... or are those tears of joy?Melissa Leo has had quite the early awards run for Frozen River, a dramatic thriller about a desperate woman caught up in an illegal immigrant smuggling operation. Quentin Tarantino loved it @ Sundance where it won the Grand Jury prize --he's quoted in the movie's trailer -- and many months later she's started to pick up trophies for it and nominations, too. If you've seen the movie (she's excellent in it --see previous article) you're probably less surprised than others though it's still an achievement for a small film and lesser known actress. The competition isn't exactly weak. I'll be meeting with this BFCA Best Actress Nominee tonight. If you could sit Melissa down, what would you be asking her?
More interviews on the way in the coming weeks, too. Have you been listening?
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would you have prefered your first oscar nom to come from 21 grams where you blew an overly histionic naomi watts how to act.
"If Leo were Charlize Theron with artfully applied bags under the eyes, an Oscar nomination would surely be forthcoming for her truculent turn." --Ella Taylor, The Village Voice
I realize this may be a bit premature before the Golden Globe nominations are announced, but I believe Melissa Leo and Richard Jenkins will be Oscar nominated for their respective performances. The Academy loves an "indie" that's loved by mainstream audiences who think they're watching a film with true independent spirit, but is simply more gracefully reinforcing a Hollywood structure. It makes them seem classy to appreciate a film about poverty and open-mindedness.
While I didn't love "Frozen River" I am pleased that people are actually looking further back in the year than usual, at a tiny little film like this no less, to fish out Leo's performance. She really is spectacular in the film. Though I wish the voters would also look ten feet to their left and say "Wow, there's another performance in this film that's just as good, just as layered and just as heartbreaking." Where's the love for Misty Upham?
Actually, I thought Misty Upham was quite terrible in it? But I realize I'm alone on that...
Go Melissa!
Derek -- i didn't really respond to Misty either. so you're not alone ;) I believe it's her first performance which may explain it... so hopefully she'll get another shot since she probably learned a lot from Leo.
p.s. I thought the actor that played Leo's oldest son was really affecting.
An interesting question to ask may be something along the lines of, "How do you want audiences to respond to the poverty depicted in the film?"
I wonder because, after I saw it at the only arthouse in a wealthy suburb of NYC, the audience was buzzing about how "understanding" they were all the way to their BMWs and into their three-car garages.
1) Do you ever think, "I wish I get a nomination, I deserve it!"?
2) Do you expect things to change for you professionally after the huge acclaim of your performance?
3) Yours aside, which is your favorite performance by an actress for 2008?
Jim
I don't know what I would ask her. I don't even know who she is. I just want to know if there's a connection between that tortilla you're holding and your interest in snuff. I mean to do smother them with pastries? Inquiring minds want to know!
Being the first one to sent screener is a great move.
anon --you are correct sir/madam
"Have you read what Dustin Hoffman wrote about your performance in Variety? How amazed were you?"
And the oldest sons name is Charlie McDermott and he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for supporting male...
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