Well, we’ve taken a look at the leading men, now it’s time to look at the actresses who have also fallen outside of the Academy Award radar. While there is no Gary Oldman-esque story of recognition this year at the Oscars for the ladies, these five names will hopefully be a reminder that there are more women out there other than Meryl Streep who deserve to put that funny gold statue on their mantle.
The names here include international stars, undersung character actresses and bonafide legends. Their time will hopefully soon come, but until then, here’s what they’ve done so far that deserves attention.
Robin Wright
Nomination-Worthy Roles: Maureen Quinn in “She’s So Lovely“; Clare in “Home At The End Of The World“; Diana in “Nine Lives“; Pippa Lee in “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee“; Linda Fentress in “Rampart”
Why Has She Never Been Nominated? Dismissed as a pretty face for the early part of her career, and overshadowed by ex-husband Sean Penn later on, it’s only recently that Wright has taken on the kind of parts worthy of her talents. And all too often, she’s been terrific in films that were either not that great, like “Home at the End of the World” or overlooked like “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.”
Chances Of A Future Nomination: Like many actors and actreses of late, Wright is heading to TV, playing Kevin Spacey‘s wife on “House of Cards.” But that show also has David Fincher, whom she also worked with on “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” behind it so it could be an unexpected showcase part that opens some doors. Otherwise, she’s starring opposite Naomi Watts in the Australian drama “The Grandmothers,” which could be another possibility.
Mia Farrow
Nomination-Worthy Roles: Rosemary Woodhouse in “Rosemary’s Baby“; Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby“; Tina Vitale in “Broadway Danny Rose“; Hannah in “Hannah and her Sisters“; Lane in “September“; Halley Reed in “Crimes and Misdemeanors“; Alice in “Alice”
Why Has She Never Been Nominated? It’s easy enough to excuse Farrow missing out for “Rosemary’s Baby,” due to its horror leanings, and “The Great Gatsby,” given that the film was poorly received, but it’s sort of staggering that the actress was never honored for a single one of the performances that she gave for former-partner Woody Allen. They’ve been overshadowed by the messy circumstances of their break up — through no fault of Farrow’s — but she was his real muse, and gave a string of superb turns throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. And it’s not like she went unrewarded: she has a total of five Golden Globe nominations, and three BAFTA nods, but somehow Oscar has always eluded her.
Chances Of A Future Nomination: Farrow was away from the screen for a long time, but has been more present since coming back in “The Omen,” albeit in not particularly challenging roles in films like “The Ex” and “Be Kind Rewind.” But her presence on Twitter has brought her back to the limelight, and she’s superb in Todd Solondz‘s otherwise unremarkable “Pale Horse” — could we see something more substantial from her down the line? She’s still only 67, so the potential for further great performances is certainly there.
Totally agree with Evan Rachel Wood and Maria Belo
Robin Wright have been nominated for Forrest Gump
By revealing the more deserving candidates, this article makes you really wonder how the hell Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon have not only been to the Kodak Theater as nominees but have ACTUAL OSCARS. What the fuckity fuck! Witherspoon should have been nominated for Election and perhaps for Walk the Line but the win made zero sense to me. Don't even get me started on Paltrow. She has never ever ever ever ever turned in an Oscar-worthy performance.
Sad not to see Purple Rose not mentioned in Farrow's write-up. It comes down to personal preference, perhaps, but I think it is herm ost affecting performance.
DARK Horse, not Pale Horse
I'm shocked Farrow doesn't have a single nomination.
Katey Sagal, AKA Leela from Futurama
Sure, she's not a movie actress, but she's a damn fine actress.
Mia's ex husband Woody Allen?…they never married.
Streep's turn in The Iron Lady was brillant, amazing and simply an acting clinic. Overcooked? You and your narrative are the ones that are overcooked.
Brit Marling? She's been in like two movies. You guys sure are quick to buy into the hype
Playlist , please stop overrating Scarlet Johansson. I definitely agree with Jennifer Jason Leigh
. She is as versatile as Sean Penn. Leigh truly deserved to be nominated for Delores Clairbourne- along with Kathy Bates.
Not that sheâs really overdue or anything, but Cameron Diaz couldâve had 2 Oscar nominations for Being John Malkovich and Vanilla Sky. If only the odds were in her favor. Seems like sheâs given up now and star in Hollywood fare.
Totally rooting for Robin Wright. Just like you said, if they want to get nominated one of the easy ways is to work with Stephen Daldry. He makes Oscar friendly films and he knows how to get the most out of his players.
Lili Taylor and Jeniffer Jason Leigh for me
So much love for Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. JJL was amazing in that.
I see Kirsten, EVR, Mia, and Rebecca Hall nominated sometime soon… not so much for Scar Jo. She tends to… suck.
Three words: Broadway Danny Rose. One of Farrow's best turns in a Woody Allen film. She is NOTHING like that character, but pulls it off with such aplomb.