These nominees are certainly not very similar to the Oscars. Why? Well in this case it's not because I disagree with their choices. In fact, if I had gotten the chance to ACTUALLY watch all the films that have this years outstanding nominees for Best Actress they might have all made the cut. Saw Shape of Water and yes, I was impressed by Sally Hawkins, but not enough to end up making the cut. Francis McDormand and Saoirse Ronan were great and easily nabbed slots. That said, let's not take away from the other three powerful and gripping performances I've chosen to compete.
The nominees:
Elizabeth Olsen in Wind River
The performance:
Olsen has finally broken through. After slowly building a nice rep, separating herself from her sisters, performing in lots of indie films whilst starring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Wanda Maximoff, Olsen had a major 2017 - though not in cash, but through acclaimed performances. Olsen's portrayal as naive FBI agent Jane Banner in the crime film Wind River was masterful: slowly unraveling the mystery in snowy Alaska. It haunts her, and by the end, she changes drastically. Wind River deals with rape, violence, and desolation. Needless to say it's dark. But more so as it seems like a story that could actually come to life - oh wait, it's loosely based on a similar crime. Olsen's Banner is a realistic character that we can grab onto, and thanks to this, she's a true leading actress.
Why Olsen Wins:
Unlike the other nominees, Wind River received more than just a Best Actress nod: Best Picture and Best Screenplay. In a desolate setting, Olsen, alongside her fantastic partner Jeremy Renner, helps fill the void as the movie tenses up. Her other advantage is that she gives a much more realistic and gritty approach, unlike the other three. I'm not knocking on the other performances, but the films they were in held aspects that weren't as believable. It helps that this movie is (loosely) based on a true story.
Frances McDormand in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
The performance:
We all know McDormand will win the Oscar for Best Actress. So why not compete to sweep for everything including a trophy from the Merrick Awards eh? "Why not" she'd shrug, not really caring. That's Frances for you.
Award buzz aside, it's not hard to see why McDormand is the clear favorite, and while I don't think Three Billboards deserves Best Picture, McDormand is pretty darn awesome in this film. A driven, pissed off mother wanting vengeance for the raping and murder of her daughter, McDormand displays a calm anger that pulses through every "chess" move she makes, becoming the talk of the town and fighting the police force on her way to achieve the one thing she wants. Yet we do see emotion and hurt, which adds depth to this tough woman, and I won't be arguing if she wins the Oscar or Merrick trophy.
Why McDormand Wins:
With all the political stuff going on, and this film focusing on a woman *ahem* who is angered about the sexual abuse *ahem* and murder of her daughter, hard not to see why that, alongside a career best performance by Frances, gives her the edge for voters, knowing her character speaks volumes of what many are raising their voices for and is now becoming a mascot in a sense for what has occurred in 2017. All that aside, looking strictly at her performance, I can't in good conscience let the external factors affect my final verdict. Her performance is definitively one of the best over the last ten years, and this is really her Merrick Award to lose at this point, but I do see one other nominee taking the win.
Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman
The Performance:
Heroic. Inspiring. Powerful. Thank you Gal Gadot for being the woman every man wishes he could have. Smart, brave, and funny? Check. Princess Diana is strong, even stubborn, but in a great way. As a leader she doesn't let her ego get in the way, being the example we all need. Too many times movies make the women closed off, "to cool", all "caring means you're weak" and what not. It puts me off. So much so they do those things seemingly to show that they can be up there with the men. But not Diana. She doesn't see herself above anyone, being humble and serving to others, but when she needs too, she says to her man "do not tell me what I can and cannot do." Awe snap and #boss. She creates a hero that's vulnerable, caring, but not weak. I'd be pretty confident if I had her as my leader but not Black Widow or those other action heroines who are supposedly "bad-ass". Gadot is way more awesome and "bad-ass" then they could ever be, holding a charisma quite lacking in those other females, while giving us hope for the DCEU (though short lived after Justice League came out...) And did I mention she's stunningly gorgeous? She gets acting points for that right? No? Fine...
Why Gadot Wins:
Wonder Woman is the first ever comic book film to feature a leading female as the protagonist. And Gadot more than killed it. It's history. That's a huge advantage. Magnetic. The one word I'd use to overall describe her performance. DC got it right with giving newcomer Gadot a chance to shine, using every moment she had to drive the film. I mentioned how Olsen was the most realistic. Diana gave us an almost unrealistic hope for our broken world as she's surrounded by death and despair. Is it too much to ask to have real people like her? I'll probably have to do a redux of my best superhero performances list.
Nicole Kidman in The Beguiled
The Performance:
Playing next to naive and rebellious teen girls and an injured corporal serving in the Civil War, Kidman owns this movie. It's a film that survives off of the cast and how they deal with decisions and the consequences following them. But this is Nicole Kidman. She shows us why she's better than the rest of 'em, portraying a school teacher who will do whatever it takes to protect her students from the dangers of the world - even as far as killing. It's an "on the edge of your seat" film by the end of it, and while I have mixed feelings about the film overall, Kidman does her part.
Why Kidman Wins:
As I said before: this is Nicole Kidman we're talking about. She deserves to be on here similar to a Meryl-Streep-always-being-nominated-just-cuz-she-did-a-movie-that-year nomination. Wow that was a mouthful.And while she's not quite at Streep's level just yet, we can all agree she's up there, and this performance does nothing to hinder our high regard for this veteran actress. You just can't argue with a win from Kidman. Her only hindrance? She's already won many awards including an Oscar, that's really her only hindrance. But we voters here aren't too worried about that.
Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird
The Performance:
Lady Bird didn't pull any punches. A perfect blend of dark comedy, naivety, rebellion, coming-of-age themes, and drama that pulsates from director Greta Gerwig's vision and then in and through Saoirse Ronan. Ronan has always been a fine actress, but like Olsen, this is her breakthrough performance that should propel her to other big-name films and roles. She is super annoying at times in this film, but that's kinda the point. She is a young senior at a strict catholic school that tries to break the boundaries and rebel against her loving mother. It's organic but also comedic at the right moments, as her subtlety reveals just how sweet and funny the little things in life can be, or how hard and impactful they can be as well. Ending with her realizing how caring her mother is and that she just wanted what was best for her throughout the story was earned because of the performance Ronan gives. Both emotional and at times edgy, it fits the
Why Ronan Wins:
Ronan separates her self from the pack through the unique role that isn't always recognized in film, but absolutely deserves it here. Being young would hurt her at most award shows , but I don't award based on past success or possible success. Awards are, and should be, based on the performance's merit alone. Yes, we don't see that anymore and it is a shame, but not here. Ronan has given the arguably most authentic role that in terms of realness, is at Olsen's level, though the humor and outrageous behavior just barely takes that aspect a peg lower than Olsen. But the humor is a vital part of her performance, and this original character and perfect portrayal by Ronan vaults her into serious contention.
THE WINNER:
After lots of mulling and debate, my winner came down to two choices. The edge came due to the sheer impact and shock I felt after the performance of one, versus an entertained and thoroughly impressed performance from the other.
ELIZABETH OLSEN.
Biting, shocking, and speechless, my best friend and I couldn't believe what we had witnessed in the theater after Wind River, and Olsen never missed a step here. Frances McDormand came so so incredibly close, but there was a comedic over the top sense that was within her performance (which was necessary mind you). I never doubted for a second the horror that Olsen's character became face to face with in Wind River. It was a rare performance where my jaw literally dropped and nothing came out.
Olsen, you deserve this first ever Merrick Award for Best Actress. Take good care of it for me.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know your thoughts and stay tuned for the next award!
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