Will Scarlett be Woody's next Oscar champ?
Tomorrow, at last, when "Match Point" opens in theaters we will discover if moviegoers shall embrace Woody Allen's big comeback as enthusiastically as critics. If so, Woody may have his first shot at a best picture nom since "Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986) and his first best director bids since "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994) and "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989).
All Oscar eyes are on Scarlett Johansson, too, considering how well actors usually do in Woody films. Previous champs in the supporting races include Michael Caine ("Hannah and her Sisters," 1986), Dianne Wiest ("Hannah and Her Sisters," 1986; "Bullets Over Broadway," 1994) and Mira Sorvino ("Mighty Aphrodite," 1995).
Typical of her reviews for "Match Point" is this gushing from Variety: "More of a blond bombshell than ever, Johansson combines strong elements of sexuality, self-doubt and emotional insistence in an indelible portrait of tragic beauty."
Johansson's chances for Oscar recognition are helped by lingering outrage over the fact that she was snubbed in 2003 when everybody associated with "Lost in Translation" received noms except the doe-eyed ingenue with a lost gaze whose performance gave that film its soul.
But, beware: assuming Johansson finally makes the cut this time, she isn't automatically a winner. Consider this list of Woody contenders who've lost in the supporting slots in the past:
Maureen Stapleton, "Interiors" (1978)
Mariel Hemingway, "Manhattan" (1979)
Martin Landau, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989)
Chazz Palminteri, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994)
Jennifer Tilly, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994)
Judy Davis, "Husbands and Wives" (1992)
Samantha Morton, "Sweet and Lowdown" (2000)
Meantime, Johansson has already scored a Golden Globe nom and faces off against these rivals on Jan. 16: Shirley MacLaine ("In Her Shoes"), Frances McDormand ("North Country"), Rachel Weisz ("The Constant Gardener") and Michelle Williams ("Brokeback Mountain").
Ive seen Match Point and indeed like it! Its not your typical Woody Allen film...which could either turn on or turn off ampas voters. But Scarlett is way overrated. She is not only bland...but we who have seen the movie...all feel that this perf is something we have all seen before. It kind of reminded me of Natalie Portman's Closer...except Scarjo's is way overrated...and does not deserve an Oscar before Natalie Portman. I think she will probably lose the globe to either Rachel Weisz or Michelle Williams. She will probably be nomed for the oscar...but wont win. Gong Li of Memoirs for a Geisha deserves to win. I loved Memoirs..and dont understand why so many critics decided to join the bandwagon and either like it...love it...or hate it! This is an outrage! But I agree Scarlette wont win! Her perf did nothing for me. Emily Mortimer was better!
Posted by: Russen Vela | January 03, 2006 at 05:23 PM
I think the media is making way too much of the possible awards potential of Match Point. I think it'll come and go. I agree that SJ is a little over-rated. I don't find her to have much of a range. I don't see her getting a nomination.
Posted by: TorontoTom | December 29, 2005 at 05:36 PM
To be fair to Jennifer Tilly though, she lost in the exact same year that Dianne Weist won... for the exact same Woody Allen movie (Bullets Over Broadway).
Posted by: KamikazeCamelV2.0 | December 29, 2005 at 02:47 AM
I think it was more a case of category confusion than a snub that cost SJ two years back. The powers that be made the idiotic decision to push her in the supporting category for LIT which, obviously, cost her dearly. It's an issue that Maria Bello is facing this year w/ kudos coming her way in both lead and supporting categories.
Posted by: Robert Schuette | December 28, 2005 at 05:14 AM
I wish I could join the chorus of praise for Johansson in Match Point but I feel her performance isn't entirely successful. She's good in the early seductive scenes, one-note in the later scenes. A stronger performance would have bolstered an already strong film. Because the actress who plays Rhys-Myers wife gives a stronger and subtler performance, Johansson's limitations are all the more apparent. The gushing for her seems to stem from her sexiness and from her previous snub. She was far better in Lost in Translation and Girl With a Pearl Earring.
Posted by: b signor | December 28, 2005 at 12:04 AM