American actresses just might have a shot
At last -- A race in which we don't have to mention Saving Private Ryan. Last year's crop of performances by American actresses was so fallow that only As Good as It Gets' Helen Hunt made the final five. This year, the home team stands to improve its showing. Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts have that whole older woman/younger woman/laughs/tears/Christmas/death vibe in Stepmom (the last time two actresses tried this, in Terms of Endearment, both won nominations). Meryl Streep, who has figured in a couple of Oscar races, has two shots this fall, in One True Thing, opposite contender Renee Zellweger, and as part of the Irish-sisters ensemble of Dancing at Lughnasa. And don't forget Oprah Winfrey for Beloved, as well as critics' darlings Christina Ricci for The Opposite of Sex and Ally Sheedy for High Art. There's just one catch: There'll always be an England. This year, that means Vanessa Redgrave for Mrs. Dalloway, Brenda Blethyn and Jane Horrocks for Little Voice, Helena Bonham Carter for The Theory of Flight, and Emily Watson for Hilary and Jackie could all carry the Union Jack straight up the red carpet. Damn! If Spielberg had only thought to give Tom Hanks a girlfriend...
