Kate Winslet at the SAG Awards: Best performance of her career
Considering how expressive Kate Winslet was when she won best supporting actress at the Golden Globes for "The Reader" — joyous, bubbly, tearful all at once — it was curious to see her sitting there at her table tonight at the Shrine Auditorium, hunched over a bit, looking forlorn, almost sad when the camera caught her just as her name was announced as winner of a SAG Award.
But she was thunderstruck. No doubt she didn't mean to look ungrateful — the news took the wind out of her. Winning tonight means, yeah, the Oscar is probably next. "They" don't secretly hate her, after all, or consider her a lightweight. When she won at the Globes, she told us poignantly how she felt in the past as a serial loser. She was so edgy, freaked, joyous, pop-eyed and frantic as she made her brief but bold confession at the podium that a few chaps back in the press room wondered out loud why she was carrying on so crazily. "Jeez, Kate, calm down!" one journalist snarled. "It's just an award!"
No, it's not. Winslet had lost five times at the Golden Globes before she won best supporting actress for "The Reader." She also had five heart-breaking, crushing disappointments at the Oscars. At some point Winslet must have felt like winning would never really happen despite what gushing fans and fawning staffers and colleagues say. Back in 1995, Winslet won a SAG Award for "Sense and Sensibility," but it was an isolated win after losing at the Globes. This win for "The Reader" has greater significance; it's part of a winning streak and she can feel it.
Tonight, the TV camera caught Winslet like a deer in the headlights — just as wonderful reality set in, magic time — as she channeled relief, awe, peace and mad joy all at once. Then, once she collected herself, she was able to rise and head to the podium to collect it.
Seeing how Winslet looked at her table tonight, having that private moment, was one of the great scenes of this whole awards season. Remember it, Derbyites. Relish it.
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She wanted to be nominated for Rev. Road. I doubt, hehe, she even cares anymore. She looked so over it. She campaigned her butt off for Rev, and to see one of the most brilliant performances ever, I could actually feel her life force leaving her in the final scenes of Rev (what acting that was, what a performance) not get nominated is just... I can't understand it.
But... the envelope called this one really early. The Reader in lead and nothing for Rev Road.
Weird how early they called that one, isn't it/
Posted by: Jim | January 31, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Do we really want this to be Meryl Streep's legacy, 15 Nominations, 1 lead win and 1 supporting win?
The woman is nearly 60 years old, do we really want to have her sing another 30 years for her supper?
It is chilling when you put up her record there against actresses with far less ability. In the end, it is the win that will speak directly to her incredible talent. These countless nominations and no wins is beginning to be an embarrassment to the entire process.
It's been nearly 30 years and she has had to sit there 12 times and see the Oscar given to someone else when in fact she has turned in several Oscar worthy performances. I hope they don't make this #13.
I saw Doubt and her performance was brilliant. It is a memorable script. Cherry Jones got her Tony and rightfully so. Meryl Streep deserves an Oscar for that role. She put in the work in all the complexities of the character she played.
Posted by: theresa | January 29, 2009 at 06:58 AM
WINSLET for the win handsdown. Why?
WINSLET - the reader. peformance wise she is already the best among the nominees. Ive seen them all..Meryl was like Devil wears prada…not that impressive. Anne…was ok but not great. same goes to leo and jolie.
+ Kate did 2 amazing performances this year. Both are award worthy for the oscar lead.
+ Kate was winless 5x. Came close the first time (S&S) and also for (ESOTSM).
+ Kate’s move +++ - Nazi, holocaust, accent, nude, BP nominee (only one of the 5 nominees) + Weinstein campaign, great actress with very impressive resume + snubbed for RR because they didnt want her to win both. ++++ everything you need.
I dont think Meryl has a chance on this. Fan-base wise…we have more love for winslet compared to meryl. Mery can settle with her 15 nominations. That alone is a reward.
KATE WINSLET is alredy lock for the win. BAFTA and OSCARS lead are for sure.
Posted by: val | January 27, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Though I've yet to see "The Reader," I've no doubts about Winslet's performance, regardless of the problems of the film itself. I keep reminding myself that we have Nicole Kidman's pregnancy to thank for Winslet's casting. Sadly, I'm sure it would have been quite a different situation if Kidman had played the role. Winslet makes most - including Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett - look like mannered theater majors.
Posted by: JR | January 26, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I watched Kate Winslet last night and was in awe of her. She was calm and collected because she has never felt so much love at awards shows as she does now. She is acting humble and grateful and not pompous and conceited.
Posted by: Brian T. | January 26, 2009 at 08:55 AM
i think kate is an incredible actress. very, very talented. the awards she has won are a testament to this.
she definitely deserves them!
Posted by: case | January 26, 2009 at 08:27 AM
she was "acting". kate winslet had to do damage control especially with the huge backlash against her after the golden globes. but she appeared sure of winning, so she just had to choose whether to act excited and crazy or to act calm and collected. in choosing the latter, she appeared pompous. so the audience gave her a very polite applause (look at shirley mclaine's face when kate winslet rose to the podium) except when she mentioned the names of sydney pollack and anthony minghella.
contrast that to the audience response to meryl streep's win. you could just feel the spontaneous outpouring of admiration, respect and love for this acting treasure who gave an intelligent and witty speech.
Posted by: alluhrey | January 26, 2009 at 05:27 AM
I just watched that clip and she really acted differently compared to the golden globes. She was calm and collected when she accepted the award.
Posted by: SkyLight | January 25, 2009 at 11:35 PM