Just came back from Venice Film Festival, I was overwhelmed by Kirby’s performance in Pieces of a Woman, she is unbelievable in the first 30 minutes and has a devastating monologue near the end. For now, I think if Netflix plays well its cards, she is undeniable – granted, if Viola’s narrative (and performance) doesn’t overshadow Kirby. Ellen Burstyn is magnificent too, she made me cry many times. On the other hand, Nomadland… I’m disappointed. I found the movie rather flat, and weak in its portrait of a ingenuous America where all people are good and pure, and the nomad way of life is easy and conflict-free. The directing is okay, Frances is perfect, but I would have given the Golden Lion to other films (The World to Come, Pieces of a Woman, In Between Dying, Wife of a Spy, Miss Marx were all more interesting and stronger). Still, I think Zhao will get plenty of nominations and Nomadland could have the same lucky fate as Roma/Cuaron.
what about strathairn ? Is oscar material or a cameo ?
