MovieChat Forums > Lorraine Bracco Discussion > Better than Whoopi

Better than Whoopi

posted 4 years ago by NotoriousRio (12927)
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Losing at the Academy Awards for her outstanding portrayal of Karen Hill in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas to Whoopi Goldberg’s comedic performance in Ghost must be one of Oscars biggest wrongs.

As Karen Hill Lorraine Bracco holds her own and even stands out in a male dominated cast with great performances all round, especially from Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro.

Whoopi Goldberg puts in a good performance in a decent film that was a huge huge hit at the time but it’s not a performance I remember years later.

[–] rudeboymurray (3241) 4 years ago

Goodfellas is clearly the superior film (although I personally don't consider it among Scorsese's best) and Bracco gives imo the standout performance in its fine ensemble, but I have always supported Goldberg's Oscar win. The role fits her like a glove and the otherwise completely flimsy film comes alive whenever she is onscreen. Either would have made a worthy winner, but I'd give the edge to Whoopi as I believe it's harder to give a memorable performance in a mediocre film than in a good one.

[–] [email protected] (5495) 4 years ago

Totally agree. I've always said that Ghost would have just been a corny tearjerker if not for Whoopi Goldberg's performance. She's the only reason that I watched the movie in repeated viewings.

Lorraine Bracco gave a great performance. But she didn't carry her movie like Whoopi did.