While Natalie Portman hasn’t won any of the major critics awards it seems that Hollywood is in love with her take on Jackie. Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon hosted screenings of the film this week in her honor, and Tom Hanks presented her Palm Springs award calling Portman “unknowable but authentic”. Her speech included a funny and heartwarming anecdote about her grandmother that will endear her to many if she were to repeat it when she wins this Sunday.

When my grandmother moved to Palestine from Romania in the late 1930s, she and her roommate shared one dress and they had to take turns who could go out for the day. The other one would stay home in bed in their underwear while one friend got to be out working wearing their one dress, so I think it would tickle her to know that I got to play the best-dressed woman in the world.

Emma Stone, you in danger, girl.

Mahershala Ali had a great week, accepting awards in Palm Springs and NY. Even when he wasn’t accepting an award he was presenting one, as he did to his co-star Naomie Harris at the National Board of Review. In his Palm Springs speech he paid honor to his father whose work as understudy in theater went unrecognized, while acknowledging that it feels strange for him to be honored.

I'm not accustomed to receiving individual honors... the work has always been its own reward.

If he continues to be as humble and charming, there will no stopping him. Even if Jeff Bridges bests him at the Golden Globes, which could happen since they are known for loving big stars.

Ali's director, Barry Jenkins had his own busy week. Honored as best director by both New York critics and the aforementioned National Board of Review, he had a couple of chances to share his thoughts. Unsurprisingly he was generous and effusive in acknowledging the two other directors with whom he shares frontrunner status, La La Land's Damien Chazelle and Manchester by the Sea’s Kenneth Lonergan. He didn’t shy away from mentioning, in his acceptance speech at NBR, that he was the first African American to be honored by the group in that category. It's the kind of message that can sway things Jenkins' way in a tight race.

I'm going to take this honor as a symbol of being considered. [] I want to acknowledge this because as we make America great again, let's remember some of the inconsiderable things in our legacy, because there was a time when somebody like me was not considered.

And finally Portman wasn’t the only contender to get celebrity endorsements.

 

Meryl Streep came out to honor Viola Davis at her Hollywood Walk of Fame celebration. Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black wrote a tribute to Lion. Everyone is trying to get attention. Which of these endorsements or speeches do you think will matter most?