne on your Actress ballot. Apart from maybe Michelle Williams, hers is still the 2010 performance that has most astounded me. And though I wouldn't want to deprive Annette of any of her richly deserved kudos, I still can't quite fathom all the Julianne neglect. Even by her own impeccable standards, she was so warm, fluid, note-perfect..
As much as I love Nicole Kidman, everytime I'd have had her nominated for my own non-existing awards, she would have lost to someone else and end up with silver medal.
2001 -> for "Moulin Rouge!", to Naomi Watts
2004 -> for "Birth", to Kate Winslet
2011 -> for "Rabbit Hole", to Michelle Williams
She is consistently fascinating, and a better actress than these three, yet I don't think she's ever given "best of the year" performance.
Yay! I'm strangely happy for Nicole Kidman finally winning a Film Bitch Award!
Loving the selection of winners, too. "I Am Love" is my silver medalist after "Monsters" so I'm definitely happy for that.
LOVE it all. Now for the fun categories!!
Nat,can you figure why moore has been shut out so often for tkaar,her end monologue shoulda clinched the deal but she had me early on with her fluffy fuzziness and her horror at being discovered by bening,the look on moore's face when she knows nic knows,devastating!!! and i just can't see the kidman love i just felt like i was in a very small toilet with her acting at me for 90 mins and sorry to bring this up but those lips!!!!.
I love your gold medal for Nicole Kidman...Thats the upset I'm hoping happens on Oscar night.
She was so good in that movie trying to shield herself and yet feeling so vulnerable,I felt for her and if I were her I would have beat the hell out of that woman in the supermarket and then got her son a box of every candy in the supermarket.
I have to check out you silver medal though
Glenn & Bhuray-- hopefully the fun "extras" begin tonight. but first i gotta do an interview and podcast editing. I'm trying to work fast.
Mark G -- i enjoyed Julianne a lot in TKAAR but like Jennifer Lawrence and a few other goodies there was just no room. What a year. The performance i feel worst about leaving off is actually Kim Hye-Ja. Argh. I may regret that one because that performance is freaky good/original.
Greta Gerwig is the weakest Baumbach female lead yet.
He should really go back to Nicole Kidman and Laura Linney and maybe find a way to make things up with his ex-wife.
Cagatay -- well... it'd be hard for anyone to measure up to Kidman & Linney but I think Gerwig is an interesting actress. I'm eager to see more.
Nat, great to see Kidman finally winning the FB Gold medal! Although, I have a feeling that if you revise/re-visit the 2004 ballot, you might wanna give her the Gold for "Birth", no? (since that film has improved over time for you and most people). I still think that's her best performance!
I'd love to see film bitch awards for EVERY YEAR! Even if there's no write ups. lists would be fun! (p.s. great blog btw!)
As much as I like Kidman, I would like to inform everyone that Winslet is better. If this is considered trolling, so be it! ;)
I'm with you on Michelle Williams. I came out of that movie marvelling at Ryan Gosling, and not really knowing what to make of Michelle Williams and the movie itself (although I thought they were good.) But they get better and better the more I think about them.
Also, I LOVE your writeups. They're so rich and specific and they really nail all the nuances in some finely-tuned creations. The ones on Nicole Kidman and Paprika Steen, especially, make me want to see their performances RIGHT NOW. Also, whilst adding Applause to my netflix queue(eueue?) and reading its description, I got so excited when I read "her nightly performances as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." It gave me some lovely All About My Mother/Streetcar flashbacks.
Jordan -- be prepared. Paprikas virginia woolf scenes will make you want to watch the movie all voer again (WHOS AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF i mean)
What a great list, I am so happy Ruth Sheen got a mention in this crowded year , the impact of Manville's performance would not be as strong without Sheen's and Broadbent's quiet and somehow judgemental presence , the 'this is my family' scene in the dining room is brilliant.
Nicole Kidman and Mark Ruffalo are also my wins for their respective categories! :)
Out of curiosity, what is your Best Actress lineup for 2005?
and as expected Nicole Kidman gets the gold...why am i not surprised???
Oh James T, I am also not trolling. Thanks for bringing that up.
No one has a pill that’ll ease the frustration when Jeff Bridges announces Natalie Portman. Nick Davis has Annette as a Best Actress: Bridesmaid doesn’t make it any easier. Of course she’s not a Supporting Actress winner I guess there are worst things in life than never winning Best Actress. If Annette has to lose - why is it to Portman? Kidman’s 3 nominations sort of depress me now – all of her cool movies and performances were ignored. Her Academy record feels vanilla and uninspired compared to the work in her filmography. Michelle Williams will have to duke it out with Amy Adams if Adams doesn’t win supporting this year – with her Joplin picture and Michelle’s Marylyn movie.
Nathanial, just our of curiosity, why didn't Portman get one of your top three stars? It's just that everyone seems to be in awe of her and she seems to be the frontrunner to win the Oscar. Personally, I rank her fifth behind 1. Bening; 2. Lawrence; 3. Kidman; and 4. Williams. Portman is good and serviceable, but a lot of her performance is with the help of CGI and special effects- which is not seen anywhere else in the Best Actress category.
Lovely write-ups Nat! Your short piece on Nicole's performance is especially heartfelt and spot-on. A transcendent performance indeed, and very deserving of accolades.
I am also pleasantly surprised by your honorable mention to Kim Hye-Ja. I haven't seen Steen in Applause, but of the other four nominations, I would've bumped Portman for Kim. Both are fanatical characters teetering on hysteria's edge, but I find Kim's portrayal slightly more dimensional and compelling.
bubba -- i may well regret leaving Kim Hye-ja out. this was easily one of the hardest years to decide.the lineup changed constantly and finally i just decided to go with what I had had a few weeks ago... though in truth i'm kind of worn out on Black Swan. Too ubiquitous. But i was trying to remind myself that hype and constant presence does not actually affect the quality of a movie. it just sometime throws you off momentarily.
so a year from now i might know for sure how i feel about it, truly. ;)
robert -- that's exactly it. well not the negative comments. just that the i don't think the performance is as difficult as so many people seem to think. She's working within a narrow range (which the character demands so that's not a negative) but i think what she does within that tiny range is beautiful. but yes, i think the film is better than she is. i.e. the sum of Black Swan's parts -- aside from cinematography -- i think are better than it's individual contributions.