Best Actress in a Leading Role
Although the awards race does not indicate it, 2014 was a strong year for women in cinema. The reason why it seems like an open-and-shut race is because many of the most acclaimed performances of the year – Marion Cotillard in The Immigrant and Two Days, One Night, Essie Davis in The Babadook, Anne Dorval in Mommy – are too under-the-radar to get industry attention. While Cotillard was on our original predictions list, the Dardenne Brothers’ film was snubbed from the Foreign Language race.
So, do not expect any big surprises when they announce this category. The Academy Award shortlist should look almost identical to the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice candidates.
After four nominations and no wins, Julianne Moore has emerged as the early frontrunner to finally get well-deserved Oscar gold for her devastating performance as a university professor with early-onset Alzheimer’s in Still Alice. First-time nominations also seem locked for Rosamund Pike, who gave one of the year’s most chilling performances in Gone Girl, and Felicity Jones, for playing the supportive but stifled Jane Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Meanwhile, Reese Witherspoon gave the best performance of her career as a woman battling the elements and her own dark past in Wild. (Her prior victory for Walk the Line makes a repeat win much less likely, though.)
Although the fifth spot seemed like a space that was up for contention, it will likely be filled with a more familiar face: Jennifer Aniston, who has earned a startling amount of awards buzz after Cake’s relatively quiet festival launch. Despite mixed reviews, her portrayal of a bitter woman dealing with chronic pain and depression has earned raves for its fullness and honesty. With building industry support, a nomination should be well within her grasp.
Final Predictions:
Jennifer Aniston, Cake
Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon, Wild
