Why Amy Adams May Have to Sit This Oscar Year Out...
Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 1:30PM The news of Amy Adams winning the NBR delighted many and also stirred up the usual "The Film Experience hates her!" complaints in the commentary. We do not. Being frustrated by an actor's ubiquity and dullness at one particular annual event is not the same as hating them or their work. Amy Adams is a very fine actress. She has given many delightful performances, two of which would have even made non-controversial Oscar wins had she managed to actually nab the statue (Junebug or The Fighter).
Amy Adams (5), Albert Finney (5), and Glenn Close (6) are the living actors with the most Oscar nominations who have never won.
And it's true that she's quite amazing in Arrival, serving as the audience vessel to in two simultaneous and important ways that the movie couldn't succeed without: she's awestruck by what she's watching (she's our eyes and surely our facial expressions in the dark); apart from that awe she's emotionally and intellectually engaged with the events in order to grapple with them and suss out meaning which is what the audience is always doing when they're watching grand films that demands that they pay attention with both their heart and their mind.
But for all of that I don't think she's making the Oscar lineup and here's why...
Arrival (2016), Gravity (2013), Aliens (1986)
The first and most obvious reason is that Arrival is a science fiction film and actors don't get nominated for those. Oh sure there are exceptions as there are for any rule but they are very few. We've only seen two inarguable instances of Best Actress nominations from sci-fi films: Sigourney Weaver in Aliens (1986) and Sandra Bullock in Gravity (2013)... three if you count Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine but let's not since people never think of that as a sci-fi film even if they maybe should and perception is reality when it comes to genre. For reasons we will never quite understand, the actor's branch perceives genre acting to be lesser than acting in straight drama. This is baffling since acting within any type of movie has its own unique challenges -- it's the skill that you bring to them and the stories you tell with them and the character arcs you explore and which genre you're working in shouldn't matter at all.
The second but perhaps less obvious reason why Amy Adams has a more difficult task this year than she often does at winning nominations is that it's a highly competitive year in the Lead Actress category. In both previous cases, 1986 and 2013, it was not. Let's look back at those years.
Close but no cigar? The 2013 Best Actress shut-outs
2013 When Sandra Bullock was nominated for Gravity that film was clearly a threat to the eventual winner 12 Years a Slave and it won the most Oscars in the end. It was also a box office sensation, the sixth most popular movie of its year. Very strong and publicly beloved Best Picture contenders tend to effect voting in all branches, including the actors branch (see also, say, Alec Guiness's nomination for Star Wars). I don't think anyone would argue that Arrival is a serious threat to win Best Picture (like Gravity was) even if they would argue that it deserves to. Meanwhile in the Best Actress race of 2013 there was always a very clear frontrunner (Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine) and the other women were just hoping to get nominated. Five women were totally in the hunt for the other four slots and Emma Thompson (Saving Mr Banks) proved the odd woman out come nomination morning. The other women milling about the awards race --- people like Brie Larson (Short Term 12), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Enough Said) and Greta Gerwig (Frances Ha) were all in small indies that Oscar didn't notice in any categories. In short, Bullock was never in danger of losing that nomination.
The 1986 crop didn't excite the Academy
1986 Aliens, like Gravity was a top ten of the year box office sensation and critical hit when Sigourney Weaver was nominated for Best Actress. (For comparisons sake Arrival is currently the 43rd highest grossing film of 2016.) And the 1986 Best Actress race was even emptier than its 2013 counterpart. There was no juggernaut leader (ala Blanchett) with Kathleen Turner (Peggy Sue Got Married) and Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God) in a showdown for the win. To illustrate how atypical the Oscar race was only TWO of the Golden Globe nominees from each of their categories (Drama and Comedy) made the Oscar list. The other women* mulling about were in movies that were either exceptionally dour, flops, curiousities that people didn't really like or comedies they didn't take seriously (Night Mother, Duet For One, That's Life, Extremities, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Something Wild -- between those six pictures, one Oscar nomination in total... for Best Song).
