Four of the leading ladies in the fray at the Oscars have got nominations for characters fighting seemingly insurmountable odds, while the other one got in for an author-backed diabolic performance. Here’s why one of the fighters is most likely to win. A closer look at the heroines — the Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Marion Cotillard
Two Days, One Night
As Sandra Bya, a worker on the verge of losing her job and trying to get it back during the weekend, Cotillard takes on a graph that requires her to go from being a sobbing mess to a portrait of resilience. The film rests on this compelling performance, but it is rather unlikely that the Academy voters would vote for an actress from a foreign film for the top prize given that the nomination itself is a victory for a leading lady in a foreign film.
Felicity Jones
The Theory of Everything
After The Theory of Everything , it’s going to be impossible to look at Stephen Hawking’s work without thinking about Jane Wilde’s unconditional love we’ve only seen through the eyes of Felicity Jones. It’s a complex role that requires her to be torn between her love for her wheelchair-restricted husband and feelings for another man. Jones makes this a character so real, human and relatable. The only reason she might not win is because hers is a supporting role, even if it’s life support.
Julianne Moore
Still Alice
Taking on the titular role, Moore lends Alice Howland so much grace and strength in this journey of a strong independent intelligent woman slowly losing herself little by little. Moore captures the crumbling of a mind and the fading of an identity with an incredibly credible performance that has been highly acclaimed for being authentic, without any of the clichés associated with Alzheimer’s portrayals in cinema. She deserves to win and is most likely to.
Rosamund Pike
Gone Girl
The only one capable of staging an upset is diabolic Amy, a dangerous mind made a lot more formidable by Rosamund Pike. Pike is the odd one out among the contenders because hers is an all out evil role and she’s not fighting impossible odds, she’s the one responsible for them. Pike sinks her fangs into this author-backed role with relish and makes us applaud her wicked streak. Would be fun if the Academy celebrates a politically incorrect character for a change.
Reese Witherspoon
Wild
Taking on a physically demanding part, Reese Witherspoon tries hard to shake off the rom-com image and comes of age as a serious actress by stepping into the shoes of Cheryl Strayed, a hiker on a 1000-mile journey of self-discovery and acceptance. As she finds her way in the woods after losing herself, it’s a metaphorical and spiritual journey for the actress and the Academy has taken note. This is her 127 Hours spread over 94 days but hey, she comes out without losing an arm.
