SXSW Gives a Bump for Women in the Oscar Race

Per one of my commenters, I’m writing about SXSW in the futile attempt to highlight the actresses who get buzzed here (and who will later be forgotten by November). Hey, it may help the films at the box office to get any kind of press which is the whole point of marketing and PR.

Up first, Sally Field is getting lots of buzz for her performance in Hello, My Name is Doris. I think Vanity Fair’s Eric Snider talks about the conflicts critics will have with the film – too “lite” but Sally Field is so good. That any film with a female lead is headed to the theaters at all is something to celebrate. I can’t wait to see it.

One hundred percent of decent people with human souls agree: It’s been far too long since Sally Field, national treasure, has taken the lead role in a movie. This works to the advantage of a film like Hello, My Name Is Doris, which is funny and sweet, but also slight and shallow — but also, Sally Field! Front and center, playing a lovable, vulnerable, dotty spinster! The film is good, but let’s be honest, it would have delighted us even if it were mediocre.

So there you have it. Beloved icon returns to the big screen in a part she loves. Let’s hope it doesn’t get slice and diced.

Here are a few quotes from an interview with Field in the NY Times:

Field: In reality, as you get older, sometimes you forget how old you are. You walk down the street and you see yourself in your mind’s eye as still being that 18-year-old. Because that 18-year-old is still there. But then there’s the other pieces of yourself.

Q. How would you assess your career at this point, in terms of roles you’re taking on?

A. A career over 50 years is a whole lot of things. It’s a lot of ups and a lot of downs and a lot of sideways. And you just keep going. And looking for a piece that’s worth putting yourself into, like this was for me. Whether it ever comes out, I don’t even care.

Q. Do you see think there are fewer roles that interest you in playing?

A. There’s a dearth of roles for women. I turn down a lot of stuff because there’s just nothing in it for me to do. But if you’re lucky, something like this comes along and you say, sure, I’ll leap off the cliff.

Next up, Elizabeth Banks who is supposedly a standout in Love & Mercy except that you read this whole review and she is barely mentioned. Let’s see if we can find something better to hang our hat on. This review maybe? Nope, not mentioned. I’ll just take it on faith that Banks is great in the supporting role as wife and mark her down on the contender tracker, along with Field.

SXSW has yet to break out as an Oscar player in any way, shape or form. It hasn’t yet hit as a launchpad yet but this could be the year that changes all of that. As the Oscars and the Spirit Awards continue to look indistinguishable from one another, perhaps the indie scene will continue to thrive as an awards platform. It’s too early to tell.