Ms. Field won two Best Actress Oscars (Norma Rae and Places in the Heart) with only the two nominations she has ever received. Inexplicably, she failed to gain nominations for her two biggest hits - Steel Magnolias and Forrest Gump
She was superb in both films. In 1989, she failed to receive a Best Actress bid for her moving portrayal of Melinda Eatenton, mother of a doomed diabetic daughter in Steel Magnolias. Field is sensational in the part of the stoic Southern woman. It is impossible for me to watch her rage at her daughter's funeral and not weep. Instead the Academy recognized Jessica Lange in a forgettable Holocaust drama, Music Box, and Pauline Collins recreating a stage triumph in a disappointing film Shirley Valentine.
Five years later, she triumphed again in as a determined Southern mother in Forrest Gump. She is terrific in the film and quite believable as the mother of Tom Hanks, though she had been his love interest six years earlier in the underrated Punchline.
I don't think it was that much of a tragedy that she wasn't in for Steel Magnolias....it's not like it's a masterpiece and not like there were other categories where the film did get nominations and Field was the only snub....say Sideways and Giamatti....
I mean isn't Julia Roberts the film's sole nomination?
As for Forrest Gump, well I think one of the main reasons could've been inner competition with Robin Wright Penn who I feel was more of an option for people than Field. Even though Field had the best part and was the bigger name and could've been seen as a "wow this two time winner hasn't been nominated in 10 years" type of thing, I think people remembered or loved Jenny more than they remembered Mama Gump....
I would've voted for Field...definetly....for a nomination, the win is still Diane Wiests....But even if I had voted for her I don't know who to take out, maybe Helen Mirren because I haven't watched that movie, I just don't know....
Originally posted by Dr. L: Ms. Field won two Best Actress Oscars (Norma Rae and Places in the Heart) with only the two nominations she has ever received. Inexplicably, she failed to gain nominations for her two biggest hits - Steel Magnolias and Forrest Gump
She was superb in both films. In 1989, she failed to receive a Best Actress bid for her moving portrayal of Melinda Eatenton, mother of a doomed diabetic daughter in Steel Magnolias. Field is sensational in the part of the stoic Southern woman. It is impossible for me to watch her rage at her daughter's funeral and not weep. Instead the Academy recognized Jessica Lange in a forgettable Holocaust drama, Music Box, and Pauline Collins recreating a stage triumph in a disappointing film Shirley Valentine.
Five years later, she triumphed again in as a determined Southern mother in Forrest Gump. She is terrific in the film and quite believable as the mother of Tom Hanks, though she had been his love interest six years earlier in the underrated Punchline.
What happened?
Well for one thing, when I saw the funeral scene all I could think of was Sybil & a very badly acted Sybil at that. Almost as embarrasing as her second Oscar speech.
I would have been much more receptive to a Supporting nod in "Gump", but I think her & Robin Wright cancelled each other out.
Posts: 4684 | Location: Arlington, VA | Registered: October 05, 2004
I am so glad Field did NOT receive a nomination for Steel Magnolias. Don't get me wrong, I love Sally Field. She was brilliant in Norma Rae which is one of my all time favorite performances by a lead actress. But to me, all of the acting in Magnolias was way over the top and campy. It is an enjoyable movie, although it hasn't aged well, but I don't feel any of the actors deserved Oscar consideration.
And - Jessica Lange was SUPERB in "Music Box". Some reviews of the film even compared it to her work in "Frances". I think it is one of Lange's best performance. Very smart, very controlled.
Originally posted by Stinger: If Field was to receive a 3rd Oscar nod it should have been for Not Without My Daughter, not Steel Magnolia's or Forest Gump.
"Not Without My Daughter" was not a popular film and was poorly reviewed so I doubt she was in the running for an Oscar for that film.
Posts: 13444 | Location: Phoenix, AZ | Registered: February 02, 2003
I think that Sally Fiedl is a terryfic actress, but i agree that Steel magnolias was a weak movie and her performance mixed good moments with campy and over the top moments. Plus, the rest of the cast was weak except maybe Julia Roberts at some points. I have never seen Shirley Mclaine so over the top as in this movie.
Jessica Lange , in the other hand, was brillaint in the music box. Pauline Collins was, perhaps , the weak thing in the bunch, and Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Tandy were the favourites.
" life if what happens to you when you are busy making other plans"
Sally Field has an interesting track record with the Oscars...
Two Nominations and Two Wins 5 years apart just like Hilary Swank. Field in 79 and 84 and Swank in 99 and 04.
In 81 Field was in Absence of Malice and many were shocked when she was left out of the Best Actress race, especially since the Paul Newman and Melinda Dillon were nominated for Actor and Supporting Actress and Field herself got great reviews and was Globe Nominated.
In 1985 her co-star James Garner was nominated for Actor for Murphy's Romance. She was Globe Nominated as well.
In 1988 she have a great performance in Punchline.
In 1989 she was good in Steel Magnolias and Globe Nominated. Yes, the film had some issues, but that hasn't stopped other actors from being nominated.
In 1991 she was stand out in Not Without My Daughter and her performance was widely praised even though the film may have been considered uneven. It was a year filled with great work, so it may have been easier for her in another year with this film.
In 1994 she again top notch in Forest Gump and SAG Nominated. Most certainly making her a shoe in for an Oscar Nomination for Supporting Actress, No dice.
Most other actress with 2 wins could have at least scored another nomination somewhere in there if you look at Streep, Lange, Fonda, Spacek, they all have managed to get additional nods.
Maybe they are worried she will go three for three. It is hard to vote against her. She is just so lovable.
"How Far Will You Go" Coming to a TV near you in 2009...
Posts: 510 | Location: Portland, OR | Registered: December 13, 2004
