Experience the performances of the talented actors nominated for the best supporting actress category at the 96th annual Academy Awards. You can watch exclusive clips from their performances and catch up on insightful interviews with the nominees. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 10, as the 2024 Oscars are set to take place on this exciting day. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s most prestigious event!
Emily Blunt, “Oppenheimer”
The movie “Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned physicist whose work became the basis for the first nuclear weapon. However, the story is not just about his scientific achievements but also his personal life, which was marred by his reputation as a “womanizer.” In the movie, Oppenheimer’s army overseer, Gen. Groves, expresses concerns that his personal affairs may jeopardize his work on the atomic bomb.
In one particular scene, Oppenheimer meets Kitty (played by Emily Blunt) at a party. Even though Kitty is married, the two hit it off immediately. Eventually, Robert and Kitty get married, but Oppenheimer still maintains an emotional attachment to Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh), with whom he had an affair. Later, he is devastated when he learns of Jean’s death.
After the war, Oppenheimer is accused of disloyalty due to his association with Jean, who was a communist. In a hearing orchestrated by the Atomic Energy Commission, Kitty stands up to the aggressive questioning of Roger Robb (played by Jason Clarke), who is investigating Oppenheimer’s political leanings.
Blunt’s performance in the movie earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Oscars.
The movie “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, revolves around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist who played a crucial role in the development of the first nuclear weapon. The film portrays Oppenheimer’s personal life, which becomes a threat to his work as he is seen as a “womanizer” by his Army overseer, General Groves. Cillian Murphy plays the role of Oppenheimer, while Emily Blunt portrays Kitty, a woman he meets at a party. Despite Kitty being married, they become involved in a romantic relationship.
Oppenheimer would eventually marry Kitty, but he continued his emotional attachment to Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh) and had an affair with her. Jean’s death shattered him. After the war, Oppenheimer was accused of being a communist sympathizer and was brought before a hearing by the Atomic Energy Commission. Roger Robb (played by Jason Clarke) led the investigation into Oppenheimer’s political leanings and his attachment to Jean. During the hearing, Kitty stood up to Robb’s withering questioning and defended her husband.
Emily Blunt received her first Oscar nomination for her performance in the film.
Danielle Brooks, “The Color Purple”
“The Color Purple” is a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s classic novel that portrays the lives of three women: Celie, Sofia, and Shug, in the 1930s South. Throughout the play, these women stand up against oppressive male figures and reinforce their sisterhood. Sofia, played by Danielle Brooks, is one of the protagonists who fights back against her abusive husband, Harpo, in a violent relationship. In one scene, Sofia makes an entrance and introduces herself to Harpo’s father, Mister, played by Colman Domingo.
Brooks’ life was transformed when she watched “The Color Purple” musical at 15 years old. She saw people who looked like her, with dark skin like hers, and Felicia P. Fields (who played Sofia) was a plus-size woman. This representation was a spiritual experience for Brooks, who grew up in church. She suddenly saw where she could go and what she could become. Singing “Hell No” in the musical became an anthem for Brooks, saying no to her fears, impostor syndrome, and the belief that she’s not enough.
Her journey led her to Juilliard, where she made her Broadway debut playing Sofia in the 2015 revival, earning her a Tony Award nomination. When she learned she had won the role in the movie adaptation, she received a phone call from Oprah Winfrey, one of the producers of the new musical version and the actress who played Sofia in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film. Brooks felt her life was about to change and that she had a responsibility to all the Sofias living in the world. She needed to speak for them, as Oprah did for her.
Returning to the role of Sofia in “The Color Purple” film was a significant moment for Brooks. As a wife and mother, she understands the importance of representation and what it means to have a studio film under her belt. She has been in the industry for over 11 years and recognizes that there is a cutthroat business attached to acting. It’s not always fair or kind, and it’s definitely not for the weak. However, like Sofia, Brooks is a force to be reckoned with. Her advice to younger actors is to embrace what makes them unique, even if it makes them cringe. Being a plus-size girl, having dark skin, or curly hair is what differentiates them from the pack and what makes them stand out.
Brooks has appeared on Broadway in “The Piano Lesson” and was the executive producer of “Ain’t Too Proud.” She won three Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role in the series “Orange Is the New Black.” “The Color Purple” represents Brooks’ first Oscar nomination, and she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to represent all the Sofias in the world.
America Ferrera, “Barbie”
“Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of the beloved plastic doll Barbie was much more than just a simple children’s story. The screenplay, co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, was a beautiful tribute to the aspirational role that Barbies have played in the lives of countless girls, while simultaneously being an indictment of the real-world challenges that young girls face. These challenges include growing up in a society that often prioritizes image over substance, and that doesn’t always appreciate women’s work, accomplishments, and sacrifices.
