I just read an interesting item over at InContention in which writer John Foote speculates that Harvey Weinstein’s successful campaign for The Reader may end up costing Kate Winslet the Oscar this year. His view is that Winslet gave a better performance in Revolutionary Road and may now lose to Meryl Streep next month since she was nominated for Best Actress for The Reader instead. I’m not so sure about that. While I agree that her turn in Revolutionary Road was spectacular, the Academy obviously feels much more love towards The Reader, and that she only received one nomination this year means voters have only one place to vote for her. So in a way, a vote for her Reader performance will be a vote for both performances.
But I also know that Weinstein has been counseled by some of his friends and colleagues to back off on the overall campaign for The Reader between now and the Oscar ceremony, the argument being that while a Best Actress prize is certainly within the film’s reach, it really doesn’t have a shot at surpassing Slumdog Millionaire for Best Picture or Best Director. (I’d say only The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Milk have even the slightest chance at an upset, and that’s a stretch in both cases.) This would be Weinstein’s chance, these advisers say, to run a classy, understated campaign and basically acknowledge the film’s nominations for Best Picture and Best Director as its wins in those categories. Particularly at a time when tons of costly For Your Consideration ads might not be the smartest move for a company said to be in a spot of financial trouble of late.
But let’s get real: That’s just not going to happen. Even though as recently as three weeks ago, Weinstein was telling acquaintances that he’d “be back in the Oscar race next year” with movies like Nine and Inglourious Basterds, now that he’s got a surprise Best Picture nominee, you just know that he’s going to go whole hog with the campaign. Otherwise he wouldn’t be Harvey Weinstein. And while it may end up being a waste of money as far as the biggest prize is concerned, consider this: With Winslet out of the Best Supporting Actress race, Penélope Cruz may just pick up the Oscar for her amazing work in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, meaning Weinstein could very well be responsible for both female acting winners on Feb. 22.
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WINSLET IS BRILLIANT IN THE READER!!!!!
Streep is way over the top in DOUBT!
END. OF. STORY.
Anne Hathaway was far better than both of them combined.
There is no “doubt” about it. Winslet’s performance in The Reader was tougher, trickier and more powerful then any of the other nominees. I really think this is finally her year to win and not because she has been nominated so many times, but because she gave the best performance by an actress this year. Of course that performance was in Revolutionary Road, but her performance in The Reader surpasses her compitition.
Winslet was great in ‘The Reader’ and they should push for her. Otherwise, damn you, Harvey.
I didn’t think you could be nominated twice in the same category. If so, then Kate Winslet may have received enough votes for her performance in Revolutionary Road to beat out one or more of the other nominees, but her performance in The Reader received more votes. Plus, it’s Kate’s turn. Seriously.
I’m a longtime Kate fan, and all this hoopla over her nominations and wins have me a bit concerned for her. For a long time, there’s been a lot of support from fans over being “overdue” for an Oscar, and for some reason, there’s been a backlash of some sort based on a couple of things 1) Weinstein’s decision to push The Reader into 2008 and push her performance into a Supporting One and 2) her speeches at The Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Although I believe her speeches were just fine, there’s been an overwhelming amount of negative feedback surrounding them. I worry that if she wins over Meryl, that backlash will continue for years to come. (Just look at how people still have some much ire toward Gwyneth Paltrow for winning against Cate Blanchett. As if any of that were her own fault.)
MERYL! She’s WAY overdue…
Seriously, since when is it suddenly between Winslet and Streep? Hathaway was great in “Rachel” and has a good shot at winning. Still, hard to believe the Academy ignoring Winslet yet again but one never can tell with things.
I think it hurts Winslet’s chances that her wins this award season for the Reader has come in the SUPPORTING category yet she’s nominated for Best Actress. Something is lost in the connection there for me. I really think it’s between Meryl and Anne for Best Actress. With the nomination in Lead for the Reader; I really don’t see her having a chance. She wins the GG for supporting yet wins the Oscar for Lead in the same movie. Wierd. I don’t see it. So I see it more as Meryl or Anne. Although there has been surprises before…
Winslet will likely win unless Harvey gets obnoxious in his ad campaign. That said, there is still the possibility of a backlash. What you’re failing to acknowledge is the lack of support in the technical categories shows The Reader can probably thank it’s nomination to the Acting and Directing branches. Since those votes will now be split it has no chance to win Best Picture, but if a backlash does develop against the film thanks to the other branches Winslet could be in trouble especially against Streep and Hathaway (if Winslet loses my money is on lil Anne).
As for supporting actress, I really don’t get your love of Cruz in that role. She was good, but to classify her works as “amazing” is hyperbole. I think the best performance by far in this category (and I’m predicting an upset victory for her as well) is Viola Davis in Doubt. I didn’t care for the movie, but I felt her searing performance was the best part.
I love her! She better win… her performance in The Reader is worthy. I would hate for her to lose, and then win a couple of years from now because she is “owed”.
i haven’t seen “the reader” yet, but i think kate winslet is long overdue. the lead vs. supporting controversy is moot since there’s a history of “supporting” roles winning for lead, i.e. nicole kidman & anthony hopkins. i agree with that last post. in her 10 minutes of screentime, viola davis singlehandedly delivered one of all the all time best performances. i can see acting students studying that scene for years to come.
I too find the whole thing about Kate’s performance in The Reader being a lead or supporting one is annoying and backfiring. It’s like it’s a supporting when it suits Harvey and Kate (taking a slot away from someone else in supporting), but then at the Oscar it became a lead?? (which it was all along anyway). It irritates me.
Go Kate! 8===1)
I actually liked Kate better in The Reader…I feel that she’s already given the performance in Revolutionary Road…in Little Children. It was an AMAZINg performance, but it didn’t feel as fresh as that in The Reader, which is just amazing.
I agree that haveing just the 1 nomination gives her a better chance (although OUCH, up against Streep) although I am sure she would have wanted one for RR since it was more of a pet project, with Sam and Leo involved and all.
Harvey should focus his campaign on Kate.