For years I have written about the boozing of this Academy Award winner/ Apparently she has six months of sobriety going for her right now. Good for her. At this point she was more known for her drinking than the win no one is sure was a win.
I watched My Cousin Vinny the other day after several years. I had almost forgotten about it. She was AWESOME. I really hope she stays sober, I'd love to see her play a great role like that again.
I looked up the rumor, because I hadn't before heard about it. I can see why it stuck. Tomei was good in MCV, but she was up against Vanessa Redgrave, who was so fabulous in HOWARD'S END (one of my all time favorite movies), and also Judy Davis (Husbands and Wives), Joan Plowright (Enchanted April), and Miranda Richardson (Damage).
She was also very good in The Wrestler. I think Marisa has given enough solid performances since MCV that noone should be questioning her ability or her win at this point. Like Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost, she gave a standout performance in an otherwise popcorn movie and she deserved the award.
I would add that I think she was better than just good in MCV, she was superb (I remember rooting for her that night). Plus, the other nominated actresses, while equally worthy of the award, were all distinguished with long records of accolades, so it felt right to have an ingenue win that category that year. Seasoned actors will always have an advantage over younger ones with their extra years of experience/training, so I actually applaud the Academy for supporting the younger generation, especially in the supporting actor/actress categories.
The sad thing is Jack Palance was the actor/celerity announcing the best supporting actress award that year. I thought he was drunk that night as I watched the show; and he had a chip on his shoulder; and a bone to pick with directors and producers because they weren't hiring him. He implied it was because of his age. In actuality, it was because of his diva attitude. And, just after he announced Marissa Tomei's name, he ripped the card up and stuck the pieces of it in his pocket. (I wonder whatever happened to those pieces.) Everyone still thinks she didn't win. But, what (most) people don't realize, is that Marissa had a very, very well organized PR campaign going that year; and, she campaigned the young SAG (academy) actresses to vote for her. The other actresses may have done a better job acting; but Marissa's name was the one that was announced -- and the academy never, ever questioned it. Even the accounting firm who managed the votes later stood by the announcement. (I am sure that if she truly hadn't won, the academy would have been given to the true winner the award at a later date.) Jack Palance was just being a diva a-hole that evening -- as usual. (Then, again, he's dead now and can't defend himself.)
...and it was a VERY memorable performance..."my biological clock is ticking.." scene is hilarious...& everyone remembers it...and her delivery of her lines was all uniquely hers & just perfect...--"oh yeah,you blend"... she was endearing.
Marissa Tomei
ReplyDeleteI watched My Cousin Vinny the other day after several years. I had almost forgotten about it. She was AWESOME. I really hope she stays sober, I'd love to see her play a great role like that again.
ReplyDeleteI looked up the rumor, because I hadn't before heard about it. I can see why it stuck. Tomei was good in MCV, but she was up against Vanessa Redgrave, who was so fabulous in HOWARD'S END (one of my all time favorite movies), and also Judy Davis (Husbands and Wives), Joan Plowright (Enchanted April), and Miranda Richardson (Damage).
ReplyDeleteShe's adorable and very watchable. I hope she does well if there's any truth to this.
ReplyDeleteShe was also very good in The Wrestler. I think Marisa has given enough solid performances since MCV that noone should be questioning her ability or her win at this point. Like Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost, she gave a standout performance in an otherwise popcorn movie and she deserved the award.
ReplyDeleteI would add that I think she was better than just good in MCV, she was superb (I remember rooting for her that night). Plus, the other nominated actresses, while equally worthy of the award, were all distinguished with long records of accolades, so it felt right to have an ingenue win that category that year. Seasoned actors will always have an advantage over younger ones with their extra years of experience/training, so I actually applaud the Academy for supporting the younger generation, especially in the supporting actor/actress categories.
ReplyDeleteLove her.
ReplyDeleteWhenever Untamed Heart rolls around on basic cable, I'll watch. She's great in that too.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is Jack Palance was the actor/celerity announcing the best supporting actress award that year. I thought he was drunk that night as I watched the show; and he had a chip on his shoulder; and a bone to pick with directors and producers because they weren't hiring him. He implied it was because of his age. In actuality, it was because of his diva attitude.
ReplyDeleteAnd, just after he announced Marissa Tomei's name, he ripped the card up and stuck the pieces of it in his pocket. (I wonder whatever happened to those pieces.)
Everyone still thinks she didn't win.
But, what (most) people don't realize, is that Marissa had a very, very well organized PR campaign going that year; and, she campaigned the young SAG (academy) actresses to vote for her.
The other actresses may have done a better job acting; but Marissa's name was the one that was announced -- and the academy never, ever questioned it.
Even the accounting firm who managed the votes later stood by the announcement. (I am sure that if she truly hadn't won, the academy would have been given to the true winner the award at a later date.)
Jack Palance was just being a diva a-hole that evening -- as usual. (Then, again, he's dead now and can't defend himself.)
She won because it was a marvelous, fun role, and she did it really well. I feel bad that people have tainted the win for her.
ReplyDeleteThen again, it's never really defensible to be an asshole, is it?
ReplyDelete+1.
ReplyDelete...and it was a VERY memorable performance..."my biological clock is ticking.." scene is hilarious...& everyone remembers it...and her delivery of her lines was all uniquely hers & just perfect...--"oh yeah,you blend"... she was endearing.
ReplyDeleteWas she fucking Mariska Hargitay in the MCV days or was that after?
ReplyDelete[…] April 5, 2016 […]
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