Should Ronnee have won the oscar?

One of the most touching scenes is when she asks about the man's sick wife in the hospital. That was a genuine moment. For someone who was so famous, it was a memorable act of kindness and compassion.

Oddly enough Louise Fletcher was originally considered for Tomlin's role. In fact, the two deaf children were put into the script because Fletcher's parents were both death, she knew sign language, and Altman thought it would be a nice touch to the characterization of both Reese's in how they each related to their deaf kids. When Fletcher bowed out at the last minute, Tomlin took over the role and learned enough sign language to do the part.

It's nice to see so much recognition of Ronee Blakeley in this film. I have seen it many times and I always think she makes the film for me. It's incredible that she had never acted before. Her musical performances are terrific, best in the film. And her song "Dues" should have won the Oscar that year as well.

Here is video of Blakely getting ready for the Academy Awards show with her brother:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Omx_2fwdY

I have seen Nashville countless times, literally. At least ten of those were in a theater during its first year of release. It is my all time favorite movie, I bought the DVD the day it was released, before I even had a DVD player.
Since those early viewings, I've always maintained that Ronee should probably have been nominated in the leading actress category. Yes, the cast is an ensemble but Barbara Jean is perhaps the most central character. She is given the biggest entrance and unfortunately the most memorable exit. And although she is not on screen throughout, her presence is never far from view.
Plus, it was well known that the lead actress category was notoriously week that year and the Academy members had to scramble to find five nominees. It's also ironic that the winner for the lead actress went to a supporting character. Ronee's performance ran rings around that droning monotone Nurse Ratched and would have given her serious competition for the lead Oscar. Had that happened, it's a good bet that Lily Tomlin would have won the so richly deserved supporting actress category since it was widely suspected that the two Nashville nominees may have split the vote in favor of that nothing performance by the whiny, abrasive Lee Grant. She only won because she and Shampoo's producers milked her blacklisted status for all they could. I've seen Shampoo three times over the years and damned if I can even recall more than one scene she was in.
Also compared to Nashville, One Flew... *beep* Nest is one of the most disgustingly overrated movies ever, but that's for another rant...

Y'all take it easy now, this isn't Dallas, it's Nashville. They can't do this to us here in Nashville...