Why Amy Adams May Have to Sit This Oscar Year Out...
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 1:30PM The news of Amy Adams winning the NBR delighted many and also stirred up the usual "The Film Experience hates her!" complaints in the commentary. We do not. Being frustrated by an actor's ubiquity and dullness at one particular annual event is not the same as hating them or their work. Amy Adams is a very fine actress. She has given many delightful performances, two of which would have even made non-controversial Oscar wins had she managed to actually nab the statue (Junebug or The Fighter).
Amy Adams (5), Albert Finney (5), and Glenn Close (6) are the living actors with the most Oscar nominations who have never won.
And it's true that she's quite amazing in Arrival, serving as the audience vessel to in two simultaneous and important ways that the movie couldn't succeed without: she's awestruck by what she's watching (she's our eyes and surely our facial expressions in the dark); apart from that awe she's emotionally and intellectually engaged with the events in order to grapple with them and suss out meaning which is what the audience is always doing when they're watching grand films that demands that they pay attention with both their heart and their mind.
But for all of that I don't think she's making the Oscar lineup and here's why...
Arrival (2016), Gravity (2013), Aliens (1986)
The first and most obvious reason is that Arrival is a science fiction film and actors don't get nominated for those. Oh sure there are exceptions as there are for any rule but they are very few. We've only seen two inarguable instances of Best Actress nominations from sci-fi films: Sigourney Weaver in Aliens (1986) and Sandra Bullock in Gravity (2013)... three if you count Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine but let's not since people never think of that as a sci-fi film even if they maybe should and perception is reality when it comes to genre. For reasons we will never quite understand, the actor's branch perceives genre acting to be lesser than acting in straight drama. This is baffling since acting within any type of movie has its own unique challenges -- it's the skill that you bring to them and the stories you tell with them and the character arcs you explore and which genre you're working in shouldn't matter at all.
The second but perhaps less obvious reason why Amy Adams has a more difficult task this year than she often does at winning nominations is that it's a highly competitive year in the Lead Actress category. In both previous cases, 1986 and 2013, it was not. Let's look back at those years.
Close but no cigar? The 2013 Best Actress shut-outs
2013 When Sandra Bullock was nominated for Gravity that film was clearly a threat to the eventual winner 12 Years a Slave and it won the most Oscars in the end. It was also a box office sensation, the sixth most popular movie of its year. Very strong and publicly beloved Best Picture contenders tend to effect voting in all branches, including the actors branch (see also, say, Alec Guiness's nomination for Star Wars). I don't think anyone would argue that Arrival is a serious threat to win Best Picture (like Gravity was) even if they would argue that it deserves to. Meanwhile in the Best Actress race of 2013 there was always a very clear frontrunner (Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine) and the other women were just hoping to get nominated. Five women were totally in the hunt for the other four slots and Emma Thompson (Saving Mr Banks) proved the odd woman out come nomination morning. The other women milling about the awards race --- people like Brie Larson (Short Term 12), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Enough Said) and Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha) were all in small indies that Oscar didn't notice in any categories. In short, Bullock was never in danger of losing that nomination.
The 1986 crop didn't excite the Academy
1986 Aliens, like Gravity was a top ten of the year box office sensation and critical hit when Sigourney Weaver was nominated for Best Actress. (For comparisons sake Arrival is currently the 43rd highest grossing film of 2016.) And the 1986 Best Actress race was even emptier than its 2013 counterpart. There was no juggernaut leader (ala Blanchett) with Kathleen Turner (Peggy Sue Got Married) and Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God) in a showdown for the win. To illustrate how atypical the Oscar race was only TWO of the Golden Globe nominees from each of their categories (Drama and Comedy) made the Oscar list. The other women* mulling about were in movies that were either exceptionally dour, flops, curiousities that people didn't really like or comedies they didn't take seriously (Night Mother, Duet For One, That's Life, Extremities, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Something Wild -- between those six pictures, one Oscar nomination in total... for Best Song).
