Halfway Mark: Best Actressing of 2016 (Thus Far)
Friday, July 8, 2016 at 10:29PM 
Previously at the Halfway Mark:
• 5 Favorite Pictures and imaginary Oscar scenario
• 11 Costume Design Honors from couture to the puritanical with swimwear on the side
• Cinematography & Production Design Sunset Song, etc...
• Heroes & Villains from Deadpool to Shere Khan
• 23 Male Actor Honorees in 5 categories
Cue fireworks. It's the grand finale. Our brief Halfway Mark Review honoring the best of the 50+ movies we've seen that have been released between January 1st and June 30th, is now at its end. But don't worry. The listing impulse fully never goes away and there's more excitement soon as we'll start updating the Oscar charts tomorrow. Naturally we're ending with BEST ACTRESS if five categories -- the same categories we previously did for the men.
If I had a ballot (hey, I do... albeit not an AMPAS ballot) here's what I'd honor from the year thus far -- January through June releases only though I've seen some July & August titles. [Disclaimer: The most noticeably actress-led film I haven't yet seen this year is The Meddler so please dont read anything into the absence of Susan Sarandon.]
Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Sally Field as "Doris" in Hello My Name is Doris
Doris is a CHARACTER but Sally never fails to humanize her written eccentricities making sure that she's the endearing source of the laughter rather than its target. - Tilda Swinton as "Marianne Lane" in A Bigger Splash
The "vocal rest" was her idea -- imagine an actor purposefully losing all their lines! -- and the result is you see Tilda's face and body alone capturing and reflecting the drama and auteurist impulses - Anya Taylor-Joy as "Thomasin" in The VVitch
That angelic face is sensually attentive and her behavior innocent but mischievious. So many possible Masters (God, Lucifer, Herself, General Teen Hormones, and Restlessness) - Rachel Weisz as "Short Sighted Woman" The Lobster
What a tricky tone to master, but she's in control. Her voiceover is beautifully at odds with her meekly submissive than overtly romantic screen self - Mary Elizabeth Winstead as "Michelle" in 10 Cloverfield Lane
Sells shifting (dis)belief in this strange new reality while doing right by primal horror. Nails the only real in-script details about this character -- whip-smart instincts and a "Flight or Flight" response
Choices in 4 more categories after the jump...
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Toni Collette as "Jean" in Glassland
After so many recent thankless roles it's thrilling to watch her tear into such a complex character. She's harrowing and haunted as this severe alcoholic mother - Olivia Colman as "Hotel Manager" in The Lobster
This actress has such tremendous range. This time it's all deadpan comedy and corporate dehumanization. And the singing! - Kate Dickie as "Katherine" in The VVitch
Fearlessly attacks the films most emotive character with the film's biggest emotions, her lack of vanity makes this woman's utter grief, damning piety - Chloë Sevigny as "Alicia Johnson" in Love & Friendship
A wonderfully funny Mean Girl take on an expat wife. Bonus Points for that tremendous chemistry with her Queen Bee co-star Lady Susan (Kate Beckinsale). - Antonia Zegers as "Hermana Mónica" in The Club
It was between Antonia and Angeliki Papouli's "Heartless Woman" in The Lobster for "most bone-chilling performance on the side". Flipped a coin and it came up Zegers as the enable of deviant priests in this Chilean drama
Best Actress in a Limited or Cameo or Voice Role
- Emily Beecham as "Dierdre" in Hail Caesar!
Beautifully plays old Hollywood acting with contemporary appeal frustration in the movie's best scene - Christina Hendricks as "Roberta Hoffman" in Neon Demon
She still holds that camera in a death grip, this time as an intimidating modelling executive. We thank Refn again for giving Christina Hendricks work and a great hard punchline to her scene. But where are the big meaty roles for her super watchable self? WHERE?!? We're now in the 8th year of maisntream Hollywood refusing to acknowledge her completely obvious stardom! - Frances McDormand as "C.C. Calhoun" in Hail Caesar!
She doesn't have much to do as a chainsmoking film editor but she's great fun all the same - Veronic Osorio as "Carlotta Valdez" in Hail Caesar!
