True Oscar Stories: Hey Nonny, Nonny
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 9:00AM 
Emma Thompson was nominated for Best Actress in 1993 for Remains of the Day in which she is very good but it really should have been for Much Ado About Nothing, in which she is utterly radiant, the classiest and most consummate romantic comedy lead the 90s could have ever dreamt up.
The following year, the Oscars made the same mistake nominating Winona Ryder for period drama Little Women instead of the post-collegiate comedy Reality Bites, which I'd argue is her single greatest screen performance if less iconic than her star turns in Beetlejuice or Heathers.
The moral of this story: Even when they're great, comedies have such a tough time being appreciated in their time. Soon you'll be able to add Frances Ha (2013) to that infinite list of under-rewarded laughers!
Reader Comments (20)
Thompson's shattering work in The Remains of the Day is in my top 10 performances of all time, but both performances make my top 5. I give Thompson three nominations and a win for 1993, which I don't think is matched by any other performer in a single year.
Yes, I totally agree!! Just watched this film for the first time recently and she was superb. Utterly radiant as you say (likewise the entire cast, who are all at the peak of their aesthetic appeal).
I agree that she's absolutely radiant in Much Ado About Nothing and that she would have been a worthy nominee. I'm afraid that her "seduction" scene in The Remains of the Day plus the aging at the end made the deal.
Sienote: 1993 was a marvelous year for music scores, don't you think?
Having just watched this one and the Joss Whedon version back-to-back, Thompson et al. really shine (although Amy Acker is pretty adorable). As lovely as she was back in 1993, her recent Red Carpet escapades (Toronto for Love Punch, AFI Fest for Saving Mr. Banks) made me fall in love with her all over again. She looks fantastic, even more beautiful, and still remains witty, charming, and utterly hilarious.
And, Frances Ha is still in the top five of my movie-going experiences for 2013. Hopefully, its DVD release will stimulate new conversations and put it back on the critics' radar!
I love "Much Ado About Nothing", and I think it's a shame it didn't get a single nomination. But I agree with the Academy on nominating Emma for "Remains" instead. I think "The Remains of the Day" is career's best for Hopkins, Thompson and Ivory. In a year without "Schindler's List" of "The Piano" it would have easily got the top prize. But 1993 was a really crowded year.
"...and Melrose Place is a really good show."
Just like what's going to happen with Greta Gerwig for "Frances Ha" or even Scarlett Johansson for "Don Jon", who both deliver what will certainly be one the best performances of their careers in this year's comedies (but it seems ScarJo has interesting chances for "Her")
All of this Emma talk is making me miss her SO much. Please tell me "Banks" will satisfy! (And until then, let's plan a little Thompson film fest. You've got a weekend day so you can watch 4 films...which ones and what order...go!)
Paranoid Android: I get that line in my head on a near-daily basis.
i'd argue that (in all seriousness here) winona ryder's single greatest screen performance was in Black Swan.
FX just showed the episode of "Ellen" that she guest starred on as... either a disguised version of herself, or her true self. Birth records may provide the truth.......
forever, I've been dying to see this episode of Ellen for years. I heard Emma killed it!
Nathan, thank you for this entry, now Much Ado has just jumped to the top of my queue. I am loving that Emma is back in the conversation. She is so touching everytime--she makes everything a must-see performance. I have seen Last Chance Harvey five times. LOL
Sorry have to disagree maybe a supporting nod fror maan but trofd is her finest imo.
The world needs more Winona Ryder films. My absolute favorite actress! Thanks for this.
You mean, like they are going to nominate Sandra Bullock in Gravity instead of The Heat? OK, maybe not a good example as I won't say The Heat is a really good ivies to showcase Sandy's acting, but I get your point.
But still, comedies triumph over genre films when it comes to nomination. Last year for example, I think Jennifer Lawrence is so much better in The Hunger Games than in SLP, yet she won for that utterly extremely absolutely overrated film.
PJ -- that is true. the hierarchy is like Drama > Comedy > Scifi FantasyHorror
mark -- ummmm, she's the lead. She's beatrix.
Tom M -- it will definitely satisfy your Emma cravings. She's front and center in the film. a One lead motion picture.
Paranoid --- the greatest line reading. lol
First off, another Emma Thompson lovepost about her being generally flawless and gorgeously sun-kissed in this movie while giving one of her best performances but then you sprinkle it with the shout-out that Noni gives her best work in Reality Bites, one of my favorite comedies and with a side of Frances Ha, one of my most thoroughly loveable theatrical experiences of the last few years? I wanna live in this corner of the internet forever.
Anybody but me think Emma in that shot is a dead ringer for Amy Acker? Remarkable coincidence since they are playing the same role. I so adore both films.
Mark the First -- you may. we're here all year.