Sigourney Weaver was no sure thing given Oscar's anti-sci-fi bias but it was also not a race with particularly strong enthusiasms for her competition and she definitely had the enthusiasm with that "wow" star turn. Into that Best Actress void at the last minute sprang Jane Fonda in another atypical genre vehicle (a thriller) The Morning After. It opened on Christmas and people didn't see it coming as an awards player. Both Sigourney and Jane were nominated...and probably with ease, too.
Is this tiered structure how you see the current race for Best Actress nominations?
2016 By contrast this year already has five respected and well liked Best Actress ready performances that fall under the realm of typical Oscar appeal (alpha order: Bening, Negga, Portman, Stone, and Streep) and one career honors type of movement for a legend in an atypical vehicle in which everyone agrees she's spectacular (Huppert) and possibly a little interference from a due performer who some voters might think of as lead rather than the "supporting" status they're claiming (Davis). How does Adams get past that significant firewall of strong contenders for a sixth nomination for an Oscar no one really thinks she could actually win?
P.S. The NBR doesn't have any discernible pattern with Best Actress - In the past 10 years worth of Best Actress prizes from the NBR, 3 went on to win the Oscar, another 4 were nominated and 3 were passed over by Oscar. That's typical of their whole history dating back to the 1940s.
Reader Comments (103)
I don't think Ruth Negga or Meryl should be nominated over her... Loving and FFJ are fine movies, but their respective performances are not close to the depth Adams and especially Huppert achieve. Obviously, the Top 3 cannot change, but Isabelle and Amy definitely should be #4 and #5.
Oh boy. Here come the obnoxious Amy stans with their pitchforks..
I sadly agree with Nathaniel's arguments here. I love Amy Adams, and would have been overjoyed to see her win for Junebug especially (and I mean, come on, where was her nomination for Enchanted?!), but with Isabelle Huppert's Gotham Awards win, and exceedingly charming speech, and freakin' Meryl Streep still on the bubble, it does look unlikely for her. On the one hand, sad to think she will be shut out, and on the other, so exciting that this race is chock full of incredible performances! Can't wait to see who eventually takes home the statuette.
I am truly holding out hope that Isabelle gets the Charlotte Rampling/Marion Cotillard "she really gave the best performance" nomination this year. but i will still be surprised if at end of day that really happens those voters are pretty safe. i think amy deserved three of her five noms and does wonderful work in arrival.
I don't really like the Amy hate around here, I don't know what it is. I do NOT particularly enjoy her as an interview subject/media/celebrity personality but I am the first to say she's a fantastic actress who deserves all the plaudits she gets.
That being said, I do think she'll be nominated - at the expense of Negga or Streep - remember how we all didn't have her on the shortlist in 2013 but she trumped Emma Thompson to everyone's surprise (not shock, but definitely surprise!) - I think we'll see that again this year.
I finally watched FFJ last night and oh my goodness, what an absolute gem of a movie - Hugh Grant and Nina Arianda deserve all the awards and I would honestly be over the moon if this was Meryl's 20th nom - she's sweet, light, funny and perfectly horrific at singing and does half of the heavy lifting with her eyebrows - she hasn't been this much fun since Julie & Julia/It's Complicated and I was so thrilled watching her clearly have a blast and relax and enjoy a role for the first time in a while!
I feel like only Portman and Stone are locks. I feel there's a chance Benning, Negga or Huppert could still lose their spot to Adams.
Still, if she does lose out this year, that will work in her favour next time. I have no doubt that Amy Adams is a future Oscar winner (and deservedly so)
I don't "hate" Amy Adams and I don't post frequently about her. But of the performances I've seen highlighted in that graphic, I'd probably rank hers my 4th favorite of 5. And if she equals Cate Blanchett's nomination count this year, it will just seem odd. It doesn't feel as though she's done that much worthy work.
I think Annette Bening's chances are being overrated similarly to Robert Redford and Tom Hanks in 2013. The Academy isn't as sentimental as all that these days. I think that Amy's nomination will come at her expense.
Blanchett is overrated and her first Oscar win is a joke. Amy > her any day.
Both Amy Adams and Ruth Negga gave similar tamped down, subtle performances in Arrival and Loving, respectively. They both became the heart and soul of their films, relying on their eyes (especially Negga) and facial expressions (particularly Adams) as conduits for conveying emotions -- rather than relying on more conventional histrionics. So I believe the the choice becomes a preference as to which performance is more effective to the film, among other considerations. And I am assuming the consensus is Portman, Stone, Bening and Hubbert will be nominated.
