She Comes Again
Five years ago I was pushing Melissa Leo as a Best Supporting Actress contender for her knockout performance as Benicio del Toro's partner in 21 Grams, but not enough people agreed so the the ball never got rolling. But now she's back in the arena with a striking performance as a poor single mom involved in illegal- immigrant smuggling in Frozen River (Sony Classics, 8.1). Karen Durbin has profiled Leo in this N.Y. Times piece, published today.
Times photo of Melissa Leo by Randy Harris.
HE reader Adam Davenport, who caught Frozen River six months ago at Sundance, feels that Leo's performance is "not just powerful [but] reminiscent of the blue-collar heroine rarely seen since the days of Sissy Spacek, Gene Rowlands and Sally Field. I think Ms. Leo may very well surprise a lot of people this year as she is an actor\'s actor and well-respected by her peers in the Academy and the reviews have been nothing less than stellar for her.
"A small gritty indie film that may attract serious award consideration for its lead thesp, Frozen River could be this year\'s Half Nelson, Away From Her, Transamerica, Monster's Ball, Hustle & Flow, Whale Rider or Maria Full of Grace. Given that in the past few years at least a few indies from Sundance each year have managed to get nominations, what other Sundance films are up for consideration this year other than Man on Wire and American Teen in documentary?
"I'm also sick of the same handful of actresses being nominated for the same awards every year, and it would be refreshing to see this underrated but deserving middle-aged actress break through finally after years of delivering consistently excellent performances. She should have been nominated for supporting in 21 Grams."
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 27, 2008 at 3:42 PM
comment #1
Arran says ...
Go buy some Homicide: Life on the Street box sets. Now.
Posted by Arran at July 27, 2008 4:17 PM
comment #2
BurmaShave says ...
I don't even remember her in 21 GRAMS, but then I hated that movie. Leo is a fine actress though, and was marvelous on HOMICIDE.
Posted by BurmaShave at July 27, 2008 4:22 PM
comment #3
The InSneider says ...
I third the above posters. Leo was awesome on Homicide. This is a fact I knew back in middle school. Also, I completely agree with Jeff's last graf. I'm so sick of the same people getting nommed every year. Is this going to be another year with Jolie (Changeling) and Blanchett (Ben Button)? Haven't seen Frozen River but I hear it's very good and that Leo is incredible in it.
Posted by The InSneider at July 27, 2008 4:39 PM
comment #4
BurmaShave says ...
Jolie hasn't received an Oscar nomination in 9 years, and was just snubbed big time last year. I also don't see how you can say she'd be following those previous indie nominees and then turn around and say the Academy always nominates the same people.
Posted by BurmaShave at July 27, 2008 4:50 PM
comment #5
Unison says ...
She might get a nomination, but I'm having a tough time envisioning a scenario where anyone but Winslet or Streep wins.
Posted by Unison at July 27, 2008 5:24 PM
comment #6
kingofnails says ...
I've seen Frozen River, and it's okay. Just good enough that you wish it was better. It's sort of schematic, and not terribly convincing in places. Leo is excellent in it, though.
Posted by kingofnails at July 27, 2008 6:44 PM
comment #7
Terry McCarty says ...
BurmaShave wrote:
I don't even remember her in 21 GRAMS, but then I hated that movie. Leo is a fine actress though, and was marvelous on HOMICIDE.
And also in Tommy Lee Jones' THREE BURIALS...
Posted by Terry McCarty at July 27, 2008 10:30 PM
comment #8
Richardson says ...
I shot a never-completed short film with Melissa Leo some years back, and she was wonderful to work with. I loved every minute of it. She made me, age 20, feel like a real director who was worth listening to.
And it goes without saying she gave a great performance... But, it's worth adding, she played a zombie for a day of shooting, and she really nailed it.
A wonderful actress who never gets the kudos she deserves. In fact, Jeff's campaign for her may have been what led me to keep coming back here at first.
Posted by Richardson at July 27, 2008 10:57 PM
comment #9
K. Bowen says ...
Between this and X-FIles/Gillian Anderson, it's like my favorite nineties TV shows and actresses comiing back for a visit.
Posted by K. Bowen at July 28, 2008 6:39 AM
comment #10
dd
says ...
I don't even remember her in 21 GRAMS, but then I hated that movie. Leo is a fine actress though, and was marvelous on HOMICIDE.
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