Isabelle Huppert, French Legends, and Oscar Stats
Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:22AM by Nathaniel R
Are you biting your nails yet? No prediction for this year's Best Actress shortlist can come without some degree of "I could be getting this very wrong!" nerves. We've been Oscar watching for a long time and it's genuinely never looked this open this late in the game (with the possible exception of 2003 but for nearly the opposite reason). If Best Actress is not a five-way lock up by now (and it often is) it's usually at least settled but for a minor battle between two women for the "just happy to be nominated" fifth spot. This year is different. Seven women remain strong and precursor supported and virtually any combination of five names seems possible as long as you include both Emma Stone (with the reliable boost of leading a Best Picture frontrunner) and Natalie Portman (with the reliable boost of Oscar's deep-deep love for mimicry).
We always believed that Isabelle Huppert was a genuine threat for a Best Actress nomination this season for her phenomenal star turn in Elle. It wasn't so much that Elle, in which she plays a video game enterpeneur who becomes obsessed with her rapist, was a a fresh look at an old star (against type) or right in Oscar's wheel house (a dark comedy about rape. LOL, no). The appeal instead is that in Elle is a suffusion of everything that's special about Huppert: her superior intellect, fascinating opacity, tortured psychology, and her daring sexuality. Oscar would be wise to pounce in a year where the media has been this celebratory about her unique place in the cinematic landscape. 'It's time!' feelings don't generally come around all that often for true iconoclasts or women of a certain age. She's both so they must act now.
Binoche, Cotillard, Adjani, Deneuve
Here's another far more superficial but still excellent reason why Isabelle Huppert needs to be nominated...
All of her true peers have been! While France reliably turns out fine actors and charimastic stars, the bonafide international movie queens are a finite glorious batch and from the last 50 years of cinema (from the late 60s to the present so post-Caron/Moreau/Bardot), they number only five: CATHERINE DENEUVE who ascended in the late 60s, ISABELLE HUPPERT and ISABELLE ADJANI who both emerged in the 70s, JULIETTE BINOCHE who broke through in the 90s, and MARION COTILLARD in the Aughts.
You can make arguments for the importance of other Gallic actresses, too, (one of our favorite pasttimes) but the cultural fact is that they just never quite ascended globally or stayed internationally vivid in the way this quintet indisputably did. A sad but correctable truth: Huppert is the only one of these five women that has not been honored by Oscar.
I sense that you want yet more lists. We are always here for that...
Oscar's Most Celebrated French Actors of All Time (1927-2015)
English language performances unless otherwise noted
Signoret, Colbert, and Caron
- Charles Boyer - 4 nominations
- Claudette Colbert - 3 nominations | 1 win
- Marion Cotillard - 2 nominations | 1 win (French language performances)
- [TIE] Simone Signoret and Juliette Binoche - 2 nominations | 1 win
- Isabelle Adjani - 2 nominations (French language performances)
- [TIE] Leslie Caron and Maurice Chevalier - 2 nominations
- [TIE] Catherine Deneuve, Gérard Depardieu, Anouk Aimee, Emmanuelle Riva, Marie-Christine-Barrault - 1 nomination each (French language performances)
- [TIE] Lila Kedrova & Jean Dujardin - 1 nomination | 1 win each
- [TIE] Collette Marchand, Jocelyne LaGarde, and Bérénice Bejo - 1 nomination each
In Comparison - César's Most Celebrated Actors (1976-2015)
- Gérard Depardieu - 17 nominations | 2 wins
- Isabelle Huppert - 15 nominations | 1 win
- Catherine Deneuve - 14 nominations | 2 wins
- Daniel Auteuil - 12 nominations | 2 wins
- [TIE] Catherine Frot an Karin Viard - 10 nominations | 2 wins
- [TIE] Fabrice Luchini and Miou-Miou - 10 nominations | 1 win
- [TIE] Nathalie Baye and Dominique Blanc - 9 nominations | 4 wins
- [TIE] Juliette Binoche and François Cluzet - 9 nominations | 1 win