Sigourney Weaver was no sure thing given Oscar's anti-sci-fi bias but it was also not a race with particularly strong enthusiasms for her competition and she definitely had the enthusiasm with that "wow" star turn. Into that Best Actress void at the last minute sprang Jane Fonda in another atypical genre vehicle (a thriller) The Morning After. It opened on Christmas and people didn't see it coming as an awards player. Both Sigourney and Jane were nominated...and probably with ease, too.
Is this tiered structure how you see the current race for Best Actress nominations?
2016 By contrast this year already has five respected and well liked Best Actress ready performances that fall under the realm of typical Oscar appeal (alpha order: Bening, Negga, Portman, Stone, and Streep) and one career honors type of movement for a legend in an atypical vehicle in which everyone agrees she's spectacular (Huppert) and possibly a little interference from a due performer who some voters might think of as lead rather than the "supporting" status they're claiming (Davis). How does Adams get past that significant firewall of strong contenders for a sixth nomination for an Oscar no one really thinks she could actually win?
P.S. The NBR doesn't have any discernible pattern with Best Actress - In the past 10 years worth of Best Actress prizes from the NBR, 3 went on to win the Oscar, another 4 were nominated and 3 were passed over by Oscar. That's typical of their whole history dating back to the 1940s.
Reader Comments (103)
Academy Award to Amy Adams for Arrival kind of sounds good... all those As. Of the ladies pictured I've only seen Streep & Adams' films in contention. enjoyed FFJ & thought Meryl's performance was far superior to some of her other nominated work (lord, August Osage County was a slog!)
I loved Arrival, I'd be quite satisfied if Amy won for that performance. if Arrival gets a BP nom I'd find it hard to bet against a BA nom for Adams. For what it's worth, I'd add Sunshine Cleaning & Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day to the list of good AA performances. Whatever happens let's hope for Arrival's financial success will lead to more original, intelligent sci fi in cinemas & more female driven pictures, lest our best actresses be stuck playing bland white love interest to superhero du jour.
I am a big fan of Amy Adams. I may not be crazy about how she is at the Actress roundtable practically every year she is a contender. But that doesn't mean I think less of her acting talents.
That being said, I do think that if Arrival becomes a Best Picture contender, it might take Adams with her because the movie doesn't work without her performance. Yet at the same time, she could end up like Julianne Moore where they'll wait until a less competitive year to award her because she has no chance of winning this year. They didn't even name check her for Big Eyes. So I don't think they're ready to award her just yet.
And then all of a sudden Passengers KILLS at the Box Office ala American Sniper and this entire website hates itself for not talking about Lawrence at all.
I can already see the comments if the initial reviews are decent:
"Oh yes, they do love J Law, actually. Yeah... they even nominated her in a mediocre O Russell film that couldn't really earn that much money. Hers was the sole nomination for that film, remember? But...errmmm we were too busy talking about Negga and Huppert and how the Academy cares."
I love Amy Adams and I would be delighted if she wins for Arrival. She should have won for Junebug or The Fighter. She was much better than Melissa Leo in that film.
I don't think TFE has been unkind to Adams, and I think it's unfortunate Nathaniel has to defend his position on her.
People have different tastes...you may think Adams is God's gift to the world, but someone else may argue that she's been overpraised, and they have every right to think that.
Personally, I've only liked three Adams performances: Junebug, Her, and American Hustle. I tend to think she's bland and uncharismatic onscreen, and that the recasting possibilities for her roles are endless. #imnotsorry
I think a nod for Amy in Arrival is not out of the question - the film was basically sold on her face even though it's not exactly the "one-man show" Gravity and The Martian (the two most recent sci-fi acting nominees) were - or were perceived to be, in the case of The Martian, and people ARE seeing it. Plus, obviously actors/Academy members LOVE her. It also helps that she's great in the film.
BUT. None of Villeneuve's films have ever really HAPPENED with Oscar, even Sicario which many thought would. AND it's a packed field. AND there's the Viola Davis factor. AND frankly, I don't know that Amy will get a lot of #1 placements (although does that matter for nominations? I always forget. Anyway...) for this performance, EVEN THOUGH she's great - it's just that there are so many other more immediate performances that will inspire deep passion out there this year.
