As for me, I'll be taking care of my acting categories this weekend. Let's get the ball rolling with Best Supporting Actress, which hasn't been this competitive in years (and that's without fraudulent leading ladies posing as supporting players).
The ease with which Paulson is able to convey all of the details of Abby's past and present with Carol is sort of extraordinary, evoking perfect measures of stoic empathy and silent heartbreak.
This problematic movie is at its best when Stewart trades rehearsal lines with Binoche for the drama within the drama, challenging our interpretation of their relationship; Incredibly difficult acting.
The perfect sober yin to Kiki Rodriguez's fiery yang, Taylor's work was easily Tangerine's most engaging element for me; A beautiful affirmation of the virtues and foibles that make us human.
What a delightful twist that this enigmatic turn is also Vikander's most awarded of the year. Ava is a complex, beguiling creation with a lot more going on under her skin than hyrdaulics and circuitry.
Quibble if you must about the inconsistency of her accent. It doesn't diminish how surefootedly Winslet spars with a lead who is constantly pulling attention – and she pulls a whole lot of it back!
JUST missed:
Elizabeth Banks in Love & Mercy
Tessa Thompson in Creed
Julie Walters in Brooklyn
Other strong considerations:
Joan Allen in Room
Tuva Novotny in A War
