On Glenn Close's Oscar Curse
Monday, February 25, 2019 at 11:32AM by Nathaniel R
At this point in her long and celebrated career, Glenn Close surely has reason to wonder. Consider it a reverse Sally Field: 'You don't like me? You really don't like me?'
There are many familiar time-tested ways to win an Oscar and Glenn Close has tried them all. She's tried the debut performance that makes everyone's jaw drop with 'who is THAT?' wonder (World According to Garp). She's tried being the actor who becomes a kind of symbolic representation of an entire film and cast (The Big Chill). She's tried having the necessary momentum, twice actually, with three consecutive supporting nominations ending in The Natural early in her career, and then two consecutive lead nominations a few years later (ending with Dangerous Liaisons). She's tried having the kind of blockbuster zeitgeist hit that can carry you to win even when you aren't deserving though she certainly was (Fatal Attraction)...
She's tried giving the best nominated performance twice (Fatal Attraction & Dangerous Liaisons). She's tried the "comeback role" and the "personal passion project" (Albert Nobbs, her dream role, after a 23 year absence from Oscar contention while she reinvented her career elsewhere). This season she tried the "career achievement" route (The Wife) that's worked for dozens of actors and actresses whose performances were less impressive than what she delivered in The Wife.
Glenn Close has even tried the playing a real person route, inarguably Oscar's favourite actorly trick. It's worth noting -- and perhaps quite telling -- that when she did try their favourite way of winning, with Sunny von Bulow in Reversal of Fortune (1990), they didn't even nominate her.
An ill-fated tweet from yours truly early on Oscar evening:
Food Delivery Guy:
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) February 24, 2019
Me: Actresses wear gold when they think they're going to win -- look at Glenn Close !!! pic.twitter.com/EOmDISdPcN
As you know, your host here at The Film Experience (c'est moi) has been rooting for her to win the gold for over a year, been blurbed in support of her, chatted with her on a red carpet, and tweeted numerous times in her defense as he watched the internet pile on at various points with thinly veiled ageist and sexist remarks, the kind no male actor ever has to deal with (everytime someone made a joke or a glib dismissal like 'no one has seen The Wife' my blood boiled since nobody ever says that about an acclaimed male performance winning accolades and never said that about several acclaimed films this year that made far less at the box office than The Wife). In short this was the most painful Oscar loss I've experienced in years (in that she obviously had a great shot at a win), if not quite the size of the hurt I felt watching Viola Davis (The Help) lose to Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady), or the mammoth heart-stabbing that was Brokeback Mountain losing to Crash.
The only way off the depression ledge is to understand and perpetually remind oneself that she lost to an actually great performance, Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, in an actually great movie (The Favourite). This is easier to take than when a great actor loses to inferior work (as Close has a few times) but Close's seven losses, mean that it's not easy, just easier.
To those Glenn Close fans, hoping to gain some solace reading this, I have none but to remind you, as I remind myself, that great careers and great performances are their own rewards.
Glenn Close will never win a competitive Oscar.
Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer remain Oscarless. The 1980s are roughly the most brutal decade in terms of the superstar actresses of a particular era never winning. See also: Kathleen Turner and Debra Winger and Sigourney Weaver,
It's time to let that dream go and console ourselves with Close's multiple Tonys and Emmys. Glenn Close turns 72 next month and great roles are few and far between for actresses in their 70s. If any exist in the next decade they will also be offered to Meryl Streep instead, with the notable exception of the Sunset Blvd musical adaptation, if it's ever made but it's hard to win for musicals and people often have their knives out for that genre, and for films that can easily be unfavorably compared to all-time classics). In the history of the Oscars only five actresses older than Glenn Close is now have ever won gold: Ruth Gordon at 72 in Rosemary's Baby (1968), Josephine Hull at 74 in Harvey (1950), Katharine Hepburn at 74 in On Golden Pond (1981), Peggy Ashcroft at 77 in A Passage to India (1984, beating Glenn Close in The Natural), and Jessica Tandy at 80 in Driving Miss Daisy (1989).