Wonderfully endearing in her studio-arranged date as a Carmen Miranda type - Jenny Slate as "Bellwether" in Zootopia
One of our best voice actresses - similarly genius as "Tammy" Bob's Burgers.
Breakthrough Performer
- Lucy Boynton as "Raphina" in Sing Street
In lesser hands this would be the stock pixie dream girl but her vulnerability, self-sabotage, and challenging gaze refuse to play it like that. - Bella Heathcote as "Jane Bennett" in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies AND "Gigi" in Neon Demon
She's good as the traditionally rootable-for shy Bennett sister but she's even better as the routinely confidence-wounded beauty in Refn's sick style-fest - Royalty Hightower as "Toni" in The Fits
The camera finds a fascinating subject / star in this engaging unpretentious young actress who watches everything just as intently as the camera watches her - Anya Taylor-Joy, The VVitch
(See also: Best Leading Actress) - Madison Wolfe as "Janet Hodgson" in The Conjuring 2
Holds the center of this demonic nightmare as a young girl who can't sleep and also can't imagine what's happening to her
Technically speaking Bella Heathcote is a stretch since she had what was meant to be a big showcase in Dark Shadows (2012) but she was flat in that, more of a pretty prop than a breakthrough especially with Eva Green running circles around everything and everyone else in the movie (even the A-listers Depp and Pfeiffer). But with her one-two punch this year, especially in Neon Demon (for all that film's outrageous problems and campy provocations) she has completely changed my mind about the extent of her gifts. Can't wait to see what she does next.
The Hotness
- Emayatzy Corinealdi as "Frances Taylor" in Miles Ahead
The movie may be a mess and her role the typical long-suffering wife, but she's totally got it as this sensual dancer who marries a troubled musician. Plus it's good to see her getting work post Middle of Nowhere breakout. - Gal Gadot as "Wonder Woman" in Batman v Superman
So much was riding on her impression and she made a big one. That brassy I'VE ARRIVED theme music surely helped - Dakota Johnson as "Penelope Lannier" in A Bigger Splash
Impressive range in her three main roles thus far and for the first time she's playing a character who is as sexually charged as her image sometimes is - Marilyn Lima as "George" in Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story)
The most sympathetic girl in this tough-minded movie about teenage sexual abandon - Blake Lively as "Nancy" in The Shallows
Just the right amount of star-engagement and confidence in her formidable physique as she throws down with big waves and a big shark
What did you make of these choices and would your list(s) be similar?
Can any of these 24 women enter any kind of awards conversation besides our own?
Reader Comments (39)
YES! to Olivia Colman. Her and Ben Whishaw were my favourite performances in that film.
Where's Jena Malone for The Neon Demon in supporting?
I can feel my Netflix queue fill just looking at this. I'm surprised not to see Binoche for L'Attesa-that was a splendid duet and I'm pretty sure you're a fan. Not feeling it or still waiting to see?
In terms of award season later this year, I think Field is a Globe nominee but that's about it-it's looking like a lot of films on the back half this year.
/3rtful -- those are my five favorites but there were about 7 other ladies wanting in on the list.
John T -- i haven't seen L'Attesa. this is the first i'm hearing of it which always freaks me out because i pay so much attention to movies but somehow there are movies i never hear about (or dont remember hearing about). did it open in the states this year?
L'attesa has good Binoche but GREAT Lou de Laage. It's Oscilloscope, too, and I know you loved their releases Embrace of the Serpent and The Fits, so give it a shot!
My list would include :
ACTRESS
Min-hee Kim, Right Now, Wrong Then
Susan Sarandon, The Meddler
Léa Seydoux, Diary of a Chambermaid
Kalieaswari Srinivasan, Dheepan
Rachel Weisz, The Lobster
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Lucy Boynton, Sing Street
Olivia Colman, The Lobster
Elizabeth Laidlaw, Henry Gamble's Birthday Party
Léa Seydoux, The Lobster
Antonia Zegers, The Club
with Robin Bartlett & Sarah Sutherland of Chronic and Molly Plunk & Kristin Slaysman of Little Sister waiting in the wings whenever their movies open.
I know it was a blink-and-you-miss-it release, but seriously see KRISHA once you can!
Great lists ... the only one I personally do not care for is Sally Field
I love that you included the girl from Sing Street ...I would love to see them get an ensemble award.
