Winslet Muddle

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If even someone like myself is feeling a wee bit confused about the categorizing of one of Kate Winslet's award-worthy performances, surely the average Academy voter is also. Tonight she won the SAG award for Best Supporting Actress for The Reader, although she's (a) been Oscar-nominated for that same performance in the Best Actress category, (b) recently won a Golden Globe Best Actress / Drama award for her acting in Revolutionary Road and yet (c) also won a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress trophy for The Reader.

After tonight's honor who is even half-sure which category Winslet's Reader performance belongs in? (There's no question that her Revolutionary Road performance is a lead.) I for one am thoroughly befuddled. And that is why I'm starting to wonder if Meryl Streep's SAG award for Best Actress in Doubt may have given her a distinct advantage over Winslet in the Best Actress Oscar race. Because there is no ambiguity about Streep. Her Doubt performance has always been considered a Best Actress thing -- no ifs, ands or buts.

Envelope columnist Pete Hammond wrote tonight that Winslet's loss to Streep in SAG's lead actress race "was not a surprise" because "SAG wasn't gonna give Kate two of them. Revolutionary Road is not a popular picture among many voters, and Streep was the clear beneficiary. The two winning performances will now go head to head on an even playing field, and it will be interesting to see if Streep's joyous, infectious and altogether charming acceptance at SAG wins her any new converts and turns the best actress Oscar race into a genuine contest.

"Streep's triumphant run to the stage and her unbridled enthusiasm would make you think this was the first time the 15 time Oscar nominee and two time winner had ever gotten an award. The SAG showcase and heartfelt standing ovation is gonna register. She hasn't won an Oscar in 27 years. If Miramax can get that across, it's a horse race."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on January 25, 2009 at 11:49 PM

comment #1

The InSneider says ...

As far as I see it, this is Streep's Oscar to lose. I think Kate might've won had she been nommed for Revolutionary Road but there's no question in my mind that Streep gave a better, or at least more Oscar-worthy performance in Doubt than Winslet's in The Reader. In fact, I'd say Hathaway has a better chance than Winslet.

Posted by The InSneider at January 26, 2009 12:45 AM

comment #2

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Meaningless. Streep was going to win this no matter what. The SAG goes for the vets: Finney, Dee, etc. End of story. Winslet walks away with the Oscar.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at January 26, 2009 12:58 AM

comment #3

fredderf says ...

you know, i don't thing either will win the oscar (Winslet or Streep), i think it's going to go to Melissa Leo (Frozen River).

Posted by fredderf at January 26, 2009 1:41 AM

comment #4

raygo says ...

Winslet seemed embarrassed to be standing there, taking the SAG from a more deserving winner. In the end, simple greed of trying to stack the deck in her favor with both a lead and supporting nom could cost her.

Posted by raygo at January 26, 2009 2:20 AM

comment #5

lazarus says ...

I'm surprised this is all you have to say about tonight's show, Jeff. How about the absurd ensemble award given to Slumdog, basically SAG giving a giant 'fuck you' to itself. How do you award a handful of people over the lineups of Milk and Button, which have rosters that rise above stunt casting and carry pleasures large and small in the acting department?

What a joke. Next time these idiots picket I'll make sure to flip 'em the bird instead of honking my horn as I drive past.

Posted by lazarus at January 26, 2009 2:22 AM

comment #6

raygo says ...

Not meaningless in the Lead category. SAG may for go vets in the supporting categories "occasionally" ... but never in the lead category (Halle Berry, Charlize Theron).

Posted by raygo at January 26, 2009 2:25 AM

comment #7

Andrea says ...

I cant believe people are still pusing Hathaway. She has not shot at all. Rachel Getting Married got NO noms outside of her, she lost the Globe and SAG, and didnt even get a BAFTA nomination.

Melissa Leo's film has grossed 2.5 million dollars. No way she win.

Its without a doubt Streep vs Winslet. They go head to head for lead at BAFTA. I dont think theres any category confusion that would confuse voters.

As for awards speeches influencing people? PLEASE! Helen Mirren gave the most BORING acceptance speeches for The Queen and Streep have a terrifc speech at the Globes for Prada and it meant nothing.

Posted by Andrea at January 26, 2009 3:09 AM

comment #8

MindlessObamaton says ...

IIRC, the year De Toro won his Oscar, he was nomnated for a lead SAG award for TRAFFIC and won while Albert Finney won the supportig SAG award and they were both up for the OScar, which Del Toro won. No big whoop.

Posted by MindlessObamaton at January 26, 2009 4:24 AM

comment #9

Katey says ...

Raygo, you can't blame Winslet for greed here-- that's squarely on Harvey Weinstein's shoulders, who pushed The Reader to a 2008 release. You know if Winslet had her way she would have just been campaigning for her husband's film and left the Nazis for 2009.

Posted by Katey at January 26, 2009 7:03 AM

comment #10

jse33 says ...

So the unknown cast in Slumdog was better than Doubt's Meryl Streep, PS Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis? All of whom are nominated for Oscars? ooookay.

Posted by jse33 at January 26, 2009 8:04 AM

comment #11

cinefan says ...

You said it, jse33. That category for me was an absolute no-brainer. Doubt may or may not be the best film of the year but when the entire cast has received acting Oscar noms, how in the world does it not have the best acting ensemble?

Posted by cinefan at January 26, 2009 8:16 AM

comment #12

Sabina E says ...

I just saw Revolutionary Road... meh

Posted by Sabina E at January 26, 2009 9:25 AM

comment #13

smarty says ...

People keep bagging on THE READER when they haven't even seen it. Its pretty damn great (rushed, flawed a bit but still great). WINSLET SHOULD WIN! Her LEAD peformance is astonishing. I love Meryl but lets be honest, that performance was OVER THE TOP.