Yes, Glenn Close has been Richard Burton'd and Peter O'Toole'd to history. But therein lies one final comforting note: That's hardly bad company to keep, the mutual talent and legacy being off the charts grand.
another ill-fated tweet:
Something I'd TOTALLY forgotten but is fascinating considering what came to be: Glenn Close presented Deborah Kerr with her Honorary Oscar. Close would eventually tie Kerr for "most female acting noms without a competitive win (6)"... and now we have THE WIFE, a 7th shot at gold! pic.twitter.com/CkpG3WXLxr
— Nathaniel Rogers (@nathanielr) February 24, 2019
Perhaps Oscar can take a cue from an earlier Oscar ceremony to finally give Close her due. Close famously gave Deborah Kerr her Honorary on stage, an actress, she has now surpassed as the woman with the most nominations to have never won. They should quickly repeat that history and hand Close her own Honorary.
Reader Comments (163)
@brandz "Why drag Meryl Streep into the conversation" (as Viola Davis is then dragged into the conversation).
Here’s the thing: I love Glenn Close and wanted her to win (last night and many times before), but Olivia Colman in The Favourite is one of those performances people would have looked back on ten years from now and thought “how did that NOT win?” So I think Oscar made the right call (maybe the only call they got right last night). This was Daniel Day-Lewis in THERE WILL BE BLOOD and Cate Blanchett in BLUE JASMINE levels of undeniable. I think Colman gave one of the ten best performances to ever win Best Actress; it’s one for the ages, folks.
As for Glenn, I’m not quite ready to give up hope entirely. I think she garnered a lot of good will and hype this awards season that will hopefully lead to some more good roles for her. And even if the Oscar never comes, she has cemented her place among the greats already.
There's no such thing as justice when it comes to awards, and Glenn's case only shows how pointless they are. Mahershala Ali just won his second one, which to me is a pure absurd.
Francis Lee wants to work with her:
https://twitter.com/strawhousefilms/status/1100140416219996160?s=19
Nothing much to add, but I do think it was because The Favourite was nominated and liked more, and because The Wife was inferior. As for the psychology of the members, they chose Rami Malek for a poor film, so it does make you wonder why Glenn can never seal the deal.
Glenn is still alive and kicking. We don’t know what is in store for her in the future. Maybe she will win next year or the year after that. Maybe not.
This pity party has to end. We should be thankful we have been introduced to an amazing actress like Olivia Colman. She is a gifted actress and the movies need more actresses like her. I want to celebrate her victory and I hope this site too. It is really disappointing that this site has not done it.
We already have Emma Thompson, there's no need for this Colman woman, now an Oscar thief.
Is it because,as some of you say, her peers dislike her or is it because they believed Olivia Colman delivered a better performance? It must be one or the other. If not, what is it?
It is QUITE possible it's both. There's 8000+ members. The membership is not a monolith. Look no further that the screenplay awards. The people who voted for GREEN BOOK to win Best Original Screenplay are not the same people who voted for BLACKKKLANSMAN for Best Adapted Screenplay.
I think Glenn Close is going to win a competitive Oscar.
I think what happened this year will open more doors for her in the sense that good work will be forwarded her way. We won't have to wait for another nomination as long as we did last time (7 years between The Wife and Albert Nobbs).
People are living healthier lives for a longer period of time now. This places Glenn Close in a good position for an Oscar win. Bening, Weaver, Pfeiffer as well.
What annoys me is that The Wife was both a wonderful movie and wonderful performance.
Now was the time to win an overdue Oscar for a performance that deserved to win.
@Ryan T and to all other posters
Is there any proof that her peers dislike Glenn? Perhaps some people think she is disliked because she appears tough or unfriendly or distant or whatever. I have yet to read an article that says she is not liked.
@Sawyer
Both Meryl Streep and Viola Davis were brought into the comments section early on. Nathaniel brought them both up in his original post. The Meryl Streep trope of too many nominations, too many wins, getting all the female roles is getting quite tired. TBH, I can't wait until Meryl wins again!
@goodbar
Did you watch the Oscars last night? It's obvious she's hated.
@jows I did watch and there is not one instance did I detect any dislike towards Glenn whatsoever. Could you englighten me?
Geraldine Page won on her 8th nomination. But I just checked imdb and she was in her 60s when she won it. Glenn is 71 - about to turn 72 - and she has no meaty acting roles in 2019 (according to imdb).
The Academy should do what they did to Henry Fonda and Paul Newman. Both men got honorary awards the year before they won their 'competitive' / 'body of work' oscars.