Nathaniel-yes, it was released briefly in arthouses in late April (we got in Minnesota in May). As Simone points out, both Binoche and Lou de Laage as the two leads are excellent and it falls into the "a woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets" category of cinema. I think you'd enjoy it!
Good call on Emily Beecham, she was a delight. That whole scene is hysterical, "would that i twere so simple."
BEST ACTRESS
Sally Field, "Hello, My Name is Doris"
Susan Sarandon, "The Meddler"
Kate Beckinsale, "Love & Friendship"
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, "10 Cloverfield Lane"
Krisha Fairchild, "Krisha"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSS
Toni Collette, "Glassland"
Jena Malone, "The Neon Demon"
Lea Seydoux, "The Lobster"
Olivia Colman, "The Lobster"
Kate Dickie, "The Witch"
BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED CAMEO OR VOICE ROLE
Veronica Osario, "Hail, Caesar!"
Ellen DeGeneres, "Finding Dory"
Christina Hendricks, "The Neon Demon"
Ginnifer Goodwin, "Zootopia"
Frances McDormand, "Hail, Caesar!"
The lack of roles for Hendricks is criminal
ACTRESS
Susan Sarandon, The Meddler
Rachel Weisz, The Lobster
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Lucy Boynton, Sing Street
Olivia Colman, The Lobster
I haven't seen as many films as you have, but I couldn't leave Sarandon off the list of best actress.
Why have I not heard of this Toni Collette film? She's one of the most underrated of all time.
Adore Weisz and Ashley Jensen in The Lobster. That lovely film is full of terrific performances.
Your list is a little light on the Beckinsale! (But almost makes up for it with the glowing Christina Hendricks write-up.)
Oh, and I love Veronica Osorio in Hail Caesar; glad she popped for you too.
I am going to be very impressed with performances this year if Rachel Weisz doesn't land in my top five leading performances of 2016. Very impressed indeed.
Kate Dickie turns in one of the best horror film performances of all time as the mother in The Witch. Phenomenal work.
And, yes, Christina Hendricks needs to claim her throne as a Hollywood superstar.
#filmbitchawardssowhite
Marcelo -- whenever complaining about such things it's a good time to offer some other black and latino and asian performers in fine films you'd recommend instead. It's more productive. and I love it when people share their own lists.
these are the best i saw in these categories from the 50+ films i saw that were released and sorry that black, white, and latino performers from 7 different countries isn't enough diversity for you. ;)
Mike -- i wish i liked Beckinsale's performance a little more. She's good. But for me it wasn't quite great.
Brookesboy -- probably because it had the tiniest tiniest tiniest release. a holdover from festivals last fall.
LadyEdith -- i'll definitely catch Meddler when it's available to me again.
John T -- i could also see Field happening for a Globe nom. But you never know. Sometimes they have long memories, sometimes they dont
I haven't heard about L'attesa either and I am a diehard Binoche fan? Where did it come from?
Holy cow, our Lead Actress ballots are almost identical. Instead of Weisz, I have Ellen DeGeneres for Finding Dory.
Here's my Supporting Actress ballot:
Tyne Daly, Hello, My Name Is Doris
Kate Dickie, The Witch
Dakota Johnson, A Bigger Splash
Jena Malone, The Neon Demon
Lea Seydoux, The Lobster
Have you not seen The Meddler?
I'm so surprised Kate Beckinsale isn't on this list but thank you for validating my idea that Weisz is a lead in The Lobster! And I love your love for The Witch, which is kinda falling from favor in memory but the acting is stellar. I'd be really interested to see your runner-up lists.
Thank Heavens I wasn't being dense thinking how great Colman is in The Lobster (and I actually didn't recognize her immediately). You nailed why, so I won't even bother.
KStew would be here if she were eligible, yes?
This is where I am currently...
Actress:
Sally Field, Hello My Name is Doris
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch
Robin Weigert, Take Me to the River
Kate Beckinsale, Love & Friendship
Kalieaswari Srinivasan, Dheepan
Supporting Actress
Kate Dickie, The Witch
Olivia Colman, The Lobster
Angourie Rice, The Nice Guys
Angeliki Papoulia, The Lobster
Jena Malone, The Neon Demon
I actually thought Sevigny was sort of awful in L&F?
