Why the Oscars’ Best Actress Race Is Completely Up in the Air
variety.comClayton Davis For the second year in a row, the race for best actress is wide open, with key precursors to the Academy Awards yet to be determined.The Oscar nominees are Jessica Chastain for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (Searchlight Pictures), Olivia Colman for “The Lost Daughter” (Netflix), Penélope Cruz for “Parallel Mothers” (Sony Pictures Classics), Nicole Kidman for “Being the Ricardos” (Amazon Studios) and Kristen Stewart for “Spencer” (Neon/Topic Studios).
No performance is from a best picture nominee, a first since the 2005 lineup. And none of the contenders was nominated for a BAFTA Award, which “Nomadland” star Frances McDormand won prior to her Oscar victory last year.
So how does each become a winner (in some cases for the second time)? In a ceremony closed to media last month, the Globes awarded Kidman the lead actress drama prize for her turn as classic TV star Lucille Ball in the Aaron Sorkin feature.
If she pulls off a SAG victory, which she hasn’t done for a film despite an Oscar win for “The Hours” (2002), she may have a clear road to the Dolby Theatre stage.Colman, another Oscar winner (“The Favourite,” 2018), has never taken a SAG prize.
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