Somehow, I think she'll be nominated just like how JLaw was for Joy. A surprise twist to the category.
I hope Adams gets in as she gave a clear, simple yet intricate and emotionally full performance. Every single moment of her in the film was full of weight even though her character arc is uncomplicated.
I agree 2016 is a competitive year, but I think the most competitive year of the decade so far in Actress was 2013. I can't think of another year that comes close, actually. Adams getting in was a shock to many for American Hustle, and she was riding on the strength of two high profile performances that year. I also think Arrival, which is a hit and a likely BP nominee, really only has one acting play, which makes her more likely.
I don't think TFE hates Adams - you guys were singing her praises big time in 2013 - but I think there is an odd sense online in general that Adams has been given too much love. Junebug, Enchanted, The Fighter, American Hustle, Her and Arrival ALL had me thinking wow, I didn't know she could do that. At some point I just realized she's been consistently impressing me, and even if I didn't especially love her in Doubt or The Master (though she was fine in both), she's gone out of her way to impress for quite a while now. I think the Academy knows that, and watching Blanchett gush over her work at the Gothams just reminded me that they really cherish her. She's on the bubble with several others this year, but I expect a BP nom for Arrival and expect her nod will follow.
Question:
Do you people think:
La La Land, Jackie, Elle, Florence Foster Jenkins, Loving, Hidden Figures, 20th Century Women will earn more money than Arrival at the U.S. Box Office?
Personally, I highly doubt it.
Ken -- i see what you're saying but i'm operating from a place of having seen 20TH CENTURY WOMEN and frankly it would be embarrassing if they pass her over for it as she's just magnificent. I think the trick will only be to get enough of them to see it -- it's kind of off to a late start.
I really think she has a chance, especially since she's an Actor's Actress. Cate gushes over her for a reason. Amy's versatility is absolutely insane. I know these are fighting words, but her versatility is Streep-level, but unlike Streep, I actually forget that it's Amy and really feel like I'm watching someone new. Idk, I think the collective of contemporary actors will prop her up. I agree that her nom in 2013 is evidence of this sentiment in the industry. She's becoming a big-name actress but she has retained that independent break-out start spirit that we fell in love with in 2005. I love that her talents haven't been diminished by more stardom and bigger roles.
I pretty much agree with Craig, though. It'll probably be Ruth vs. Amy for that final spot.
I saw the same hate about Amy on
Emma Stone
Anne Hathaway
Reese Whiterspoon
Emily Blunt
In the years they where nominated (Emily when they think she Will).And I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY!!!!
YES, some people are starting a hate campaign for Stone this year. Go for me, I'm Reading some comments on Facebook that OMG!!!
Because they work hard? Because they are getting a recognition that this people Will never see in their Lives? I don't know. Maybe all of that and Moore.
Or because they think that ONLY A GROUP OF PEOPLE SHOULD GET AWARDS FOR THEIR WORK!!
Meryl is oustanding and all, but she not deserve ALL the 19 nominations that she receive.
Cate don't deserve the nomination for The Aviator and Elizabeth The Golden Age.
And the list Go on and on.
We all know that. The 'hate-people' know that. And don't like. Maybe because of this they started to hate People Who Will get a recognition for wonderfull work they had made/achieved.
Let's be honesty: the name of that is envy.
I think once people actually see 20th Century Women they'll agree that Bening is a lock -- I'm by no means her biggest fan but I think she's FANTASTIC in the film; it very well might be my favorite performance she's ever given. And very very funny.
Also, I forgot to mention - I went to all the Centerpiece presentations at AFI and Bening's was the only one that not only had seats open, but that I didn't hear much chatter about. Everyone loved the screening and Bening gave a lovely career tribute interview beforehand, but it struck me as a little strange. And don't get me wrong, I LOVE Bening and she'd already be a winner if I ruled the world. But reading the tea leaves, I started to suspect she wasn't in. (The other three were Jackie, La La Land and Elle - and after the packed house/line down the street for Elle, I started wondering later if I underestimated Huppert.)