So in 2020, give Glenn an honorary award - and FFS televise it on the main telecast - and then if Sunset Boulevard is made with her - give her the oscar in 2021.
@goodbar
More than a celebration of Colman, last night was a very clear rejection of Close. She had everything going for her, yet, still not enough. Total humiliation of her persona and legacy.
While watching the telecast I noticed that whenever the Favourite was mentioned, the audience hardly clapped. And when it lost the costume, production and original screenplay, I thought - it's going to walk away with NOTHING ( equalling true grit with 10 noms and no wins).
And when Frances opened the envelope and read out Olivia. I was so hoping it was another Moonlight / La la land mistake.
Not saying Olivia didn't give a great performance - but I still felt she was supporting.
But then again, Maherasha Ali was a co-lead and they dumped him in supporting , so what do I know about this sort of stuff.
I still reckon the majority of the actors branch was stunned last night including Frances McDormand (go watch her open the envelope, process what she had to say and fight down any emotion)
Actors may love Colman's performance but they were there for Glenn. The rest of the academy failed to get the memo
Obviously, statistics show that Oscars for women in their 70s and 80s are rare, but the Geraldine Page factor gives me hope for a few reasons, despite the differences in their situations that you pointed out already.
1) Like Page, Close is an "actors' actor" who is widely respected by her peers. Close and Page put themselves on the map through talent and love of their craft, above all other factors. Close is still a unique specimen in that sense.
2) Page once said, "I'm an *interesting* performer. I can't say that I'm great, but I can say that I'm always interesting." That was paraphrased from memory, but Close occupies a very similar space in the industry, in my opinion (although obviously I consider each of them legitimately great). She is unafraid to go big, and she has incredible control, even when she seems out of control. Close, like Page, will always have the capacity to shine brighter than the competition when given the right role.
3) Although Page was only 62 when she died, she did play an "elderly woman" in Bountiful. Also, I obviously can't speak from personal experience and don't want to minimize the hardships women face in the industry, but it seems like things have changed enough that there is at least a little more hope now for an actress in her 70s than there would have been through the end of the 20th century. I'm probably being naive, though, and obviously this is still a huge hurdle, unfortunately.
4) One advantage Close has over Page is that she has won 3 Tonys, unlike Page who was nominated for 4 but never actually won. Even though Page was a legend, and even though she was loved and respected within the industry, she didn't receive nearly as much public notice as Close has. Close is not just a critical darling and has a larger audience overall.
Basically, just like Page, Close has always had and will continue to have the capacity to surprise and impress. This is clearly not the last we've seen of Close, and I think her ability to be unique and to make lasting impressions will carry her there. My biggest hope is that someone will write a role specifically for her, like Horton Foote did for Page in Bountfiul. I want to see her have the chance to show us every bit of her range. I too loved the Wife and felt her performance was worthy of the gold, but it was also very subtle. It wasn't a trademark Close moment. But there is still time. She clearly has more performances left in her.
@jows
Yes. Glenn lost, but Olivia’s victory wasn’t a clear rejection of Glenn nor was her legacy and persona humiliated. I just do not believe that Glenn is not liked by her peers. There is no proof whatsoever. Ths is simply a conspiracy theory that shouldn’t be propagated. Perhaps Glenn lost because Olivia gave the better performance? I believe that’s how it happened. It had nothing to do with Glenn. The Academy wanted to recognize Olivia. We should do that too. Celebrate her.
Her ship has sailed. I don't think they dislike her, but they definitely don't dig her enough to give her an Oscar. Sunset Boulevard does not have a start date, and now it's an even harder sell. I would guess the odds of Glenn ever winning a competitive Oscar (let alone being nominated again) are roughly 1 in 100 billion. Sadly, this also applies to Pfeiffer, Adams, Weaver, Pfeiffer, Winger, Turner, etc. It's very hard to win an Oscar.
Everytime the "Academy" (straight, white, useless, old white men) sees Glenn Close, they see Alex Forrest. Too strong, too intimidating, too independent, too smart, etc. She reminds them of their past jilted mistresses that they don't want to fuck anymore. That's why she lost. If they can reward Julianne Moore for the awful "Still Alice," there was no reason to snub Close now. So embarrassing and horrible. I've yet to see what this great and diverse new membership has done to make better winners. They're as shitty as they've ever been.
