Kathy Bates, “About Schmidt”
Queen Latifah, “Chicago”
Julianne Moore, “The Hours”
Meryl Streep, “Adaptation”
Catherine Zeta-Jones, “Chicago” (winner)
WHIPP: Stripe has already won three Oscars, so give her a fourth… wait… I repeat myself. But wow, her candid, comedic, and totally human portrayal of author Susan Orlean is right up there with her career best work. Overall, I wouldn’t tinker with this fine list and all Zeta Jones powered the best picture winner, I can’t begrudge her the win.
CHANGE: I pretty much agree with you, Glenn (hey, it happens). stripe gave one of her most inspired performances ever in ‘Adaptation’ – a reminder that for all her acclaimed skills as a dramatic actor, she just might be an even better comedian. Still, who would want to snatch away Zeta-Jones’ hard-earned victory (and risk getting killed, “Cell Block Tango” style)? My only objection to this category is that it was not included Patricia Clarkson‘s stiletto-sharp turn as Julianne Moore’s treacherous best friend in ‘Far From Heaven’ — an outrageously funny, emotionally hurtful performance that makes the great Agnes Moorehead proud.