And then there's the Viola Davis factor. Yes, last year they gave in to the pressure and said BOTH Vikander AND Mara were "Supporting", but Carol was a two-female-lead film and The Danish Girl was always SEEN as The Eddie Redmayne Show (perception is everything in the Oscar race). Fences isn't being sold as The Denzel Washington Show, and if the early word is to be believed, it's VERY possible that the Academy rejects the category fraud just like they did with Winslet in The Reader.
That said, I think we're looking at a lineup of Portman, Stone, Davis, Streep, and Huppert - IF AND ONLY IF the precursors rally behind those last two (Globes and SAG for Streep, critics for Huppert). 20th Century Women is coming out too late, Streep is Streep and will be feted at the Globes regardless of whether she gets a nomination, and Loving doesn't seem to have very much passion behind it even from people who like it. I fear that Bening will be the big shocking snub come nomination morning, I really do, and this PAINS me given all I've heard about the film and her performance. But it's coming out SO late, and it's being sold as more of an ensemble film instead of "ANNETTE BENING IN..." I think it's between Huppert and Adams for the last slot, since Elle is NOT a film many Academy members will watch, let alone vote for... unlike 2 Days 1 Night and 45 Years (I just got a BIG chuckle out of seeing those two titles together like that). But if the critics rally and make enough of a big to-do about it, I think she'll prove undeniable and edge out Adams. All of THAT said, though, if everyone decides to buy into Davis's category fraud, Amy's chances increase exponentially and I think she'll very likely get in.
This is all making my head hurt. But it's fun!
"I believe if you actually read this article you will not see any put downs. I LOVE her performance in Arrival and have said so multiple times. Unless you're counting ..." aaaand point is proven. It doesn't matter how small or big the dig is, there always has to be something. And the person giving out the digs doesn't get to decide if it's a dig or not, it's the person you are giving it to. No I'm not Amy Adams, but I would bet a person would take it in a negative way if any comment made about them had to always have some negative twist to it every. single. time. It just feels odd, like she did something personal to you.
How exciting to have a popular performer who really gets people talking! I've always run hot and cold on her, but just seeing all the queeny drama she incites here causes me to like her a little bit more.
Rahul, your assessment of Streep is spot-on.
And I don't GET the love for Negga in Loving...she's fine but by no means award-worthy.
I definitely like Amy Adams, but I think she may be left off because the minivan is just too damn full this year. It's Sci-Fi as you note, and her character basically goes from A-B (serious thinking linguist to serious thinking alien communicator). But with Bening, Negga or Huppert ... I don't see any of them as locks. Their films are indie or foreign. Adams maybe has the most advantage because her film made the most money (as crass as that may sound), and it will be heavily promoted by the studio for a best picture nomination. With Florence Foster Jenkins, it's honestly just gravy for anyone who is nominated. That film is wildly funny, but it's a summer comedy and that may not have enough gravitas for Oscar voters. I haven't see La La Land or Jacquie, but apparently its already been decided by the herd that those two (Emma and Natalie) should be nominated. Who knows. Interesting year.
I am reading these comments through because I effing love Amy Adams and am a huge advocate. As an advocate, I do want to say that I hardly think she's overdue. I honestly felt like she deserved the win in 2013 for American Hustle. Call me crazy, but I know Cate would agree. ;)
Also, I agree with whoever said the comment about the narrative. I really hope she gets the awards narrative she deserves and that she doesn't turn into Glenn Close (who is also in my top five favorite actresses, tbh).
"Adams does not have the caliber of a five times nominee. No she did not deserve her noms for The Master and Doubt. Not by any means. Nicole Kidman has 3 nominations.I would like everyone to imagine how Amy Adams has 5 nominations and Nicole Kidman has 3. AMPAS has been very generous with Ms Adams and it should be ok with everyone if she sat this one out."
Thank you, Tony T
And Nicole didn't deserve a nomination (or even win) for The Hours so, your point?
I see Arrival and Amy Adams getting a lot of #1 votes, something I don't see Loving and Ruth Negga getting.
"I would like everyone to imagine how Amy Adams has 5 nominations and Nicole Kidman has 3."
Yup. Sounds about right. If anything, that's one too many for Kidman. (Talk about 'limited range, often dull, out of her depth, uneven and gets way too many roles better suited to other women'.)
