[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203915374

gabspss wrote:

I told y’all about Nicole’s role. It’s too small.

I disagree. It was a major supporting role for Kidman. She is in the movie the whole way through, even when she is not the focus of the scenes, she is in scenes doing something. Not really sure why some people think the role was too small. These are what actual supporting roles look like….not category frauded leads that pretend to be supporting parts.

Kidman’s impact is significant as well, because I’d say she is the MVP alongside Streep.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203892140

As some others have said, it’s between Joy and Kidman. Leaning towards Joy for now, but I think it will probably be pretty close and could go either way. Kidman is Globes royalty and The Undoing is a monster hit. Those factors help her a lot.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

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wolfali wrote:

Kidman could win SAG but I highly doubt she wins anything else. The Globe imo is between Coel and Taylor-Joy.

There is no way on earth Coel can be favored over Kidman at the Globes of all places (which love her to death) in such a mega-hit as The Undoing. Coel has been hurt badly by Shira Haas, and especially Anya Taylor-Joy. There are only so many rising young starlets that the Globes can concentrate on at one time, and Taylor-Joy has taken that spot (and Haas arguably had it over Coel, before Taylor-Joy and The Queen’s Gambit swooped in and took that spot from both of them).

It’s Taylor-Joy vs a Veteran at the Globes, not her vs another newcomer/ingenue. And that veteran right now is most likely Kidman. I think Taylor-Joy is most likely to win the Globe, but the logical race is her vs Kidman. Coel is a “happy to be nominated” type of choice for the Globes (who barely can ever be bothered to even nominate Regina King, despite her dominant streak at the Emmys. Being blunt, the Globes history with black women in the TV category is not great)

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

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mafro987 wrote:

Where our opinion differs mainly lies with Kidman and Grant rather than Noma. I think Noma elevated her role, though I agree that it wasn’t necessarily a difficult part to play and that plenty of other actors would also have done so. Kidman and Grant on the other hand consistently made poor choices throughout the show. It’s the worst I’ve seen Nicole for quite some time.

Fair enough. Agree to disagree then. I thought Kidman gave one of her best performances in this, and for me, as did Grant. Never found him this complex before (and again, they both do something special in the finale). I feel like the reason this show has been such a big hit is primarily because of their performances.

But agreed that Noma is a find, and hope she gets recognised as well.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203884200

mafro987 wrote:

I haven’t seen the finale yet, but I would go further than ‘holding her own’ – she completely outacted both.

That’ll be an emphatically strong no for me. Noma Dumazweni was good in a very straightforward role for 3 episodes that a lot of very good actors could have done just as well. The tough as nails, take no-nonsense lawyer. She didn’t need to act any extra layers to the role. It’s a generic part that she infused with charisma. The difficulty level of Kidman and Grant’s roles however (which require multiple layers), was on a completely different level to Dumazweni’s, and they both crush it. I like seeing new faces as much as the next person and I’m looking forward to seeing Dumazweni in other things, but I won’t overrate her contribution either. There is a reason actors like Kidman and Grant carry projects and are at the top of their profession. They deliver, and delivered here.

The fact that right up until the very end, I didn’t know Grace might actually be guilty/inoccent or Jonathan might actually be guilty/innocent, show what a fantastic balancing act Kidman and Grant have done to keep the audience guessing and on the edge of their seats for 6 episodes. They had to be sympathetic and shifty at the same time. No one on this show came even close to what the lead pair did. The finale just emphasises that, imho.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203884192

With The Undoing done, I’m right now predicting Nicole Kidman to win for Best Actress In A Limited series and Hugh Grant to win for Best Actor In A Limited series.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203884170

I’d put decent money on Kidman winning SAG for limited series actress after this. Her courtroom testimony scene in the finale is the kind of thing actors drool over. Not to mention her performance throughout the rest of the series. And pretty much everyone in the industry seems to be watching and enjoying this. I feel like Kidman is probably the only person with the momentum and respect to challenge someone like Anya Taylor-Joy at the Globes (but Taylor-Joy probably wins there).

Grant will be a threat everywhere. He really brought it home with his performance in the finale. I know Ethan Hawke had stronger reviews for The Good Lord Bird, but there doesn’t feel like anywhere as much hype or interest for his show. Which is positive for Grant.

I think Noma Dumazweni is going to get some surprise supporting actress nominations. She really was the breakthrough performer in the second half of the season, and impressed by holding her own with Grant and Kidman. I think people will want to recognise this interesting newcomer.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203881584

GWalters wrote:

Travis Scott is now tweeting about The Undoing, saying he can’t wait for the final episode.

When you get one of the biggest hip hop stars in the world tweeting about your show, you know it’s hit the zeitgeist..

Hopefully the last episode doesn’t disappoint..