I’m devasted.....I turn off the tv as soon as I heard the name Olivia
Lesson. She needs to play a real life character. Maybe playing British Prime Minister Theresa May can be Glenn Close's ticket.
I also think she's going to win a competitive one. And in the next five years or so too. I feel like this gives her more momentum than a win would have to get better roles.
I am so done over mediocre TV people trying their hand at movies and instantly be rewarded by the Oscar for a servicable performance at their first nom.
While real movie stars are continually giving great performances and be taken for granted. BITCHES NEED TO WAKE TF UP.
WE RESPECT AMY ADAMS AND GLENN CLOSE HERE!!!
GIVE THEM THEIR OSCARS!!!!!
Close should have won for "Dangerous Liasons"
It’s actually karma. If she had the Sunset Blvd in preproduction the universe would have allowed her the win. Also Colman was more deserving and doesn’t have the clout and connections to hustle up the role of a lifetime.
Nathanial, you’ve accidentally included an erroneous statement: “Glenn Close will never win a competitive Oscar.”. Please remove this false statement. Many regards, The Editor.
I love Coleman in The Favourite and am wholeheartedly glad she won.
i adore glenn close but let's lighten up: she's been constantly working in a fickle business for forty years, has been acclaimed in film, theatre and television, has more money than all of us put together, appears to be in good health, can still get it, has a loving daughter and a happy dog
having another tchotchke on her mantle is not a tragedy
Glenn has been a good sport about it, but psychically it must be draining for her. She had her previous losses, 40 pound gold dress, and winner confidence all ultimately dragging her down. It's a sad lesson to learn that there are no guarantees in life. I confess that I never liked her.
So many posts!
Well, many Academy members may have thought others were going to vote for Close, so they voted elsewhere thinking she'd win. If nominated again and considered a frontrunner, this mistake won't happen again.
The Wife was a stifled movie. If better executed, it would have been a different turnout. Close apparently was assaulted with praise at the Oscar after parties by Spielberg and a host of other A-Listers, so she may get some work out of all that 'networking'.
Saying she can't win an Oscar at this point is jumping the gun. It's not over till it's over. I don't see the fat lady singing yet.
Colman was supporting, and Ali was lead. Category fraud is unacceptable. It's basically cheating. It's not fair to other actors/actresses vying for a spot. Chalamet could have gotten in, or Kidman or Foy.
When I think of the nominations last night for best actress (minus Colman as supporting), none of them will stand out in 30 years time as being a 'Fatal Attraction' or 'Sophie's Choice', so why not award Close? It was an equal playing field, with Close giving a very nuanced performance that would have been celebrated 30 years ago.
We live in a digital era where people don't really listen without drifting off mentally to a different place and then returning to the conversation half-baked but pretending to be fully engulfed in the discussion. I see it every day at work, and it's not always easy to detect. But ... given multiple interactions with the same people over time, the lack of focus to detail and lower work ethic become blazingly apparent.
Why am I saying all this? Because Close's performance in The Wife, like in Albert Nobbs, has been severely misunderstood by some viewers. They can't navigate her intent in the roles or the depth she brought to them. Olivia Colman was great, but it was a showier role with terrific writing that other capable actresses could have pulled off, as someone else on this site suggested. The Wife COULD NOT have been as effective in too many other actresses' hands, hence the Oscar nomination and multiple awards for Close.
Yes, the movie was marred, but her performance was masterful. To exude so much emotion through years of sacrifice nonverbally looked easy on camera because Close MADE it look easy. I dare any of the commenters on this site claiming Close didn't do much to try it. You'll probably fail ... and miserably I might add. She's a pro and a true thespian.
In closing, a former schoolmate of hers noted how Close always elevated everybody else around her in her college days both on and off stage. This was NOT a close friend of Glenn Close - just a former schoolmate. So, I, for one, appreciate the dedication and analysis of a character Close brings to whatever project she's attached to and hope she continues to act for at least another decade. She admires Dench, who is also a hard worker, so I'm confident she'll do just that. She does have a couple of projects on deck and in mind.
par: The Oscar wouldn't just be another "tchotchke on her mantle." It's the fucking Oscar Close has dreamed of for 40 years. Don't be disingenuous. It's sickening that she lost in the manner that she lost. The Academy should be ashamed of itself for this shit.
@ Paulie ... I think I love you! And I concur - the Academy f***** up this time royally!!