All that said, putting down or raising up a 'rival' actress is hardly ever a compelling argument for or against an actress's range/skill. And it feels like only the catty [male] gays ever do it. Which brings me to:
"just seeing all the queeny drama she incites here causes me to like her a little bit more"
Which made me laugh and laugh and laugh some more. And then laugh again.
Also, halfway through reading 60+ comments about whether or not the world will end if Amy Adams receives her sixth Oscar nomination, I couldn't help but wonder, "hm, is this why ISIS hates us?"
"Catty male gays" is a terrible shameful stereotype. I think this forum goes south when conversations about cinema and acting turn into conversations about online posters.
--- Nathaniel is basically saying ---
"I predict "Arrival" as a Best Picture nominee, see? It's in my Top 7"
"I predict Denis Villeneuve as a near lock in Best Director, see? He's in my Top 2"
"But Amy Adams, an unpopular b*tch that Oscar has yet to hear of (that I'll keep claiming I'm not throwing shade at 24/7) is in an indie struggling at the Box Office that's being dwarfed by the massive success of Loving, Elle, and Florence Foster Jenkins. And the soon to be released blockbuster 20th Century Women."
*shoves head deeper into a massive Black Hole billion light years away*
"I just... Don't...Know... she might actually miss out on a nom you guysssss"
How fun would it be if Emma Stone actually didn't get a nod ? I mean, I think she's a fine actress but the only time I've really noticed her was when she gave that spectacular monologue in Birdman, on the other hand Amy Adams is always a delight to watch, her range is undeniable and her charisma is bullet proof. Having said that, I would love to see Jessica Chastain getting a nod for Miss Sloane and Viola Davis being actually promoted to leading actress for Fences, so my top 5 would be: Adams-Portman-Davis-Chastain-Bening. As for supporting actress: Williams-Harris-Kidman-Mbatha-Raw- Weisz.
I really like Amy Adams and thought she should've won for Junebug (what a magnificent performance). She was nomination-worthy in The Master and The Fighter, too. I thought American Hustle was disposable, but with its juggernaut release and David O. Russell's hot streak, it propelled her to a nomination. (Christian Bale was not widely predicted either. Actors just wildly responded to that movie for whatever reason).
She's solidly in the hunt this year, but I have to agree that as much as I loved Arrival - it's one of the best this year - I just don't see her getting nominated. I think the spoiler this year may be Taraji P. Henson if Hidden Figures is a big hit (which is likely, I think). There are just soooo many great female performances this year.
On a side note, I've been thinking about the SAG nominations this year and am wondering if we'll have a Sarah Silverman (I Smile Back) / Hilary Swank (Conviction) -style surprise nomination this year. If so, I'm banking on Rachel Weisz in Denial.
So many thoughts
1. Clear leading lady in a best picture contender misses out very infrequently. In the past 15 years, I can only think of two: Charlize Theron in Mad Max and Kiera Knightley in Atonement. But it does seem like a lot of these films will play for a best picture nomination.
2. @Eder Arcas, I'm gonna suggest that while you can question her range, I'm gonna argue that Stone >>>> Adams for charisma.
3. "Adams doesn't have the caliber of a 5-time nominee." And yet she is one. The one thing that I'm genuinely curious about, though, is that she always gets nominated for films that are undeniably "actors" pictures. 4 of her five oscar nominations came from films that had an SAG nod for ensemble.
4. Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep in a charming biopic that showcases her ridiculous technical ability.
5. Yeah, Jennifer Lawrence can definitely stealth her way into the race.
Why do I have a feeling Amy is going to win the New York Film Critics Circle prize tomorrow? Just a hunch...
This is about as likely as Huppert getting nominated for Things to Come (opening in limited release in the US in two days) rather than Elle. Not impossible and almost logical, but...
Some of y'all would say the sky is black if Nat said it was blue if it came up in a convo about Amy Adams. REEEEAAAACHING for hate.
There's a first time for everything, I guess. They haven't given her one yet, in either category, but this year they can award her for two performances (three if you count Batman v Superman, but don't). Same is true of Huppert, however (see above comment).
