Happy "Annette Bening Is Awesome" Day
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 4:01PM 
by Jason Adams
When was the first time you took note of Annette Bening? I had probably seen her play Dan Ackroyd's wife in the John Candy comedy The Great Outdoors in 1988 but it was the next couple of years after that made a movie star out of her, coming to a head when she coupled up with Mr. Beatty for Bugsy. That film was released in theaters on this very day in 1991, meaning she's more or less been "a name" for precisely 25 years to the day.
And coincidentally five years after that - to the day! - Tim Burton's film Mars Attacks! came out, in which Annette gave what was up until this year my favorite performance of hers. As the space-cadet Barbara Sand she's a comic riot, tapping into the sometimes flightniess of her voice - Bening's voice has always been her secret weapon, switching between high and low registers with ease; one second she's confused, the next she's deep-throated with determination.
I wish that 20th Century Women was coming out today not only because I would love to go see it a third (and a fourth, and a fifth) time right this minute, but because it'd be a swell coincidence, making December 13th a lucky charm for the actress. 20CW isn't out until Christmas Day. But we'll sing its praises anyway! Nathaniel ain't alone in adoring the movie - I cannot get enough of it, and The Bening's performance as Dorothea has already in my mind shoved all of her other work out of the way and taken the acting crown. May Oscar feel the same!
Reader Comments (23)
Merteuil and Myra Langtry. Marvelous.
And this latest creation is right up there with them.
Probably The Grifters, where she took my breath away. I love her so much that for her well being, no matter how deserving she may be for 20th Century Women, I hope she's not nominated if Natalie indeed wins again. That would be too cruel. Ugh, I want Annette to win so badly already. She's someone who is actually really overdue.
I'm starting to think that she might actually benefit from recency. She'll have fresh reviews, good box office numbers, and the last week of the year effect on her side right at the precise time when Oscar voters are filling in their ballots. Plus, she has the added effect of benefiting from the fact that she and her husband Beatty both have critical/media hits on the same year. Maybe I'm dreaming, but she needs to win.
I believe Annette Bening is our finest actress. I've seen her play Madea and do Ruth Draper's monologues onstage, and she's the only actress that I would say shines equally in both film and theater. I got to tell her she's the very best in a West Hollywood parking garage four years ago when Warren and she parked beside me. She gave me a handshake as she exited the passenger side, and, sitting in my driver's seat, I couldn't get a good angle and I gave her such a sloppy salmon shake. I shall always regret this, but not as much as the Academy should regret constantly failing her.
Her Julia Lambert in Being Julia is my favorite performance of all time; that solo victory beer she enjoys at the end is one of the most satisfying moments in movies for me.
I am aching to see 20th Century Women.
I love her, can't wait to see "20th Century Women"! I first fell for her when I saw "Valmont" for the first time, in the early 2000s, such an equisite performance in a masterpiece movie. "The Kids Are All Right" and "Being Julia" are my favorite Annette's performances until now... I hope the Academy would give her the recognition she deserves, next year or as soon as possible!
Annette, I am not worthy. Sigh.
Her performance in The Grifters is cinematic lightning.
Bugsy's my introduction to Bening, and I never actually saw it. They kept showing the jerk yourself a soda scene on TV.
Some are dreading her losing to Portman. But if this transpires, remind yourself she has two vehicles next year where the consensus will be Give It To Annette.
My biggest cinematic regret is that Annette didn't get to play Catwoman in Tim Burton's sequel.
She was originally scheduled for the film, but was pregnant with her first child and had to bow out. Although I have a somewhat slight appreciation for Michelle Pfeiffer in the role - the film was clunky (especially with that stupid Danny DeVito Penguin) and I truly believed that Annette would've really breathed some life into the movie.
@TOM: It would've been no doubt interesting to see Bening in the role of Catwoman, but I don't know how much more "life" anyone *but* Pfeiffer could've breathed into that role/film. She was as live a wire as the one she electrocuted Max Shreck with at the end! A pfiercely-dedicated, pfully-realized, and all-around pfantastic (and inspired) perpformance hers was.
I pfirst noticed Bening in the Great Outdoors, too, although my adolescent could not comprehend that the same actress who hit me like a buckshot in The Grifters and Postcard from the Edge a couple of years later was one and the same. I've long admired her playfulness mixed with toughness, and wouldn't want to double cross her, truth be told.
Anyway, can't wait for 20th Century Women, which takes place in my hometown (Santa Barbara) the year of my birth (1979)!
The Grifters n Being Julia r my fav o her! N i argue she shld've won for being julia 12 fking yrs ago!
Lets hope Oscars do right this time. Dream scenario :
Portman n Stone for rhe globes
Stone for SAG
Huppert for BAFTA
n The Bening for Indie Spirits n finally, the Oscars!!!
Probably The Grifters or maybe Regarding Henry,such a class act cat and her voice is her weapon.
My favourite performance is probably the underseen Running with Scissors,has some great actressing at the edges by Paltrow,Wood and especially Clayburgh.
Not my biggest, since that would involve Montgomery Clift. But pretty close. Then again, given Burton's concept of the role, I'm actually happy not to have to find fault with what Bening would have done with it.
Wait a minute, is Annette this year's 2015 TFE Cate Blanchette? or 2014's TFE Julianne Moore? Yes? I'm in. Endolphins or no endolphins. It's The Grifters for me, but I also secretly love The American President.
One of my favourite performances is where I first saw her, "Postcards From the Edge". She had a short, wonderfully funny scene with Meryl Streep and I was hooked.
Her presence in any film is always welcome and delightful. May she always get interesting roles that we can enjoy.
Nathaniel, how many nominations should Bening have by now?
Love The Benning I think she was at her best in The Griffters, Bugsy, The kids are alright but I also think she can do no wrong
at other TOM- while I think Bening would have had a different interpreation, Michelle just owns Catwoman.
What I like about Annette is how smart she is. She always makes the character seem smart, like they are always keeping something from the audience. You stay interested, even if she is playing the hero or villian.
Oh please. No one could have done Catwoman better in that film than Pfieffer. She was all at one iconic and hilarious. Plus that performance is so stylized. Bening performance would have been very different, prob more in line with what Keaton and Walken were doing.
BUT if we want Bening in an action role, I'd say put her in the next Mad Max, I bet she'd be very interesting in a film like that.
I first saw her in Valmont and a few months later in The Grifters. I was fourteen and had a huge crush on her - probably still have it. She is the one third of my "favorite actress trifecta" , the other two being Maggie Smith and Glenn Close. Of all her performances my most beloved are the ones that got her nominated plus her Running with Scissors one (I'll never forget her last scene) and her emmy nominated turn in Mrs Harris (amazing!) I can't wait to see 20th century women, I can't wait to see her win the oscar! Bening fans unite!!!
What a wonderful day! I first saw her in The Grifters, which is also my favourite performance of hers. I agree with what what. I'd love to see her in an action film.
Can't wait to see 20th Century Women!
: fingers crossed for this morning's SAG announcement :
GO ANNETTE!
Posterized Bening Nat,Please.
If only she was in Dangerous Liaisons instead of Valmont!