The Academy LOVES Meryl and Amy - they will both be nominated. You know you won't be nominated? Annette Bening and Ruth Negga.
One would be hard pressed to find any positive comment made about Amy Adams on TFE that doesn't come with a caveat of some kind. It's always followed with a put down or detractor from her. It's a very odd thing and is the one thing that makes me cringe when I read your blog.
Outside of my liking or disliking Adams if it came down to a choice between seeing the never nominated Isabelle Huppert, who is apparently extraordinary in her film getting the nod over the five times honored Adams I say that's absolutely how it should go.
I fully approve of the now almost annual nod for a legendary actress who up till now was somehow shut out. It would be nice to see one of them win though.
I want Negga to be nominated but how is she ahead of Meryl or Taraji - bigger names, bigger performances and previous nominees. Is the buzz on Loving strong within the industry? It's such a quiet film.
I hope you're right about The Bening, Nat.
Speaking as one of the more obsessed Amy Adams lovers out there, I'm actually hoping she doesn't get nominated this time. I feel like the more underawarded but loved performances she has like Enchanted, Her and Catch Me if you Can, the better it is for her narrative if she hopefully finally gets a "it's her time" kinda performance down the road like Julianne Moore.
(Ironically there is currently an Amy Adams FYC ad at the bottom of this page)
Amy Adams is a competent actress who has benefited from juicy ensemble vehicles where she can fill out coattail slots in the acting category Oscar cares so little for -- supporting. Her inflated nomination count as emboldened her supporters.
Annette Bening has secured nominations in extremely competitive years prior: 2004 and 2010. It would be fun if Huppert actually was competitive for televised wins at the precursors over Portman and Stone.
After reading this (Including the comments), now I believe Adams will be nominated XD. Some kind of karma is working here.
Hmm, I get the reasons why she might miss out, but there is quite a bit working in her favor. For one, Arrival feels a lot more like a heady drama than most Sci Fi movies, which tend to be more in the thriller/action movie mold. It also seems strange to predict Arrival getting in for Picture and Adams to miss out. Actual question, in the recent past how many times has a lead actress in a Best Picture nominated vehicle not gotten a nod? In the past decade or so, I can only remember Blanchett for Benjamin Button and Saldana for Avatar. Both of them (especially Saldana) had a lot more working against them than Adams. They may just snub the movie in top line categories altogether, but otherwise I think she gets in with it.
She will also almost certainly have the highest grossing movie of her competitors going into nominations. Elle particularly seems to be underperforming a bit considering the buzz. Early yet, but it appears headed toward a 1.5 mil total. That would be one of the lowest grossing Best Actress vehicles in years. Florence ended up underperforming a bit as well for Meryl with under 30 mil. That doesn't kill their chances, but can't help.
I'm skeptical about Streep's strength here. It's not the type of movie that's typically in their wheelhouse. Has she gotten any precursor love yet?
DrewB - That is a good point. Julianne Moore in the Kids Are All Right and Keira Knightly in Atonement (a surprising omission) are additional examples. Also, arguably Emma Stone for The Help, though maybe she wasn't campaigned, and Sandra Bullock for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, though maybe she was in Supporting.
Nat - But Redford and Hanks were embarrassing omissions as well. I haven't seen the film, but I can understand why some posters think Bening will suffer from the same problems that plagued Redford in 2013 - Bening's film seems to be suffering from the same poor release schedule in a crowded market and it might be overlooked because of it, just as All is Lost was. I hope I'm wrong.
I agree with Nat. Amy Adams is a good actress, but 5 nominations already? I would have been fine with a win for Junebug or The Master. She was pretty awful in Doubt and I don't even remember her performance in The Fighter. And lastly, her work in American Hustle was...okay.
I am still going with Portman, Stone, Bening, Negga and Huppert. Maybe Streep or Chastain. But I see Adams somewhere around 8th or 9th. Many have spoken about Ralph Fiennes deserving a nod for A Bigger Splash, and I agree. I also think Swinton deserves to be in there.
I think she has a fantastic shot at a nomination.