I hope the nominations will not be the usual top 5 that we discuss endlessly here (however fun they are to read).
But I do want Huppert to be nominated along with Rebecca Hall in Christine. Then after that I really don't care who else is there. But might it be nice if performances from world cinema actresses are also in contention without the caveat that it's a subtitled film, it's tough to sit through the film, it's a controversial film, etc.
So okay, since I don't know how one gets nominated (first place votes count more than second, third, fourth or fifth-place votes), I want Huppert, Hall, Adams, Negga and Bening.
But I really would like an MVP lineup of Huppert, Hall, Braga, Sandra Huller and Tilda Swinton.
More and more I think Benning & Negga lose out. And it feels like people aren't buying Davies as supporting.
I'm predicting;
Adams, Davies, Huppert, Portman, Stone
With Davies winning whichever category she's placed in.
If Huppert is nominated along with Davis, I would want the former to win for sure. She's been overlooked many times, more than the latter in terms of career trajectory. Heck, she hasn't nabbed even a single Oscar nomination!
And I'm pretty neutral about Adams - don't admire her the same way I do Blanchett nor dislike her such as a few other actresses whom I'd rather not mention.
Ugh, cut out the petty comments people. Nat has always been civilized in his assertions, even when speaking frankly about actors he dislikes. But several of you are even putting words in his mouth he didn't say!
Anyhow, I have a gut feeling that Streep, while likely, she will get the Emma Thompson treatment a la Saving Mr. Banks. She will score the Golden Globe nomination and miss out an Oscar nom. I think if this happens, Adams is in.
Huppert is a wild card. I think she will happen if some critic groups throw her some flowers. She's got some press already and a Gotham win, but these are not enough, she needs some push from the Critics.
I understand some may feel weary of Bening chances, but she's locked, people. She has the Festival Circuit praise, the shining reviews, and she's loved and respected by the Academy. I actually think the movie release date has timing in her favor. It's that kind of film and performance you want to keep fresh for voters. She will be galvanized by the time voting opens. She's in, no doubt.
And of course, Portman and Stone, who can claim their Golden Globes already. They will be battling it out until Feb 26. I will not be surprised if Portman wins her second. I see her odds better than Stone's. Key: powerful performance (career best for Portman) in a biopic of sorts of a US first lady. Not unbeatable and Stone could still win. But the odds are in Portman's favor in spite of having won already.
To each his own.
I honestly think that Amy Adams will be nominated alongside with Isabelle Huppert, Emma Stone, Natalie Portman, and Annette Bening.
If The Bening's overdue status doesn't help her campaign, I can see the Oscar going to Amy.
Of course Meryl Streep is not great in everything, but in Florence Foster Jenkins she's so damn great.
Who knew Amy Adams had such passionate defenders.
amy fans, relax!
try being a j-law fan here... the shade starts at casting news!
and my two cents on amy: I find her over-rewarded (or nominated), but loved her in "arrival" (and the movie).
She's sitting confortably at #3, ahead of Bening, Huppert, Streep and Negga.
@ Jim, that's what I've been saying post-TIFF
Haven't seen Arrival or Loving yet - but, I'm glad that Adams was nominated for The Fighter - but happier that M.Leo actually won for that film. (People are probably soured by Leo's campaigning, but, whatever-it worked for her.)
I wish that Adams would do a Janis Joplin pic and get a win, but she's probably past the age gap.
I usually rewatch American Hustle just for Adam's performance.
Also, I think it's important to remember that the Academy has snubbed her before.
She was clearly close in 2014 for Big Eyes, winning the Globe and getting that BAFTA nomination, yet Marion Cotillard got the passion votes and knocked off her and Jennifer Aniston.
She tends to get nominated (like someone has mentioned previously) for actor-driven films. Doubt, The Fighter, and American Hustle were all true ensemble that the actor branch usually gravitates to. When she's nominated, her whole cast is usually nominated with her. That's not happening with Arrival, which for all its solid acting is not considered an "actor-driven" film.
Nathaniel's actressexuality is always the same.
First, it's OMG I LOVE HER!
Then, it's SHE'S OVEREXPOSED! STOP WORKING SO MUCH!
