How did Meryl Streep upset Viola Davis for Best Actress in 2011?

[Pinkpie48 Joined: Feb 11th, 2021 Topics: 10 Posts: 97 View Predictions]

#1204155224

I remember watching this live and being stunned.

I know Streep had the “overdue for a third” narrative, but her film had received relatively poor notices. And while she had won the Globe and BAFTA, the latter could be chalked up to the fact that she played Margaret Thatcher.

As for Davis, while her film wasn’t a critical darling, it was a great commercial success. She had the CC and SAG in addition to an amazing narrative as a character actress who had earned her position through decades of hard work. Her co-star Octavia Spencer won the Supporting trophy too. And of course, she would have only been the 2nd woman to ever win in this category.

I guess the Streep narrative was there, but I’ve never wrapped by head around how she beat a juggernaut like Davis that year. Did Davis have some major weaknesses?

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[hillslight Joined: Feb 14th, 2021 Topics: 1 Posts: 503 View Predictions]

#1204155311

She had the overdue narrative and it was a transformative performance.

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[Jefty2000 Joined: Sep 27th, 2011 Topics: 0 Posts: 51 View Predictions]

#1204155335

Davis is borderline supporting (again). Emma Stone is more of a true lead in the picture (again).

Also, two maids in one year?
Octavia Spencer’s win was already a foregone conclusion.

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[Melvinezq Joined: Aug 7th, 2020 Topics: 1 Posts: 1237 View Predictions]

#1204155420

Was that the other way round? I thought Meryl was more in conversation to win, especially when all wanted her to join three-acting-Oscar club.

"The Lost Daughter" in every eligible category - Film
"Succession" Season 3 in every eligible category - TV
"Heaux Tales" by Jasmine Sullivan in every eligible category - Music

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[Oscirus Jones Joined: Mar 8th, 2021 Topics: 0 Posts: 747 View Predictions]

#1204155454

1. People were begging for meryl to win

2. wasnt really an upset

3. They knew that people wouldnt be too mad at davis losing in a white savior movie.

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[SN Joined: Dec 7th, 2014 Topics: 4 Posts: 3535 View Predictions]

#1204155494

Two words:

Ha***y We***t**n

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[Bassett Joined: Dec 21st, 2016 Topics: 1 Posts: 2607 View Predictions]

#1204155523

Was it really an upset ? Meryl had the Globe + BAFTA combo, Weinstein’s lobbying machine and an overdue narrative. And for what it’s worth, she actually won a trifecta award for Iron Lady unlike Viola

I always thought she was the favorite to win. SAG loved The Help but the movie was pretty much a filler BP nominee. I don’t think AMPAS went too crazy about it, at least not enough to justify two acting wins

FYC

Best Actress - Pénélope Cruz, Olivia Colman

Best Actor - Denzel Washington

Best Supporting Actress - Aunjanue Ellis, Kathryn Hunter

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[Joined: Jan 1st, 1970 Topics: 1 Posts: 1417 View Predictions]

#1204155564

This post was found to be inappropriate by the moderators and has been removed.

[iWantTheGold Joined: Feb 26th, 2016 Topics: 0 Posts: 152 View Predictions]

#1204155566

Streep was definitely the favorite that year, it was just nobody really wanted her to win for that role. A very Oscar move that THAT was the part they finally gave her another statuette for.

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[Lil Tony Joined: Sep 17th, 2018 Topics: 3 Posts: 2878 View Predictions]

#1204155983

Streep rightfully got her due and The Iron Lady was a commercial hit too

Anticipate "Hold My hand".

Lady Gaga is a genius

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[Victor Cruz Joined: Sep 8th, 2013 Topics: 0 Posts: 1583 View Predictions]

#1204155999

Huns a maid was never going to beat Margaret Thatcher.

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[Pinkpie48 Joined: Feb 11th, 2021 Topics: 10 Posts: 97 View Predictions]

#1204156001

Thanks for the responses! Very insightful.

Was this the first time that Streep had been considered competitive for the win since 1982? Or did people think she could win in 2008 and 2009 too?

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[gabspss Joined: Sep 10th, 2018 Topics: 146 Posts: 2133 View Predictions]

#1204156071

Pinkpie48 wrote:

Thanks for the responses! Very insightful.

Was this the first time that Streep had been considered competitive for the win since 1982? Or did people think she could win in 2008 and 2009 too?

She was also competitive in 2002 for Adaptation., 2008 for Doubt and 2009 for Julie & Julia. I think she would’ve easily won for Doubt in 2008 if Winslet had been nominated in supporting as she campaigned.

It's about the chaotic editing in Moulin Rouge!

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[Ryusei Joined: Sep 8th, 2020 Topics: 0 Posts: 669 View Predictions]

#1204156186

SN wrote:

Two words: Ha***y We***t**n

“The Punisher, old testament I guess”

She knew what she was doing. (not the oscars but still a Meryl quote lol)

Emmy FYC:

Limited Series Lead Actor: Oscar Isaac (Scenes from a Marriage)
Limited Series Lead Actress: Jessica Chastain (Scenes from a Marriage)

Maid in all categories (Especially Margaret Qualley)
The Great in all categories (Especially Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult and Writing)
Better Call Saul in all categories

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[thomasrigours Joined: Oct 9th, 2018 Topics: 0 Posts: 234 View Predictions]

#1204156265

wrote:

She won the SAG award because The Help was so incredibly popular with actors, and Streep had won SAG just three years prior for Doubt. But with no directing or even a writing nomination, The Help simply did not have the support needed to win two acting Oscars. In fact, outside of Best Picture, the actors were the only branch to nominate it anywhere.

Which is why even if Viola Davis wins SAG this year, there’s almost no way she’s winning the Oscar for Ma Rainey’s

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