And Nicole Kidman is responding to him. She knows getting the seal of approval from Travis Scott helps puts her show in a different category of broad based appeal (younger fans, hip-hop fans etc).

https://twitter.com/DOGVILLE2004/status/1332908972362391553?s=19

I feel this is probably a more zeitgeisty show in terms of penetrating popular culture than The Queen’s Gambit, which at least a few weeks ago was getting more hype as the zeitgeisty show of the moment. The Undoing seems to be attracting every demographic possible. Never realised it would/could become a big show with African-Americans, but the responses to Issa Rae and Travis Scott’s tweets and just more comments on social media suggest a lot of AA’s are digging the show.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203879215

Even black Hollywood is hooked on this show. Issa Rae posting about how much she is enjoying The Undoing:

https://twitter.com/IssaRae/status/1332483706326454272?s=19

I think people are really underestimating how big this could be at industry awards. Other shows may be more acclaimed, but I could really see this show potentially sweeping at something like SAG for Kidman, Grant and Sutherland.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203877737

KingOfMovies wrote:

Meryl had given 5 great performances in 2000s. (I’m not even considering her 2010s roles since those are hated by film twitter aka “awards decider of who deserves and who doesn’t”). So Denzel is being called #1 for just 1 good role while Meryl is not even on the list for her 5 good roles? Sounds biased and shitty list to me (even going by your logic).

Denzel won an Oscar in the 2000’s for Training Day, and was nominated for 3 more in the last eight years (Flight, Fences, Roman J Israel). He should have won another Oscar for Fences. I feel like this should be common knowledge on an awards site. The 21st Century has been pretty productive for him, and he’s giving some of his most acclaimed dramatic performances recently.

He gives strong performances in everything, even his action/popcorn films. He makes average films better. And when he isn’t doing movies, he’s busy winning Tonys for acting on Broadway. Still a titanic actor, and an absolutely deserving choice for the no.1 spot.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203845180

In a profile of the Top 20 rising stars in Hollywood for The Hollywood Reporter, one of the chosen stars, Normal People’s Daisy Edgar Jones singles out Nicole Kidman (whom she is currently watching in The Undoing) when asked whom she is most dying to work with:

The Person I’m dying to work with “I’m currently watching The Undoing with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant and I just love Nicole Kidman. It’d be ridiculously cool to be able to work with her”.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/next-gen-talent-2020-the-hollywood-reporters-rising-young-stars-revealed

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203840260

Miles wrote:

Nicole Kidman’s performance thus far is easily on par with any other TV performance given this year in my book. She is phenomenal.

Agreed. She is killing it on this show.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203840248

This was probably my favorite episode. Mainly because it focused more on character development than the suspense leading up to the eventual cliffhanger (which I enjoy, but this felt like a welcome change of pace). Kidman was fantastic as usual, but this episode gave far more for Sutherland and Grant to do, and both really delivered. The heart to hearts Grace had with both Jonathon and Franklin were truly touching and allowed all three actors to really shine. The new female lawyer is great in this episode as well. The character moments in this episode were terrific. And everyone is still a viable suspect, which is an achievement with only 2 episodes left. Writing and direction was on point as usual.

The Undoing isn’t really anything more than a whodunnit with classy production values and great acting, but who says you need to be anything more? This show is 20 times more watchable and entertaining than something like Mrs America, which was boredom inducing to me at the same stage.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203836067

Sean C wrote:

Taylor-Joy’s main advantage at SAG is that, at this point, I have to imagine she’s going to have been in what will be the most widely-seen of the nominees in the category (and certainly, most widely-seen independent of the awards process). With a voting body that huge, that counts for something.

Taylor-Joy won’t have that advantage against Kidman at SAG. People are watching and enjoying The Undoing in significant numbers. Kidman is also obviously much more respected among SAG voters than Taylor-Joy.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 8 Posts: 587 View Predictions]

#1203836053

forwardswill wrote:

The increased ratings for episode three that you indicate are represented mostly by delayed viewing. This is good and fine but frankly you would expect this given that the show is three weeks into its run now and people have had extra time to catch up on the first two episodes. But the reason HBO has made sure to detail the press release in this way is to make it look like more of a hit than it is by hiding the fact that the show’s live ratings are collapsing. This is not a good sign as, although they are of decreased importance in the modern era, live ratings still indicate the level of urgency that the audience has to view the content. If more people choose to watch at a later time, it is a likely indicator that the level of passion or immediate interest in the show is waning. It is worth noting that Lovecraft Country maintained stable live ratings across its run.

(I’d like to add that I am enjoying The Undoing so am not hating on the show, merely providing a more measured perspective on the idea that it is a bonafide audience smash)

LOL!

Live ratings for The Undoing are massive. They aren’t collapsing. They have increased each episode by around 18%. It’s a huge hit everywhere (US and overseas), by any measurable standard.

You need to be careful about getting false or inaccurate information and disseminating it as if it were fact (the low-ish live numbers you got were for a re-run of the 2nd episode). Check and double check your sources.

So now that we know The Undoing is a big fat popular hit, can we stop playing down it’s chances? For General Audience buzz right now, it’s competitive with The Queen’s Gambit, with the added advantage of having superstar leads (Kidman, Grant) as opposed to a promising newcomer (Taylor-Joy).

For me, the upcoming Best Actress in limited series at the Globes and SAG is a straight shoot-out between Taylor-Joy and Kidman. I don’t think anyone else will be as competitive as those two, because their shows are so new and performing so well. Maybe I’m wrong and someone like Haas surges, but that’s what it feels like to me right now anyway. Also Kidman may have a slight advantadge at SAG as she’s a vet.