Amid the surfeit of underdog titles vying for Oscar glory, a special prize for maximum cojones should go to the producers of indie Brit drama “London River,” who are mounting a campaign for Brenda Blethyn’s superb lead performance — despite the obstacle of the film lacking a US distributor.
The film (which was disqualified as Algeria’s Oscar entry due to excessive English dialogue) has just begun a week-long qualifying run in L.A., and if you happen to be around, you owe it to yourself to give it a look.
As I wrote in my June review of the film from the Edinburgh fest, it’s a quiet, humane piece dealing with the still-sensitive subject of the London terrorist attacks of July 2005. Despite this political currency, the film doesn’t draw overt attention to itself — but it affords Blethyn her finest showcase since “Secrets and Lies,” tempering the familiar rhythms of distraught-parent drama with less flattering streaks of prejudice and self-absorption.
It’s a stark, affecting portrayal from an actress whose career could currently benefit from an awards boost, and more noteworthy than a number of Best Actress contenders with heftier campaigns behind them. Here’s hoping enough voters take the time to seek out this gem — but it faces an uphill climb.
Comments
14 responses to “Brenda Blethyn angles for Oscar attention in ‘London River’”
These small campaigns are really foolhardy. There’s nothing wrong in trying but these are essentially pipe dreams that will not happen. A small Brit drama wont certainly make the cut. Happy-Go-Lucky can be actually considered a major movie by a major director, yet even that was essentially too small and niche for he academy.
I dunno… It does seem unlikely, but if Richard Harris could get nominated for The Field (over Al Pacino in The Godfather Part III, no less!), then surely anything is possible?!
Never in a million years although blethyn could do with a meaty role like her shoulda won secrets and lie one.
“blethyn could do with a meaty role like her shoulda won secrets and lie one.”
go see Breaking the Waves.
This would be a near improbable nomination at this point, but anything to shake up the races would be appreciated.
I predicted this way back at the start of the year, and it’s been a shame to see it fall by the wayside.
She’ll always be Mrs. Maclean to me.
Glenn: As did I. My predictions for Nathaniel’s Actress Psychic contest are going to look embarrassing by the year’s end!
Yes, same with me. Two of them – Watson and Blethyn – won’t even get released from the looks of it, Swank dived off the deep end, Pfeiffer would make a huge shock and Mulligan. At least I’ll get ONE!
Ah, I could’ve told you Watson wasn’t going to happen.
Still, who am I to talk … I went for Renee Zellweger! (Not, I hasten to add, because I thought “My One and Only” would be any good.)
I also picked the wrong Mirren vehicle and, in all probability, the wrong Streep one too. Sigh.
go BRENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! at least she’s got BAFTA nom in the pocket
nanoush: it’s not a done deal, unfortunately. Sally Hawkins won Best Actress at Berlin, Golden Globes, LA, NY and National Society of Film Critics for Happy-Go-Lucky and BAFTA still didn’t n0minate her!
To my knowledge, “London River” doesn’t even have a scheduled UK release, so a BAFTA nod is hardly likely.
(Plus, BAFTA have been shamefully neglectful lately when it comes to recognising independent British fare.)
Alex in Movieland said…
“blethyn could do with a meaty role like her shoulda won secrets and lie one.”
go see Breaking the Waves.
i have seen every 96 actress performance and blethyn was my fave watson 2nd kidman 3rd.