The movie features America Ferrera, who has been nominated for an Oscar, in the role of Gloria, a mother, wife, and employee at Mattel. Gloria is responsible for sketching new designs for Barbie dolls, including some bizarre ones like “Irrepressible Thoughts of Death Barbie.” Gloria’s childhood Barbie comes to life, and she has a conversation with it that reveals the complexities, contradictions, and social pressures that women experience in today’s society.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ferrera revealed that Gloria’s monologue hit her as powerful and meaningful when she first read the script. She also said that it felt like a gift to deliver something so cathartic and truthful as an actor. Ferrera estimates that she performed the scene between Gloria and Barbie about 30 to 50 times on camera. Ferrera said that there were no specific targets to hit, and every take was different, ranging from anger to laughter. Over the course of filming, the scene found its shape, and Ferrera worked hard to stay present in the moment and allow the words to take her where they would.
Ferrera was drawn to the duality of Gerwig and Baumbach’s screenplay. She told Harper’s Bazaar that she laughed, cried, and laughed again while reading the script. For a performance that is considered one of her best, it’s surprising that Ferrera herself was never a fan of Barbie dolls growing up. Her family couldn’t afford them, and she didn’t see herself reflected in their world. Despite this, Ferrera is excited about being a part of this movie that expands and shifts the narrative to include more people. Ferrera first gained recognition for her role in “Real Women Have Curves” at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. She later played the title role in “Ugly Betty,” a TV series that earned her Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Awards. “Barbie” is her first Oscar nomination.”
Jodie Foster, “Nyad”
The movie “Nyad” features the talented actress Jodie Foster as Bonnie Stoll, a coach and friend of the endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, played by Annette Bening, who is determined to achieve her lifelong dream of swimming from Cuba to Florida, a feat that she failed to accomplish in her 20s but is now determined to try again at the age of 60.
Bonnie, at first, dismisses Diana’s dream as quixotic but later agrees to take on the challenge as part of her support team. The movie tells the story of several grueling attempts made by the duo at completing the swim, until one point where Diana nearly dies from jellyfish stings. Despite Diana’s determination to push through and make another attempt, Bonnie decides to quit, and both of them draw a line when it comes to their safety.
However, in an emotional scene, Bonnie reconciles with Diana, and the two women’s deep friendship is revealed. Foster, who knew both Diana Nyad and Bonnie Stoll, said that the partnership between the two women was extraordinary. She also added that Diana was incredibly charming and always the center of attention. She had read every book and memorized every fact, and Bonnie was her minder in many ways, a calming presence that Diana needed. The dynamic between the two women was beautiful, according to Foster.
Foster also noted that there was something special about the friendship between two women of a certain age who, for some reason, didn’t have children or end up in love partnerships. Diana is obsessive and on her path, while Bonnie is eccentric and solitary, and they both become each other’s family. Their rich history and culture are all woven into their friendship without the viewers realizing it, and the depth of their friendship is like no love anyone has ever seen, according to Foster.
Foster also acknowledged that her role in the movie was not as physically demanding as Bening’s. She spent most of her time on the side of the boat, sucking in her stomach. Foster has won two Academy Awards for her roles in “The Accused” and “The Silence of the Lambs” and has been nominated for “Taxi Driver” and “Nell.” “Nyad” is her fifth Oscar nomination, and her performance in the movie is a testament to her talent as an actress.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers”
Alexander Payne’s film “The Holdovers” is set in the year 1970. The story revolves around a classics professor, Paul Hunham, portrayed by the best actor nominee Paul Giamatti. Hunham is entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of his student, Angus, during the Christmas break. However, it is Mary Lamb, played by nominee Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who steals the show as the cafeteria manager at Barton Academy, a prestigious New England prep school. Mary’s melancholic character is grieving the loss of her son, Curtis, a former Barton student who died in the Vietnam War. Her sorrowful emotions are so profound that they twist the film’s gentle, nostalgic humor into knots.
In one of the scenes from the movie, Mary explains to Hunham why she decides to stay at Barton Academy during the holiday break when the school is shut down. It is her first holiday without her son, and she shares her feelings with Hunham. In another scene, Mary tries to make the best of a difficult situation when a restaurant refuses to serve cherries jubilee to an underage customer due to alcohol laws.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s previous credits include “Dolemite Is My Name,” “High Fidelity,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “The Idol,” and “Rustin,” in which she played Mahalia Jackson. She was classically trained as an opera singer. Her performance in “The Holdovers” won her the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. This is her first Oscar nomination.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Randolph shared that she felt fortunate to have been approached by Payne after he saw her in “Dolemite.” She believes that it is essential to stay on top of one’s game as you never know when someone might be watching.
Randolph thoroughly enjoyed playing Mary’s character, who was full of life and didn’t conform to any stereotypes. She appreciated how Mary openly grieved and didn’t compromise herself, even during that time in history when it was challenging for women to do so. She wanted Mary to feel like someone’s grandmother, aunt, or best friend – a maternal figure that people could relate to.
Randolph drew inspiration from her own life experiences, where she observed how grief showed up in her family members and other Black women in her life. She believes that Black women have an uncanny ability to cover up their emotions and operate at a higher level of efficiency to do so – almost like a superpower. She wanted to capitalize on this and ensure that her character was busy and authentic. For instance, she insisted that Mary’s cooking would look weird if it wasn’t real.
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