It's the first time since Junebug that anyone's been excited about her work in its own right, not as an addendum to her costars or the movie she appeared in. If she could close on all of those nominations (nobody would call her nods for The Master or American Hustle a slam dunk) then I think she could very easily get into the race this time. Nobody campaigns harder. She's beloved. The gravitational pull of seeming "overdue" will get her on ballots, even though she probably won't win.
When you think of Bullock in Gravity or Damon in the Martian, there's pretty clear and recent precedent for this sort of role. Forget about the 80-year history of the Academy...the last five years tell you everything you need to know about whether Arrival is in the acting branch's wheelhouse.
Nah to this whole post.
People have to actually see your movie too and people ARE seeing Arrival, especially people who don't usually go to the movies. Who is checking for Loving? Who is EVER checking for anyone in a Jeff Nichols movie? I wish white critics would stop wasting time/space overinflating that man's completely mediocre filmography. It's embarrassing.
And as a gay man, I find the overt, obnoxious overpraising of Meryl Streep to almost diminish her actual credible filmography. No, she is not great in everything. No, she doesn't not deserve nominations for everything. And no, you are not blameless when gay white male critics CAN'T LET HER GO. Jesus Christ.
And frankly, anyone who views Jennifer Lawrence as better than Amy Adams in American Hustle obviously has a pretty clear anti-Amy Adams bias and it stinks. Like, she's not fucking Hillary Swank, calm yourself.
So we've got Bening, Stone, Portman, Negga and Streep out in front, with Huppert on the bubble, Chastain and Henson in the shadows, and Adams as a spoiler. And some wonder why Viola Davis chose to campaign supporting?
I think Amy is in, and may even win. If Hidden Figures ends up being good, I wouldn't be surprised if Octavia or Taraji sneaks in, too, probably in place of Ruth, who is not as famous and is in a lower profile movie.
Good points - you make a persuasive argument for an Adams omission. To play devil's advocate, I do think the Academy's historical bias against Sci-Fi seems to have become less pronounced than in previous eras. I also think Adams may be something of a special case, given her track record and the fact that she is perceived in some quarters as being overdue for the Award. I'm not sure the competition, while formidable, is not quite as tough as what we saw in 2013. Foreign language performances are always at a bit of a disadvantage as far as Oscar is concerned (Cotillard has broken through, but in rather light years), and Huppert's film sounds like a bit of a tough watch in terms of subject matter. Streep is Streep, of course, but it's such a featherweight concoction that I would hardly consider her to be an automatic entry. It seems as though critical reaction to Miss Sloane is fairly mixed, and the others seem more like longshots at this point. I agree that Adams' footing is less secure than the four women you've placed ahead of her - she's on the bubble - but a Globe nomination seems like a fairly easy get (Stone, Bening and Streep are Comedy/Musical category bound), and with a bit more traction, who knows? It's doable.
Good points - you make a persuasive argument for an Adams omission. To play devil's advocate, I do think the Academy's historical bias against Sci-Fi seems to have become less pronounced than in previous eras. I also think Adams may be something of a special case, given her track record and the fact that she is perceived in some quarters as being overdue for the Award. I'm not sure the competition, while formidable, is not quite as tough as what we saw in 2013. Foreign language performances are always at a bit of a disadvantage as far as Oscar is concerned (Cotillard has broken through, but in rather light years), and Huppert's film sounds like a bit of a tough watch in terms of subject matter. Streep is Streep, of course, but it's such a featherweight concoction that I would hardly consider her to be an automatic entry. It seems as though critical reaction to Miss Sloane is fairly mixed, and the others seem more like longshots at this point. I agree that Adams' footing is less secure than the four women you've placed ahead of her - she's on the bubble - but a Globe nomination seems like a fairly easy get (Stone, Bening and Streep are Comedy/Musical category bound), and with a bit more traction, who knows? It's doable.
I agree with your thesis but at the same time I think that Amy can crush it on Oscar morning.
P.S. Spacek won the Globe just because it would have been Turner's third in a row.
nobody would call her nod for The Master a slam dunk
Only people who questioned her nomination didn't like the movie.