- Isabelle Adjani - 8 nominations | 5 Wins
- Michel Serrault - 8 nominations | 3 wins
- Sandrine Kiberlain - 8 nominations | 2 wins
- Emmanuelle Béart - 8 nominations | 1 win
- André Dussollier - 7 nominations | 3 wins
- Sandrine Bonnaire - 7 nominations | 2 wins | + 1 additional nomination in another category
- Sabine Azema - 7 nominations | 2 wins
- Jean-Hugues Anglade - 7 nominations | 1 win
- Noémie Lvovsky - 7 nominations | plus 4 additional nominations in other categories
- [TIE] Marion Cotillard, Cecile de France, and Charlotte Gainsbourg - 6 nominations | 2 wins
- Vincent Lindon - 6 nominations | 1 win
- Lambert Wilson - 6 nominations
A few more internationally reknowned French actors of note (though not ranked as others only famous in France may have had more attention)
Seydoux, Garrell, and Darrieux
- Emmanuelle Devos - 5 nominations | 2 wins
- [TIE] Fanny Ardant, Jean-Louis Trintignant, and Vincent Cassel - 5 nominations | 1 win
- Mathieu Amarlic - 4 nominations | 3 wins | plus an additional 4 nominations in non-acting categories
- Annie Girardot - 4 nominations | 3 wins
- Audrey Tatou - 4 nominations | 1 win
- Jeanne Moureau - 3 nominations | 1 win | 2 Honoraries
- Louis Garrel - 3 nominations | 1 win | plus 1 extra nomination in a non-acting category
- Danielle Darrieux - 3 nominations | 1 Honorary
* She turns 100 this May! Clearly had the César award been around before the mid 70s she would be one of the most celebrated given her filmography and legend (same is true of Moreau). Darrieux was one of the biggest French stars from the 1930s through the 1950s. She hasn't made a feature in six years. Her last celebrated role was as the matriarch in François Ozon's all-star female musical 8 Women (2002) - Gaspard Ulliel - 4 nominations | 1 win
- Léa Seydoux - 4 nominations
- [TIE] Ludivine Sagnier and Jean Reno - 3 nominations
P.S. Kristin Scott Thomas and Charlotte Rampling, two actors that are sometimes thought of as French given their multilingual filmographies and personal lives, are actually British. Charlotte has 4 César nominations, an Honorary César and 1 Oscar nomination. Kristin has 3 César nominations and 1 Oscar nomination.
P.P.S. For those curious about how French actors have such high nomination and win totals given only a 40 year history, there are two reasons. The first is a smaller pool of stars getting the roles. The second is that they two additional acting categories "Most Promising Actress" and "Most Promising Actor" which can greatly help your vote tally partially because you don't necessarily graduate out of those categories after one breakthrough. You can be nominated in multiple years as "promising". We're not sure how they define when you have officially delivered on that promise and then cut you off.
Reader Comments (51)
Nervous for Annette. I want her and Huppert nominated.
The BAFTA nominations on Monday may clear things up (or not, as Isabelle Huppert isn't eligible due to Elle not opening here until March).
I'm assuming Stone, Streep and Adams are locked at BAFTA
With Portman and (probably) Negga taking the final two spots...
It will be interesting to see how Hidden Figures performs - Henson grabbing a nomination here would really shake things up...
I feel like Streep is pretty surefire now - Grant is almost certainly getting a nomination and she's his co-lead AND Meryl Streep - why wouldn't she?
Quick shout-outs to some of my favourite French performers not on your lists (or French-language performers as some are not strictly natives) -
Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi
Isaach De Bankole
Beatrice Dalle
Never forget:
Romy Schneider (Germany-born, France-cultivated) - 5 César nominations | 2 wins | 1 honorary (all the competitive ones before her death at age 43)
Kermit -- i'm wondering where people are getting the "surefire" thing with Streep. She would have been Globe nominated even if FFJ had no heat whatsoever. the only real sign that she's in it (other than being Streep) is the SAG nomination...
she might get nominated but i'm confused why people think it's a done deal given how strong her six competitors are with media coverage and precursors also.