Then, occasionally, it's OMG CATEGORY FRAUD I HATE HER!
And then it's somewhere back towards the center.
One thing that makes Adams popular within her profession is that she's such a good acting partner.
No one looks bad when they're acting with Amy Adams. She gives her partner what they need for the scene, and together they give the scene more depth and nuance.
People like a colleague who makes them look good.
Adams just misses the nomination in my opinion. I think you overrate Streep, yes she is Streep but people are not talking about her film and Adams is recently been able to get nomitions the same rate as Streep and she has never won so she has that goodwill. And Arrivial is bigger deal than you think, it is talked about in awards and mainstream circles both with praise and is seems to have great hold on box office so it will be around to talk about for a while.
And while Bening is safer than Adams I have no clue why you ranking her 3rd and a lock. She is nowhere that.
I understand all of this, I truly do. And while I respected Adams in the past and found a few of her performances to be awards-worthy (Junebug, The Fighter, AH), she hasn't had a performance that transcended for me. Until now. This performance is Clementine Kruczynski-level awesome. It's easily best of the year regardless of gender. I think Villeneuve had a lot to do with it too and I am hoping beyond hope that he lands an extremely unlikely but greatly deserved nomination.
No matter that she has prior 6 nominations - Adams deserves this.
That's very unfair Ryan. While others may show this pattern of inconsistency in comments, I think Rogers has been very consistent in who he singles out for criticism, both in performance and behaviors. He gives credit where it's due, even for those actresses he doesn't particularly care for.
My favorite things about Arrival were the cinematography, score, sound, and direction. Outside of Picture, some technicals and maybe director, I don't see it. Amy was great but I'm not sure why everyone is so up on her for this. Although she did make it in for stuff like Doubt and American Hustle, so I guess anything is possible.
I'd be sad if Meryl doesn't get in for FFJ this year though. I can't imagine anyone else in that part.
Some of you need to get s life. This is movies. Not brain surgery!!! The hate here is palpable..
This blog site once was fun now it's like Hell.
"One thing that makes Adams popular within her profession is that she's such a good acting partner."
Yeah I think that's one of the main things I love about her. She's like the anti-Meryl in the way she's so selflessly engaged with every person and every thing around her, alive to every changing detail and always ready to build on it. Blanchett was so right in that Gothams speech - Adams is the best 'listener' in the business.
Looking ahead as of right this moment, and especially after Blanchett's speech, I don't see Adams missing out on a nomination in favour of someone unknown like Negga or even for Streep.
I don't see how Ampass' sci-fi-bias would figure in the slightest - Arrival isn't Deepwater Horizon, it's Gravity (but better).
And anyway, Amy Adams right now could star in Deepwater Horizon 2 and still have a decent chance at a nomination. They Love her almost as much as I Love her. She feels much more of a lock than either Huppert or Bening.
That said, I am far more invested in the latter two getting in. Amy will get many more shots at this award. Huppert and Bening - unfairly - probably won't. Plus their tiny indie films stand to benefit from the attention, and quality cinema depends on these kinds of films getting any attention they can get.
I'm heavily leaning toward the idea of Amy winning, tbh. People are going to see Arrival BECAUSE of her. It's a huge hit, she's campaigning her ass off, Hollywood royalty are hosting screenings for it left and right. Portman's chances are fading by the second, Negga's and Bening's films are DOA, and the one hurdle is Stone, which granted is a huge one to overcome, but if Amy can win the Drama Globe, give a knockout speech, and go on to win BAFTA (they love her), I could see the path being there.
Landon -- by definition you actually can't be DOA before you arrive ;) and 20th century women doesnt come over for three more weeks.
I am not on Team Adams. I am a Chastain stan. But I do think Adams will be nominated. Everyone I know is talking about her and Arrival.
Nathaniel, be careful when you write about Adams. Her stans are batsh!t CRAZY. I would not want to mess with them.
@Nat Ha, true! But the fact that neither of those films has a good chance of any other nominations (save for *maybe* Gerwig and Edgerton), while Arrival is a huge contender across the board and the movie of the moment, makes me think she'll have no problem getting in, right behind Stone and Portman.