"sweetheart..."

Which Best Actress would you have voted for 25 years ago in the Oscar race?

• Brenda Blethyn, Secrets & Lies (BAFTA, GLOBE, LAFCA, CANNES, BSFC)
• Diane Keaton, Marvin's Room
• Frances McDormand, Fargo (SAG, OSCAR, NBR, CFCA, KCFCC, CCA, SEFCA)
• Kristin Scott Thomas, The English Patient (NBR *supporting)
• Emily Watson, Breaking The Waves (NYFCC, NSFC)

This is why we do Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals here at TFE. It's easier that way! Anyway... 1996 was one of those years like 1950, 1974, 1987, 1995, or 2006 that Best Actress fans will be debating forever. Do you think 2021/22 will be like that or will we look back on the current race as a mild 'coulda been better' one? 

Comments

[Rob]

@jules, Nathaniel: I totally where you're coming from Nathaniel but like Jules said, cultural impact isn't a *primary* reason to award an Oscar but it's certainly a huge get when it happens. If Meryl Streep had won for Devil Wears Prada (excellent example, Jules), that would have been a real feather in the academy's cap. Instead they gave her her third Oscar for Iron Lady, a movie no one seemed to like much, even at the time. It's all hindsight, yes, but (going back to my first example from yesterday) did anyone think Michael Caine in Cider House Rules was doing anything special at the time he won? Aside from Osment, he was also up against Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley - a star-making performance if ever there was one! Good conversation to have, at any rate.

[Andrew Carden]

Blethyn > Scott Thomas > Watson > McDormand > Keaton

[davidandwaffles]

This is one of my favourite Best Actress years ever. It's a really rich mix of films, characters and performances. Laura Dern was robbed! Even leaving out Madonna, Love and Reynolds who were in the conversation. McDormand would get my vote, but I have to stand up for Keaton. It's very hard to play a kind and warm character without it being smarmy. Her monologue about love is delivered with such beauty and nuance. It's a deserved nomination.

1996 was the so-called "year of the indies," and Illeana Douglas for Grace of My Heart and both Catherine Keener and Anne Heche for Walking and Talking would be worthy (however unlikely) nominees.

[Emily Sarah]

Best Way to Get Your Ex Lover Back Fast Even If Your Situation Seems Hopeless!. I just got my husband back through the help of genuine love spell caster Lord Zuma. My name is Emily Sarah am from Tx,USA. My husband left me for another woman, This was just 3 years of our marriage. The most painful thing is that I was pregnant with our second baby. I wanted him back. I did everything within my reach to bring him back but all was in vain, I wanted him back so badly because of the love I had for him, I begged him with everything, I made promises but he refused. I explained my problem to my friend and she suggested that I should rather contact a spell caster that could help me cast a spell to bring him back , I had no choice than to try it. I messaged the spell caster called Lord Zuma, and he assured me there was no problem and that everything will be okay before 12 hours. He cast the spell and surprisingly 12 hours later my husband called me. I was so surprised, I answered the call and all he said was that he was so sorry for everything that had happened He wanted me to return to him. He also said he loved me so much. I was so happy and went to him that was how we started living together happily again. thanks to Lord Zuma . if you are here and your Lover is turning you down, or your husband moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact Lord Zuma for help now..
WHATSAPP MOBILE NUMBER: +15068001647,
Email him at: spiritualherbalisthealing@gmail.com