Kermit-BAFTA isn't as knee-jerk with Streep as other bodies are-I don't think she's a surefire nomination by any definition.
My gut for AMPAS Best Actress remains, though, Stone, Portman, Streep, Adams, and Huppert. I think that Bening is opening too late and Negga too subdued in a film that isn't catching on the way it probably needed to. I'm not 100% convinced that Davis can't make the jump to lead (bumping Streep or Huppert) or that Henson is totally out of the contest (I feel like AMPAS will respond well to this movie), but those are my five, with Streep, not Huppert, being most vulnerable.
May seem more "surefire" after the Globes and BAFTA nomination this week. Streep continues to be loved by Hollywood and the Academy., maybe more now than ever before.
I don't see how Negga or Bening are more "surefire" at this point? And Huppert won't get a BAFTA nom.
Jamie -- oh i didn't say anyone was "more" surefire. Just that it's an unusually competitive year and no one has really statistically made a case for themselves that's lockety-lock-lock beyond Emma & Natalie (and maybe Amy)
EVERYONE -- but how about those French actors people. Opinions? love to hear em
My actressexual inclinations are very partial to the french ladies. Really rooting for Hupert to get her nomination this year.
Would love to see Binoche get an Oscar comeback also, and for a french movie. She's such a consistent performer.
I didn't realize Claudette Colbert was French until now. I mean, I assumed her last name was French, but I didn't realize she was actually born in France. I tend to forget how French Leslie Caron is, too. It must be because I have only seen them in English films. Now, with Emmanuelle Beart and Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche, I never forget.
A shout out for the unique Simone Simon. Never nominated, she certainly should have been for her endlessly intriguing Irena in "Cat People". This was a role she successfully revisited in "Curse of the Cat People", one of the best ever movie sequels. Her French-language output included sterling work in several acknowledged classics including "La Bete Humaine" and "Le Plaisir". But - as far as Simon's French films go -I 'd say I like her best in 1950's "La Ronde". I don't think any other actress could have provided quite the sly shades and colors Simone Simon brought to her part as an open-to-opportunity chambermaid. And she still looked as young and pretty as she had in the 30's.
I love the top 5 women mentioned, though I feel like I: need to see more of their films.
I would say the only other French actress to come close to that level of international fame / recognition in the last two decades is Audrey Tautou. 4 César nominations (1 win) and 2 BAFTA nominations and she was very close to Oscar recognition for Amélie not to mention being in a major hit with The Da Vinci Code. Surprised she is nowhere to be found in this post :)
I just watched FFJ and sorry, but Meryl is very good but in no way deserves a nomination for this.
...given the competition, you mean?
Happy New Year, Paul! I think it would have to be a very weak year, along the lines of say, 2005.
Point taken. And Happy New Year to you!
I love this lady way too much and want her to win sooo badly. Not just nominated, WIN. She towers above her competition.
No matter if Huppert is or isn't nominated America still won't know how to use her specific style of acting.
As usual, amazing read and stats, Nat!
Just a small correction from a sucker for French cinema and César-nerd: Sandrine Kiberlain has won two César (one as Most promising actress and one for Best Actress two years ago). I guess that makes her the lone spot for place 11?
@MARKGORDONUK
And that's great. Who wants to watch Huppert in Hollywood schlock? I'm fine with her rare appearances in the occasional Huckabees.
Great stats!
I would have loved to see Depardieu win for Cyrano de Bergerac and Boyer for Gaslight. Some of the nominated actresses's performanvce I've yet to see, but I really like Adjani in L'Histoire d'Adele H. and Aimee and Riva in their nominated performances. I'd also have liked to see Caron get a nomination for Gigi.
I haven't seen Elle yet, as I'm in the UK and I therefore have to wait until it opens, but based on Huppert's many classic performances, I would love to see her get a nomination finally!
the legendary Jeanne Moreau is also in need of Academy recognition.