The gays are so dramatic hahahah.
Like, yeah I'm upset too, but some of y'all need reality checks on what's important in life.
Stop calling Olivia Colman an Oscar thief, she didn't have any power of her winning, and the only solace in this situation is that a fantastic actress/performance/movie won.
I really thought it was Glenn's Still Alice moment, but I can tell she took the loss better than you all are.
And she could still win. Maybe she will, maybe she won't. We know nothing about the future. The pity party is pathetic, though.
I wish she had won, and sure I think it's unjust, but the drama of it all is ridiculous. lmao. At the end of the day these awards are not that serious.
@ Phillip ... You're right, but I think people are upset because it extends to the real world as well. Celebrities are public figures that we all recognize. We all see daily sh** in our lives that doesn't need to happen, and we see others suffer because of it unjustly. Fairness is more than capable. So, in a public forum such as the Oscars or whatever, we want to see some form of equity. Yes, Colman was great in a SUPPORTING role, as was Ali in a LEAD role. The other nominees, for the most part were deserving. In that case, you look at the narrative to make a decision. This time around, it was Close's narrative that should have propelled her forward. Hers was the strongest. I'm sure the other FIRST- or SECOND-time nominees would agree without feeling 'robbed'. It's no different than in our real lives when we see foul play. We want to see some form of balance somewhere in the world on a bigger stage. Sure, we'll keep pushing for a better world regardless of the bigger affairs (like the Oscars, ie), but it would still be nice to see it happen elsewhere on a grander scale. However, I understand your point of view completely. What can I say, some of us are just too passionate for our own goods!
If Colman was "supporting" (although the majority I've seen say lead, other few saying supporting, but never without the word borderline)and still creamed the lead competition, more power to her. Punching up ain't bad. Worry about fixing those with an unfair advantage, leads as supporting, first.
I'm not giving up hope on her. I always thought that she will tie Geraldine Page in nominations and wins. And now she is among the ten most nominated actresses in Oscar history(joining Greer Garson, Jane Fonda, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet with 7 nods) , but the only one without a win. And this will change. This must change.
Well Nathaniel, I just don't know when you turned into such a Meryl Streep hater, which makes me very sad. :(
I am beyond sad! And pissed off! Glenn Close was amazing in The Wife.
But maybe this situation is a start of her next step. Directors and artists lining up to work with Close. Time will tell
Close and Bening are inevitable competitive Oscar winners. I had the same feeling about Moore. Pfeiffer is a 50/50, if Sigourney starts getting supporting roles in high profile flicks from big directors, her prestige and respect will be pushed to the front of minds, then baity role in mid sized film, we’ll see.
Judging by the reactions would hate to see this thread if Gaga had won 😂
@Philip H.: So only the "gays" can be upset over last night's Oscar tomfoolery? Take your homophobic ass elsewhere.
How humiliating to be in that gold dress, assuming that you’ll have an Oscar to compliment it, and then having nothing. I hope she had a change of clothing for the after parties.
In regards to the whole Category Fraud situation, you almost feel that the Academy can pre-see the winners that they ‘need’ in order to show that they are such an inclusive & ‘diverse’ organization. Had Olivia been properly placed in Supporting and Ali in Lead and the outcomes were different, Close, Colman, Rami and Grant all winning-we’re no longer allowed to celebrate these achievements. but must immediately lament the fact that the only diversity there is an Egyptian male...
D.J. Sounded like a joke, what with gay Twitter epitomising the over the top reaction to Glenn losing on what won’t be her last nomination. Your comment was super dramatic
I do agree that Glenn Close really needs to play a Real, Historical person to actually win.
I will mourn for Close's 7th defeat as if the news were equivalent to her actual death. If you don't like it multiple posters stay out of this topic.
What a load of rubbish
"The Academy must HATE Glenn Close"
Yes, that's why she's been nominated SEVEN TIMES!!!
That's why she's been nominated for more Oscars than Golden Globes, even though the Globes have more nomination slots available
That's why she has Seven Oscar nominations compared to TWO BAFTA nominations.
Yep, the Academy must REALLY hate her.
Compare that to Rosalind Russell who WON FIVE Golden Globes, but was only nominated for FOUR Oscars.
This is what it looks like when the Academy hates an Actress!
Give people more than a damn two days before the obnoxious "get over it, already!" posts start to clog up these threads.