"Spencer" Teaser. Kristen Stewart for the gold?
Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 12:34PM by Nathaniel R
It never fails. Every time something exciting happens, like a Power of the Dog teaser, there's something immediately on its heels giving you barely any time to process. Spread the wealth studios, meter out that cinephilia bait, we beg you. Here's the Spencer teaser starring Kristen Stewart...
Kristen Stewart is a very obvious Best Actress contender for a number of reasons. First, it's a biopic which gives all actors an automatic boost even though it should only ever be about the performance itself. Second, she's the exact type of performer that can sail to a win on a first nomination under the "who'da thunk it?" narrative that will net very famous non-Oscary actors easy wins when they finally compete (think Sandra Bullock) or get them really far into a race even if the performance is only so-so (think Jennifer Aniston's scarily close bid for a nomination for a movie everyone has long-since forgotten). We don't yet know if Stewart's performance will be any good but here's hoping since she's been excellent before (hi, Clouds of Sils Maria)
But how about that cinematography from the great Claire Mathon who exploded into cinephile consciousness in 2019 with the double whammy haunting images and light of Atlantics and Portrait of a Lady on Fire?
Best Actress, Claire Mathon, Kristen Stewart, Oscars (21), Spencer, biopics
Reader Comments (18)
This looks very promising.
She's been great for so long, especially in Clouds and Still Alice. I think it's exciting that she's doing something that will be more on the radar of academy voters than purely Cinephiles.
This is a great teaser, but I think the biggest challenge she'll have is the comparison to Emma Corrin (who was brillant in the role, and also has the benefit of being first). I always think about Philip Seymour Hoffman/Toby Jones and Catherine Keener/Sandra Bullock. I really loved both Jones and Bullock, but they didn't get any attn for being second.
Her other obstacle is is being in a Larrain film. I thought Jackie was brillant, but the Academy's reception to it was fairly cold given how strong it was. It will be interesting to see if they embrace this.
You mean Stewart is second *this awards season*, I guess, since Corrin and Stewart are both "benefiting" from the fact that Naomi Watts' interpretation of Diana crashed and burned in '13. What should also help Stewart is the fact that Corrin's performance is part of a six-season TV series and not a feature film or a TV movie. Assuming that Stewart is great, of course.
I was pleasantly surprised by Stewart's voice at the end, even though it was just one line. Let's hope the accent holds up and the performance isn't too stilted. Looks promising though, and it's always nice to see Sally Hawkins in anything.
Edit: I love the new 15 minute edit function!
yaaaaaaassssss
I am so excited for Stewart to get some more of the praise that she's deserved since 2014!
BUT, I will say this: For the people who are talking about her chances of winning the Oscar and saying she's the frontrunner, Natale Portman got those same talks in '16, and she only got a nomination by the time the actual ceremony happened! Things change.
As someone who loved JACKIE and has been a fan of Larraín since his Pinochet trilogy, I can't wait to watch this. Claire Mathon's cinematography looks especially gorgeous, but I'm most curious about Stewart's take on the role. Larraín was able to make the friction between actors and unlikely parts into the fabric of cinematic genius in previous projects, so I am eager to see what he gets out of Stewart, an actress that deserves much more love than she usually gets.
Somewhere in the midst of Prince Harry's public reminiscing, the recent unveiling of the ugly statue of Diana and all accompanying news stories rehashing old headlines, and the brilliance of the most recent season of The Crown, I think I am on overload. Maybe I will be interested at the release date. Right now? It's a hard pass.
Thought she was great and award-worthy in Still Alice, Clouds of Sils Maria, *and* Adventureland. Assuming this is good, really hope she makes it in.
The film looks amazing... and it may be the right time for Stewart to be nominated, and win.
Looks dead cold and amazingly over the top at the same time. The internet will love it.
I don't think Stewart is quite right for the part but I'll be glad to change my opinion.
(very into Corrin here)
Sliiiightly nervous they only give us one line of dialogue from Stewart (are they hiding something?) but that's a nifty teaser trick, too. if the accent stays true to that one line, she nails it.
Huge Stewart fan and she is WAY overdue for recognition -- can't wait for your write up!
Oh My God... this looks beautiful and man, Kristen Stewart definitely nails Diana (though not as good as Emma Corrin). She's getting that Oscar.
Wait, is Sally Hawkins in this? Then I'm in. I'm a bit lukewarm on Stewart, and like @PeggySue, I'm all about Emma Corrin's performance as Diana. It will also be interesting to compare it with Elizabeth Debicki's turn next year.
You know, you could do a whole blog post on "who wore it best" with a BUNCH of actor portrayals of real people. Personally, I'm very excited for Sarah Lancashire's TV take on Julia Child next year vs. Meryl Streep's in the 2009 film.
@Working Stiff, I totally forgot about Watts! I do think there were a lot of similarities between The Crown and this teaser - though of course, the film might be a different story. However, seeing her in the bathroom looking in the mirror and the scenes of her dancing in the long hall/ballroom made me think of Corrin. While TV and film are different, the borders are breaking down, especially with something as expensive, lush, and carefully written as the Crown.
I wonder if Sally Hawkins will factor into the awards race. I'm excited she's here.
@CALonBWay92: I think the biggest difference is that Portman already had her Oscar by the time Jackie hit, which is a hurdle Stewart won't have!
I'm genuinely shocked to learn that this has a different cinematographer (Claire Mathon) than Jackie (Stéphane Fontaine). They share such a similar visual style that I assumed Larraín was reuniting the same team.
can we take a moment to mention Claire Mathon's work looking incredible? i'm very hyped for this now
I loved Jackie, and I am so excited for this.
I remember thinking John Lithgow's brilliant performance as Churchill on The Crown would prevent Gary Oldman from winning an Oscar for Darkest Hour. No such thing occurred. I doubt Corrin will really impact Stewart's chances, either. Like Churchill, Diana is a big enough icon that people can accept and reward two great portrayals of her, in different mediums, in the space of a year.
I NEED IT (although cinemas are closed here so I don't mind waiting for this to enter the world).