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Anyone Else Think Mary Tyler Moore Deserved That Year's Oscar?

posted 7 years ago by evanston_dad
5 replies | jump to latest

Just finally got around to seeing "Coal Miner's Daughter," the film that won Sissy Spacek an Oscar in 1980. Spacek is great in the film, but now that I've seen both performances, I have to say it's still Mary Tyler Moore's in "Ordinary People" that haunts me the most. Moore was Spacek's chief competition in that category, and from what I've read the race was pretty close. I'm wondering if Spacek doing her own singing is what tipped the balance in her favor. Would anyone else have voted for Moore over Spacek?

[–] jd-suarez05 7 years ago

Nope just you

[–] looking4ahandout 7 years ago

The mechanics of Hollywood were in Spacek's favor. She had established herself as a big screen actress while Moore was small screen. The previous nomination for Carrie gave her leverage as well. Not to mention that she sang her own songs. Plus she played a real person and there is a bias in favor of such roles with Oscar voters.

[–] Aunt-Peg 7 years ago

And Spacek swept all the critics awards that year as well.

[–] julierom 7 years ago

Mary Tyler Moore couldn't hold a candle to Spacek's performance. Sissy WAS Loretta! She was incredible!

[–] Cookie.L.A. (2117) 7 years ago

The role of Beth in ORDINARY PEOPLE has no variety to it (not really Moore's fault.) All the performer had to do was appear uptight.