Yay for Winstead. I've never liked her much elsewhere but she is impressive in 10 Cloverfield Lane that is for sure.
I want to watch the Lobster because I like the actors, concept and trailer but man did I find Dogtooth dreadful after seeing it after reading about it (here probably!). As such I'm about as likely to see The Lobster as I am to put my dick on a cutting board while a stranger is holding a knife next to me.
For all it's worth, The Conjuring 2 has an impressive amount of actressing with Wolfe, Frances O'Connor and the always superb Vera Farmiga.
I hope Dakota Johnson doesn't fizzle out in the years to come like her mother.
Best Actress
Tilda Swinton - Bigger Splash
Rachel Weisz - The Lobster
Mary Elizabeth Winstead - 10 Cloverfield Lane
Catherine Frot - Marguerite
Kate Beckinsale - Love and Friendship
Best Supporting Actress
Lucy Boynton - Sing Street
Angourie Rice - The Nice Guys
Chloe Sevigny - Love and Friendship
Olivia Colman - The Lobster
Jena Malone - Neon Demon
I love your praise for the three ladies from Hail, Caesar! I thought all three of them made a vivid impression with a limited amount of screen time.
Anonny, The Lobster is nowhere near as graphic and disturbing as Dogtooth. There are a few brief shock scenes with gore, but most of it is human relations, paranoia, and Rachel Weisz' unsettling voice over work.
No love for Julianne Moore in Maggie's Plan? Her performance was hilarious and truly original.
Chloë Sevigny and Toni Collette are criminally underused and underrated. More plum roles for them now, please!
Among your Best Actress candidates, I've seen all but Swinton. Enjoyed each of them except for Field. I certainly agree the woman's a charmer - but the film used her gifts (and her charm) so unevenly that - in the end - both performance and film made for a pretty bumpy ride. One minute affecting, the next off-puttingly cartoonish. Am sorry Beckinsale only registered as good but not great with you. For me, her work was revelatory. And my fingers are firmly crossed that she winds up a nominee come Oscar time.
My choices so far:
Actress: KATE BECKINSALE "Love and Friendship"
MARY ELIZABETH WINSTEAD "10 Cloverfield Lane"
EMMA THOMPSON "The Legend of Barney Thomson"
ANYA TAYLOR-JOY "The Witch"
Supporting Actress: KATE DICKIE "The Witch"
JEMMA REDGRAVE "Love and Friendhship"
I saved this to read from yesterday, and I just got back from seeing 'The Fits' - the first thing I thought is that Hightower better be on here somewhere. And she is! Sadly the only movies I've seen of the other ones mentioned are 'Hail Caesar!', 'The Lobster', and I love the actresses you mentioned here (as well as Angeliki Papoulia as Heartless Woman, Lea Seydoux as the leader of the loners, Jessica Barden as Nosebleed Woman, and Ariane Labed as the maid, although I think Colman is the best supporting performance of the lot).
You have convinced me to put on my screener of GLASSLAND.
Not all that much has struck my particular fancy so far in terms of lead and supporting actresses, although Zhoa Doa in MOUNTAINS MAY DEPART, Winstead in 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE, and Kate Dickie in THE WITCH made big impressions that'll keep them in the year-end conversation for me. I although thought Odessa Young made a big impact with her one-two debut punch of THE DAUGHTER and LOOKING FOR GRACE.
I, too, loved Beecham and Osorio in their small roles in HAIL, CAESAR! although I was less taken by McDormand.
The Lobster and the Witch are going to age very very well I think and in no small part thanks to the female performances. Such delights.
I'm not saying this is not fun and useful, but I'd refer to see more frequent updates of the actual predictions.
So much yes to all actresses involved in The Witch. Also a special shoutout to Black Phillip for being such an uber creep! Great cast! Glad to see them on your list!
***Angeliki Papoulia, The Lobster***
Hell yeah! Now there is an Oscar nom that will never ever in a million years happen, both because she's completely unknown in the US and, geez, the role. But the film needed an actress who wouldn't budge an inch from her position. Damn does she hold her landing.