Another wonderful lady of French cinema is the discreet Stephane Audran, winner of a Cesar, a Bafta and Berlin silver bear award for best actress. Her walk through the village, smoking at the beginning of Le Boucher is cinema magic. She is fabulous in all her films directed by Claude Chabrol and then, of course, Babette's Feast...
Really wish Binoche had made into Oscar's final 5 for The Clouds of Sils Maria (and maybe for Summer Hours, as Supporting, too). And I'd think Cotillard may tie Boyer's record someday, given how well-received her work tends to be.
I know Claudette Colbert was French by birth but it just seems strange to think of her AS French. Again I know she spoke the language fluently and had a certain continental air and even made a couple appearances in French films in the later 50's but her general identification is so American. In film after film throughout almost the entirety of her career she played someone who was a native of the States and unlike Boyer never had a trace of any other accent than a Mid-Atlantic one.
All that aside hope that Huppert does score that long overdue nod.
I saw La La Land and not really sure why Emma Stone is a lock so we all must have differing tastes
Isn't Eva Green French? I guess she's still in that "most promising" category. I guess I'd throw in Melanie Laurent and Julie Delpy into that category as well, though to my eyes they are well established.
I agree that Audrey Tatou should be mentioned since Amelie was such a US hit.
The main take away from this list for me though is that there are a LOT of French actors I don't know and I thought I was a French film fan. And this doesn't even mention people like Charles Berling (sp?), and Romain Duris, etc.
Dave -- Eva Green is French yes but never makes French movies so i cant see the Cesars getting excited about her.
EVERYONE -- but how about those French actors people. Opinions? love to hear em
Evident many of us are susceptible to their charms as is the rest of the world. If subtitled content weren't an issue for Americans the French would dominate the Academy as their British and Aussie counterparts.
Lovely article, it's a nice reminder just how much talent France has produced. A special shout-out to Simone Signoret whose autobiography "Nostalgia isn't What it Used to Be" is a great read.
That French attitude and trademark insouciance is divine.
I'm in love with Fanny Ardant's english. <3
Devos in Kings and Queen is still my favorite female performance of the century.
Great post, Nathaniel!
I really *really* want Huppert to get nominated, at least.
Also, a movie with her and Cotillard would be awesome. Make it happen, Universe!
Emmanuelle Bercot in the wonderful MON ROI (my favourite 2016 film) is one of the best female performances of the past decade. If it had been in English, she would have been dominating the Oscar race for whatever year the move got released in the US.
Nathaniel, have you ever seen Jeanne Moreau in MADEMOISELLE? It's one of my favorite films/performances of all times -- directed by Terry Richardson from a script by Jean Genet. It's gorgeously shot, sexually daring and chilly to the core of its steely French heart.
YES Go get that Oscar, Isabelle!!!
Stone, Portman, and Adams are locked now, stupid if you think they are not.
Huppert is in hopefully,
Last spot is tricky, but I'm still holding out for Annette.
Nathaniel: You're missing one of my favorite French actresses in your César list:
Annie Girardot: 4 nominations, 3 wins.
She's one of only 4 thesps ever to win 3 Césars for acting.
When I opened this post I immediately searched for Annie Girardot, who's my all-time favorite. She was not in so I wrote the comment. Now I have read the whole article, which is WONDERFUL. Another actress for the list is:
Sabine Azéma: 7 nominations, 1 win.
Cheers!
It's a crime that both Nathalie Baye and Huppert have never been Oscar-nominated. Baye is in a league of her own just like Huppert.
a) Nathaniel, not only did you get the idea of Huppert's momentum correct, I'd actually argue that if she gets nominated, SPC owes you for such a clear strategy. Let's be clear - SPC has botched this before and typically has super poor release strategies.
b) One thing I REALLY like about this year is the way the critics, even within their echo chamber, got quickly on board. It's not so much that they were more "honest" or accurate about quality but they recognized that part of their jobs as critics organizations was to make the conversation more interesting. That they latched onto an actually strong narrative that isn't merely predicting the Oscar makes me happy.
c) I'm VERY curious who wins the Golden Globe. Natalie Portman and Amy Adams have already won two. I think Huppert could actually win. That would be hilarious.
d) Goodness, so many wonderful French legends on that list. You know, there are times when I look at my personal awards and think I should separate English (my native/only tongue) and non-English performances because of how I evaluate them. Then you can honour twice as many people (I don't care for rules in my personal awards. I once nominated 12 supporting actors for a drama/TV and still think that was the right thing to do).
