MovieChat Forums > Fatal Attraction (1987) Discussion > Is there a worse Best Actress snub than ...

Is there a worse Best Actress snub than Glenn Close as Alex Forrest?

posted 10 years ago by theb1927
15 replies | jump to latest

Glenn Close's performance in this is ICONIC... I actually assumed she won for this for so long (Academy likes villains, Kathy Bates won for "Misery"), and recently found out CHER took home the gold? Ridiculous. Cher is talented, but her character in Moonstruck wasn't half as complicated or demanding as Close's.

Outside of Gwyneth Paltrow winning over Cate Blanchett, I can't think of a worse Best Actress result. (I personally think Jessica Chastain should've won over Jennifer Lawrence also, but I understand why it was a close race).

Your thoughts?

[–] curious_chaos 9 years ago

I would agree with most of what you said! Excellent post. Except I think the worst Oscar snub of all time goes to Ellen Burstyn losing to Julia Roberts.

I like Julia Roberts. I like Erin Brockovich. But Roberts could never ever reach the heights Burstyn set in acting.

Ellen Burstyn achieved cinematic perfection in Requiem for a Dream. A milestone performance, if you will. One that fellow actors look at closely, study, and admire. (Marlon Brando in Last Tango, Charlize Theron in Monster, De Niro in Taxi Driver type stuff)

To think that the Academy gave out a popularity Oscar to Roberts' admittedly fun and spunky performance over a seriously masterful and unforgettable performance from Ellen Burstyn is very disappointing. I don't really care much about the Academy Awards and the politics that rule them these days, but it does make me a lttle upset still because there is simply no logic to why Roberts won. Hahahah

And I think Jessica Chastain should have won the Oscar btw

[–] DenLilleHavfrue85 9 years ago

Ellen Burstyn in Requiem - one of the absolute greatest things I've seen onscreen.

[–] wylierichardson-966-922691 9 years ago

It's worth noting that Glenn Close won only one award for her role in this - some German 'international actress' award, that is not remotely as well-known as the Oscar (or even the Golden Globe, for that matter). Most of the Best Actress awards that year went to Cher and Holly Hunter.

And the poster who complained about Julia Roberts winning over Ellen Burstyn didn't take into account the fact that Ellen had already won that coveted award (for "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore").

As for my 2 cents on the issue? I would have voted for Melanie Griffith over Jodie Foster for Best Actress (in 1989); Jodie was certainly good in "The Accused", but she won the same award only 3 years later, whereas Melanie has yet to be nominated again.

[–] InherentlyYours 9 years ago

'Most of the Best Actress awards that year went to Cher and Holly Hunter'.
----------------
Cher won none of the major awards that year. She shared a GG with Kirkland.

Also, the idea is not give the award to keep an even gameboard, but to who deserves it. So, giving it Melanie Griffith would be snubbing another actress

[–] wylierichardson-966-922691 9 years ago

But but definition, any award can go to only person per year, thus snubbing everyone else up for the same award.

[–] highpriestess32 9 years ago

I am also inclined to agree.

I said in another thread a while back how amazing Glenn Close was given that ordinarily (well to that point in time), she had to my knowledge mostly played gentler characters and looked a little too "willowy" and soft-featured. But in Fatal Attraction she was capable and sporadically DID look very harsh and scary. She looked soft and feminine at the Saturday office meeting but during scenes like the rollercoaster ride she looked like the crazed woman she was.

close has admitted that she was very uncomfortable and embarrassed having to act the scene where she was wearing just a teddy (lingerie). It was the scene where Dad confronted Alex over her visit to his house to feign interest in buying their apartment. She must therefore have been shy about revealing her breasts but it didn't effect her performance at all. She put a lot into that role and I definitely feel she should have won the award.

"Has anyone seen my wife?" - Columbo

[–] SenoritaTorres 9 years ago

I thought Cher did a fantastic job in 'Moonstruck' but I agree the role wasn't all that demanding. I definitely think Close should have took the Oscar. Still, there have been bigger robberies at the Oscars.

[–] manram24 9 years ago

I agree, she deserved the Oscar but to me the Oscars are a joke anyway. I mean the role of Alex Forrest is a once in a lifetime role and she nailed it.

Y'know, I could eat a peach for hours

[–] renatom1 9 years ago

What about Mary Tyler Moore losing for her role in Ordinary People? Her performance in that film was amazing.

[–] manram24 9 years ago

That's a good example too, she should have won the Oscar too but then again the Oscars aren't always given to the deserving recipient.

Y'know, I could eat a peach for hours

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

What about Mary Tyler Moore losing for her role in Ordinary People? Her performance in that film was amazing.
________________
Moore's nomination was her win and was always going to be, considering she was up against a more showy and deserving performance, given by winner Sissy Spacek in 'The Coal Miner's Daughter'. Moore was very good; but her character wasn't that likable either and Spacek was a silver screen darling by the time she won her Oscar. Moore was renowned for tv.

As for Cher winning an Oscar over a bunch of formidable nominees—Close is my choice—was based on a popularity factor only. It is not Cher's fault and she is entertaining to watch in MOONSTURCK-87'—it was her presence that gave the film it's popularity—that lies with those that chose to cast votes her way.

I also think Bette Midler was more deserving for THE ROSE-79', over Sally Field for NORMA RAE-79'. Field was still a worthy winner though and I can accept why she won.

[–] InherentlyYours 9 years ago

'What about Mary Tyler Moore losing for her role in Ordinary People? Her performance in that film was amazing'.
-------------------
why amazing? For her, it may have been easy to play such a role. 'Amazing' is a very extreme word.

And Glen Close was not necessarily the frontrunner; Sally Kirkland may have been since she won some of the precursor awards. Or it could had been the other actress whose name escapes me.

[–] rascal67 9 years ago

Sally Kirkland may have been since she won some of the precursor awards.
________
Kirkland was lucky enough with her Globe win. The dramatic category, didn't have Cher or Hunter competing. Hunter won more precursor awards, than all of her fellow nominees. The runner up was likely Holly.

[–] I_Love_Hutch 9 years ago

"Why amazing? For her, it may have been easy to play that role. "
_________________

So what you're really saying is that a person can't do great work if it's easy for them. That actually does not make any sense. If you see someone struggling with a part, are you going to be more inclined to think they did a better job? No. You just don't like to give anybody credit for anything. You are always trying to find any possible flaw in the argument, even if it doesn't make sense.

[–] danubeveins 9 years ago

Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond!