To my mind, she absolutely deserves it. For one, it's actually a supporting performance (not like Alicia Vikander and Rooney Mara last year who were leads snuck in to the supporting to increase their chances). Second, it's a beautiful, sublime turn by an actress at the peak of her abilities. AwardsDaily has her on their list for Best Supporting Actress. It may be Midnight Special's best bet and I daresay it's a great role and performance.
shareI don't consider her role as supporting at all. It's an ensemble movie and if one of them has to be considered the lead, it's the young boy.
It would be nice to see her nominated because she was amazing with just a few lines but a truly emotional role. I was very moved by the resilient, taciturn and caring mother who deep down knows she has to let her son go.
However, I don't think she will make it. She is extremely underrated. Just imagine how she has been criminally ignored by the Oscars for Melancholia, Marie Antoinette, and The cat's meow.
She hasn't won the popular Golden Globe for Fargo and she wasn't even considered by the same one for her performance in The two faces of January, Bachelorette, All good things, Elizabethtown, Eternal sunshine, Crazy beautiful and The virgin suicides.
Far too many if you consider how other young actresses end up being nominated for virtually every overrated performance (Jennifer Lawrence for Joy and American Hustle, Michelle Williams for Marilyn, Scarlett Johansson for Lost in translation, The girl with a pearl earring, A love song for Bobby long, and Match Point) or end up winning for far more trumpeting performances (Natalie Portman for Black swan or Anne Hathaway for Les Miserables).
I always say I much prefer her being ignored than overrated. I care about quality and not hype.
However, we know how Hollywood works. If you are not dubbed "Academy Award nominee" you are sidelined, especially an actress.
In fact, even though she is consistent in her work she is not considered by award boasting directors in award boasting movies and for award boasting roles. She struggles to be a leading lady.