1. Emma Thompson in Howard's End (1992)
I watched this before the nominations came out because I adore these two actors and had never even thought about Tammy Faye Baker's story. For as much as this version is true, what a lovely human whose life and work was manipulated by powerful, straight cismen for their benefit.
I'm a little lost on this one. It makes me want to read the book because I can see E.M. Forster's style of story in the plot, but the film itself was so boring. The supposed tension didn't drive the plot, and none of the characters were likable. Emma Thompson was good, but there was so little to her character that I'm shocked it gained attention. I haven't seen any of the other nominated performances from that year, so perhaps they were somehow less interesting?
2. Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
For the purpose of this list item though, Jessica Chastain was incredible. While I didn't always feel like I was watching the real Tammy Faye, who is familiar to me because she had so much TV time when I was growing up, it never felt like Jessica Chastain. She fully developed the character and grew with that character throughout the film. It's a really, really great watch.
3. Jodie Foster in The Accused (1988)
Well, this was a tough watch, especially in the midst of the Supreme Court pulling all kinds of dangerous shenanigans, and extra especially because this film could be made today, almost shot for shot, with almost no rewrites, today. This was 1988. And people who have been raped face the same bullshit they displayed in this film.
Jodie Foster was incredible. She really melted into her character. I'd never seen her play anyone like that, and I can't imagine what it took for her to shoot some of the scenes. Fucking stomach turning.