NewMoonSon -- i get that but Viola woulda been an instant lock I believe for Best Actress knocking out some of these others for sure. I'm still mad she didn't go for it! :) mostly because i'm anti category fraud but also because we need another Black Actress winner. It continues to be insane that it's only Halle Berry who is nowhere close to one of the most esteemed actors of modern movie history.
everyone -- Taraji is fun in Hidden Figures but I'd be really surprised if she competed outside of a Globe nod (though she does have one totally obvious dramatic "clip". It's kind of a lightweight movie in the way Florence Foster Jenkins is lightweight (albeit with a more relevant topic)
Josh -- you may be right. Matt Damon in the Martian is a good example.
we need another Black Actress winner. It continues to be insane that it's only Halle Berry who is nowhere close to one of the most esteemed actors of modern movie history.
Plenty of lightweight weak tea hack white nominees have won Oscars. Chris Rock said it best we will have racial equality when nonwhites are allowed to be mediocre and win.
Florence Foster Jenkins being re-released in select cities in December- looks like they are trying to get the movie back in the spotlight for awards season. With Meryl getting the Demille award and 30th Golden Globe, she will be in the spotlight. I predict if she gets the SAG nomination as well she will get the 20th.
She is not a lock but I think she has a better chance than Negga, Huppert and Bening at this point. I would not be surprised if Adams and Streep both get it due to Academy love.
I think Amy is in, not yet sold on Ruth (an unknown in a quiet movie in a quiet role) but I think she's in too for sentimental reasons and smart campaigning, rounding out the Natalie/Emma/Annette lock. But Meryl could easily crash this party. And if enough actors see Elle and respect Isabelle enough she could knock Amy or Ruth out, but I don't know if enough people will watch that performance, though anything she wins is a reminder for voters to move that screener up on their lists. Everyone is seeing Arrival and the Academy loves Amy.
I can certainly see a scenario where Adams loses out on a nomination but she is starting off pretty good. She is campaigning hard. Harder than any of the others at this point. I continue to say it ... people a overestimating Ruth Negga. I just don't think she s going to make it. The movie failed to critically ignite the way a movie like that should.
I loved Arrival and I thought Adams was great in it but I will be ok with her being snubbed. The happiest I would be this year would be if Bening. Because that lady has deserved it again and again and again and to lose to Hilary Swank every time is kind of painful. Adams does not have the caliber of a five times nominee. No she did not deserve her noms for The Master and Doubt. Not by any means. Nicole Kidman has 3 nominations.I would like everyone to imagine how Amy Adams has 5 nominations and Nicole Kidman has 3. AMPAS has been very generous with Ms Adams and it should be ok with everyone if she sat this one out.
I love Amy
I do love Amy's body of work, she's highly watchable whether the film is just plain boring ( The Master) , average ( Doubt) or excellent ( Junebug, American Hustle), I do think she deserved to win for her performance in The Fighter; As long as this year is concerned I guess we have two actresses already locked up ( Portman and Stone) , Bening is coming stronger and stronger and she's just delightful and overdue an Oscar ( I'd happily have given it to her for The Kids are All Right ), Negga is impressive in Loving and as much as I adore Isabelle Huppert I don't think Elle will earn her a nod ( it's just NOT Cotillard in La Môme or Deux Jours, Une Nuit ); Streep is fine in FFJ , she's an icon , but she's just fine here and I don't see her as a threat ( although she was also just fine in Into the Woods, Music of the Heart, and we all know what happened )...so yeah I can totally see Amy get a nod and a la Julianne Moore "it's her year" she may even win. I'd be totally fine with that, she deserves it.
Adam you write
I believe if you actually read this article you will not see any put downs. I LOVE her performance in Arrival and have said so multiple times. Unless you're counting the reference to another article in which we were like "the roundtable again?" but i'd be that way with ANY actor if they were invited every year to the same event when the whole appeal of said event is that it chances each year with different lineups and combos of famous people chatting.
you can read that as hate if you will but just admit that you have a very broad definition of what "put downs" are ;)
I'm sad about the bias against sci-fi, but it's not exactly mystifying why. Many people view genre films as gobbling up the medium like locusts, and the all the technical details make a lot of shoots longer and less fun to do.
Just here to say I love Amy Adams and hope she gets nominated this year.