With a slew of compelling parts for women, the Best Actress race is one serious showdown
Talk about a great year for women.
The Best Actress race is so abundant with complex roles in artfully made films that we no longer have to go searching for that brilliant performance in an otherwise unimpressive movie.
With standouts likeBrooklyn,Carol, and45 Years, to name just a few,Saoirse Ronan,Cate Blanchett, andCharlotte Ramplingdeliver riveting portrayals of a wide cross section of women within larger, beautifully painted canvases.
Credit: Paul Zimmerman/WireImage; Mike Marsland/WireImage; Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic
In fact, the field is so packed that arguably lead performances by actresses including Alicia Vikander inThe Danish Girland Rooney Mara inCarolhave been downgraded to supporting categories, with oddsmakers figuring chances of a win might be stronger in a less crowded field.
Even withEmily Blunts powerful turn as an overwhelmed FBI agent inSicario,Charlize Therons fearless depiction of a determined road warrior inMad Max: Fury Road, andSandra Bullocks committed performance as a cynical political operative inOur Brand Is Crisis not to mention stellar work fromCarey MulliganinSuffragette,Blythe DannerinIll See You in My Dreams, andLily TomlininGrandma this years front-runner status belongs to 26-year-oldBrie Larson.
Her devastating portrayal of Ma in the dark-horse contenderRoomhas catapulted the former Disney star and once-struggling sideliner into the spotlight, a position shes been handling with a grace and charm reminiscent of another fresh face whose emergence changed the conversation only a few years ago,Jennifer Lawrence.
And if anyone can rearrange the playing field, its Lawrence, the star of David O. Russells still-unseen filmJoy.
Will her performance charting 30 years in the life of a deeply driven entrepreneurial woman knock Larson off the leaderboard?
Anything can happen.
One thing is for sure: This year, watching each and every one of these major-league talents is a joy.