That said, I'm confident that Huppert would be on my top five all time nominations leader lists even without that adjustment.
Arkaan -- thank you. (and shhhh. i've also considered doing that with performances the foreign/vs native tongue thing I am not really bilingual though i was briefly at one point in my life ;) and just from that limited perspective I realized how different performances register when you can understand line readings, inflections, tones with which words are said. It's much harder to do that when you're reading subtittles... not because you have to read simultaneously (that's easy) but becasue you don't actually know fully what the actor is doing with their words since you don't actually understand the words or how they might sound if the actor delivered them differently.)
Am so mad that Elle was NOT released in UK earlier to capitalize on Huppert's critical wins in the US! She wld've have been nom & has a v good chance o winning as the BAFTA iluv em French actresses more than Hollywood (Cortilland, Riva, etc). Now her chance is ruined! Even if she get in for Things to Come (unlikely), she wont win as the competition is too tough.
I believe the 5 to make the cut at BAFTA wld be: Stone, Portman, Streep, Negga & Beckingsale, w Adams a close six behind..
Agreed tt Caron shld've been nom for Gigi. Its absurd tt Gigi was nom & won in practically all categories except for the acting! Caron, Jourdan, Chevalier, Gingold were all essential to the charm & success of tt picture. Esp Caron as the title character.
What cal roth said. Emmannuelle Devos forever!
Though I do also worship the 5 indisputable icons at the tpp of the article. I was about to say Adjani and Binoche in particular - but that's not exactly true since I can't quite/never want to imagine my life without Huppert, Cotillard OR Deneuve. And then don't even start me on Beart and Gainsbourg and Riva and OHMYGODJEANNEMOREAU!!!
There are a couple of beloved Anglophone actresses I've never quite been able to embrace ureservedly (eg. Kidman, Streep, Weisz). But when it comes to French actresses, it seems that with just about every one of the major ones, my love runs deep and unrestrained.
Another great French actor missing from the list: the wonderful Michael Lonsdale (3 César nominations, 1 win)
Three more entries for the list:
The masterful Philippe Noiret: 5 nominations, 2 wins.
The ill-fated Patrick Dewaere: 6 nominations.
The multi-hyphenate Nicole Garcia: 5 nominations, 1 win / plus 5 additional nominations in other categories.
And please remember to include the already mentioned Romy Schneider (4/2 plus one posthumous Honorary) and Sabine Azéma (7/1).
Romy was 5/2, Marcos!
You are right Paul! My bad! And while we're at it:
Sara Forestier: 4 nominations, 1 win.
Alain Delon: 3 nominations, 1 win.
Jean Rochefort: 6 nominations, 1 win.
Vincent Perez: 3 nominations.
Jérémie Renier: 3 nominations.
Bernard Giraudeau: 5 nominations.
Anne Broquet: 3 nominations, 1 win.
Sylvie Testud: 5 nominations, 2 wins.
Emilie Dequenne: 4 nominations.
Adèle Haenel: 4 nominations, 2 wins.
Maybe 3 and 4 time nominees should not have been included in the list.
nathaniel, great article! those five french actresses have each given at least two or three mind-blowing performances and pretty much define movie specialness.
it's absurd that huppert isn't a given for nomination morning, but the actors who vote for oscars never were experts at identifying great actors.
but if the five nominees end up being adams/bening/huppert/portman/stone, that's as great a slate as the category has ever had. i'm hoping they don't default for streep.
isabelle huppert first nom is coming
Too bad Eva Green hates France, she could have received Cesar nominations if she had done french movies