Does Penelope Cruz deserve the Oscar for 'Elegy' instead of 'Vicky'?
Oscarologists are paying too much attention to the wrong Penelope Cruz movie this year, according to Kevin Lewin of World Entertainment News Network. Sure, she's a pistol in her supporting role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," but Kev says she gives a dynamite lead performance in "Elegy."
There's not a big-budget Oscar campaign for "Elegy," but it's in the running, and Penelope Cruz is pushing. The DVD was sent out to the academy's acting branch early, a month or so ago, one of the first of derby season to get shipped, so there's a chance voters watched it. If so, they may be as wowed as Kevin by her performance as a student who has an affair with her professor (Ben Kingsley). Kev isn't an academy member, but he's got the DVD, watched it again this past weekend and sent us this note to urge all Oscarwatchers to keep an eye out for Penelope in "Elegy":
With Thanksgiving just days away, we all know what that means — it's Oscar time!
That first taste of turkey, or, in my case, nut roast, always seems to kick start debate about who is deserving and who will actually win come the big bash.
It might be months away, but there's so much to do — see the films, read blogs and pundits' picks, talk to strangers in bars about the clear favorites, adopt a dog or a kid just so you can continue Oscar chats at parks with desperate housewives and Lassie lovers. You think this is easy? It's a minefield of banter and opinion.
And God help you if you really think Pierce Brosnan's awkward strains in "Mamma Mia!" are worthy of a best supporting actor nod. Sure, it was a fun film, but tut, tut, tut . . .
So let me help you out here — the best argument to pick in the coming weeks is the one regarding the best actress category.
In fact, leading ladies, I wouldn't go to all the bother of picking out a nice frock! If your name is Meryl Streep or Penelope Cruz, come on down!
Any year that Meryl Streep is nominated for a quality movie, she should win. End of story. And, if you've yet to see Ms. Cruz's stunning portrayal of a desperate lover in "Elegy," you'll understand that this is one year that our Meryl could miss out on the little gold man.
Streep vs. Cruz — it's a doozy! The queen of America against the sexy Spaniard. Ding, ding, I hope I'm ringside.
Streep's "Doubt" has been creating Oscar buzz ever since Meryl signed up to play a nun — even Cherry Jones, who played the part on Broadway, is giving the movie star kudos.
And Anne Hathaway, who's a sure bet for a nomination, has confessed she's no match to her "The Devil Wears Prada" boss.
Chatting to me at the beginning of the month, the lovely Anne said, "Whenever Meryl Streep has a movie like 'Doubt,' she is the sole front-runner. I haven't even seen it, and I know I'm not going to beat that."
But Penelope Cruz might.
I watched "Elegy" again this weekend and, wow, is that some performance — so good, in fact, that our favorite Spanish actress acts Ben Kingsley's randy Gandhi off the screen in many of their scenes together.
I won't spoil it by revealing all, but this is one film you really must see — for her performance alone. It's delicate, captivating and moving.
The film itself is another one of those quiet dramas that perhaps didn't need the big screen as its canvas, but Isabel Coixet directs with a feather-like touch. There are some beautiful scenes.
And it's one of those rare gems that make you want to scoop up your partner in your arms and remind them how much you care about them.
In that way, this movie is another choice cut, like my own personal favorite film of the year — "The Visitor."
Now both these movies have perhaps passed you by, treat yourself one night and get them both on DVD and watch them back to back — they'll both remind you just how special and magical life and love are.
Photo credit: The Weinstein Co.
