Didn´t Kathy Bates deserve an oscar?

I just saw this movie last night, and it really got to me! It's like what Mystic River was supposed to be, only better! More gripping, a more interesting central relationship, and a tour-de-force by Kathy Bates, who just has one of those faces that conveys a world of pain and so many expressions at once. This was a vehicle for Bates as well as the rest of the cast. Leigh, Parfitt, Plummer, and Strathairn were all wonderful. Heck, it was nice to see even John C. Reilly in a small but distinctive early role!

I'm glad that I'm not alone in thinking Bates deserved a nomination at the very least. 1995 is probably the best or second-best year for Lead Actress performances. There were at least 10 women worthy of recognition.

The nominees were:
-Susan Sarandon, Dead Man Walking: overdue and a worthy winner. This is a stunning performance, and like Dolores Claiborne, a brilliant vehicle for its actors.

-Elisabeth Shue, Casino: this was her one day in the sun. The movie is better remembered for Nicolas Cage, and rightfully so. He was amazing, and I say this as someone who, like most, thinks his performances have been ridiculous in recent years. Shue's performance as a prostitute isn't that showy, and it's more about the subject matter than her acting ability, but she is gang-raped and has a chilling scene in the shower washing herself off afterward. She was very worthy of the nomination.

-Emma Thompson, Sense and Sensibility: I see why they nominated her. Many enjoy this performance to this day, and this was a Best Picture favorite, too. It's not easy to do what Emma does in any movie, and I'm always impressed by her talent. On the other hand, this was an ensemble film, and apart from her brilliant line readings and that one crying scene, in a strong year I don't think Thompson's nomination was necessary. Plus, Kate Winslet stood out to me more, granted she had the more beguiling role.

-Sharon Stone, Casino: I really enjoyed Casino, and I'm all for histrionic performances where warranted. However, this year, I would have gladly kicked Stone to the curb. It was a role that still hinged on her looks, and it was obvious with her Golden Globe win and Oscar nod that they wanted to invite to the party a beautiful leading lady and box-office queen. She was electric and colorful, but she's not an amazing actor. The character was pretty bare-bones and frankly over-the-top.

-Meryl Streep, The Bridges of Madison County: haven't seen this one. With Meryl, you're always getting greatness, but from all accounts this isn't one of her more memorable, powerful performances. At least with Meryl you know she's always coming back!

Other contenders:

-Nicole Kidman, To Die For: she won the Comedy/Musical Golden Globe, and I love this performance. She and Joaquin Phoenix (also snubbed) carry this movie. I can see why they wouldn't nominate something light like this up against more heavy-hitting dramatic performances, but I think this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime character turns and a real 180 for her.

-Jennifer Jason Leigh, Georgia: haven't seen this, but Kathy Bates's costar is reliably excellent in everything she does. She's basically typecast herself as a druggy/alcoholic type, but that can't be easy to portray. Leigh's costar Mare Winningham was nominated in Supporting, so I'm sure Leigh was in the conversation for this film.

-Julianne Moore, Safe: this is a very muted performance in an offbeat indie, but I find it mesmerizing. I can see why it went over the Academy's heads in a year with several strong, dynamic roles for women, but it's another example of Todd Haynes's unique storytelling and the nuance, emotional investment, and frequent surprises Moore brings to a role.

-Toni Collette, Muriel's Wedding: I love this film and performance, too. Sure, it wasn't what is typically called "Oscar caliber," but she does an impeccable job. No one else would play that character like she does. Rachel Griffiths is even more impressive here.

Then you have the people who would never have a chance even in a weaker year, but who deserve special mention nonetheless: Alicia Silverstone in Clueless, Annette Bening in The American President, Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter in Copycat, and even Liesel Matthews in A Little Princess.

I probably would have kicked out Stone, Streep, and Thompson for Bates, Kidman, and Moore, and found a place in Supporting for Leigh and Parfitt for Dolores Claiborne. If there could only be one winner, Sarandon was still the right one. What a great year! This year we'll be lucky if there's one good Best Actress performance.

Frankly, I think Kathy Bates deserves an Oscar for practically any role she's ever done.

Here's another prime example that sometimes it's the luck of the draw when it comes to nominations, not just the basis of one's color. And BTW, she's White.

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If there's a category for most ridiculous fake accent, then, yeah.

Who did get the oscar that year? I suppose I could go look it up 😕

Of course, but she’d been awarded one a few years earlier for Misery and they didn’t want to give her another, for another Stephen King project no less, so soon.

I get it, but they at least should have nominated her.