As a victim of rape, and with several friends having similarly experienced sexual assault (to varying degrees, all without a satisfactory legal outcome), I would love to see Mulligan win. I just cannot see AMPAS rewarding her on the whole. She may have passion from a small but vocal group. But equally she will have those who are passionately against her because maybe it brings attention to past behaviour they’d prefer to forget. Her biggest hurdle isn’t the awards she’s lost, it’s the still biggest demographic within the academy: older who’re men. This is not to accuse all. But many, probably, have been guilty of some version of events seen, or alluded to, in the movie.
Whilst I would give this to Mulligan, I hope Davis pulls off the win if not. To those obsessed with her screen time: I was thinking about her whenever she was off screen. That isn’t down to anything but Davis’ incredible portrayal. Which actually makes it more impressive given her limited screen time.
I’d also be fine with Day – her film was terrible but she was exceptional – though I do have an issue awarding somebody with no intention to continue acting (a separate discussion – would somebody like to make a thread on one time nominees that then gave it up?), Or Vanessa, or McDormand. The fact she has two acting Oscars aside, which Academy members will struggle with, her performance here is extraordinary. She seems to have rightfully stepped aside to focus on the film as a wider player and for this I think the vast respect she has will only increase. This will eventually translate to a third acting win. She seems to do more than her peers for underrepresented talent, despite her no comment on Rudin. She seems more focused on backing up her latest acceptance speech, which I admire, if it helps real change.
