What an amazingly well-rounded video! Thank you so much for not ignoring the bias against black actresses that are deserving, and naming two actresses who could have used the push!! MEANWHILE, giving Andrea her flowers!!!!

After watching To Leslie, I must admit Andrea Riseborough deserves the nomination. It was a knockout indeed.

Not gonna lie when I was watching “Till” and Danielle it felt like I was watching a young Viola on the cusps of GREATNESS!

I have watched Be Kind Rewind and gotten some insight to Sally Kirkland's Oscar campaign. Where her small studio couldn't afford a for your consideration push. Also, Bogarts 'campaigning tactics to win for an Oscar for the African Queen. I am sure there are more incidences. I am not upset when talent fights for themself. I am more upset with studio's using their money to fly voters to screenings or influence with gifts, or in the case of a Harvey Weinstein, intimidate and bully.

The thing about this situation is that it is obvious that the academy members do not watch enough movies, at least in the time given to give their votes. How many amazing performances and movies might have been dismissed only because they were not seen by those who vote. I know that the Oscars work ok campaigning and this year has been very obvious, but the only way to change these controversies is to change the rules and make sure that, in order to vote, you have seen as many films as possible. I know it may sound impossible, but I think that it should be the first filter for any academy member.

The real story here isn't that Riseborough 'stole' anyone's place. The real story is that a grassroots campaign spread the word about a phenomenal performance, which lead to Riseborough getting an Oscar nomination and all the recognition she deserves. The real story is that these actors SHOULDN'T have had to be doing the job movie critics are supposed to be doing. This movie has been around almost a year. WHERE were all the critics (and wannabee critics) that should've been giving it praise and attention? Thirty years ago (pre-internet) critics would've been raving about a performance like this. Back then, that is what we relied upon movie reviewers to do; to make us aware of the films we weren't hearing about. After the Osc. noms came out I checked KZfaq for reviews and only found one. That's it. Because in this age of online movie vlogging, it's not about discovering great hidden cinematic gems. It's all about # of subscribers and clicking the LIKE button, so why waste time on an obscure film if you can generate more viewers by covering the same mainstream crap everyone else does. Movie critics have become so self-gratifying and lazy when it comes to doing their jobs. But rather than asking why so many critics dropped the ball on covering this movie, people instead want to blame actors for promoting a film "nobody's ever heard about."

I still disagree on two things. 1. Cinematography snub for ASC nominees: Batman and Frontrunner Top Gun was the biggest shockers of the nominations. Riseborough is an easy #2 2. I still think that Viola Davis was way ahead of Deadwyler as the film had performed well across the other precursors, and personally I still think Davis did a better performance. However, I still can't understand how 99% rating box office hit with powerhouse Ensemble led by Legendary Viola Davis with the only physical transformation of a Lead Actress. Plus stellar stuntwork, editing, sublime costumes, production design, and hair. Oh and that stellar score. I don't understand how Woman King got 0 nominations.

I so badly wish Deadwyler was in this lineup. I’ve been wanting for a while for the academy to expand their acting categories to 6-8 especially for years like this when the competition is sooo strong and so many worthy options deserve to be recognized.

I've watched many Oscar winning performances in the past and I honestly feel, Andrea Riseborough's magnificent performance in a small film, To Leslie, should be in the level of these great award winning actresses. I hope many academy members will watch the film and give recognition to this phenomenal actress.

Also let's be real. Jennifer Hudson gave an Oscar winning performance in a flashy biopic last year in Respect. (Weak film, incredible performance) She even got into SAG over Stewart. Actors knew that Hudson did something special. However how she gave an Oscar winning performance but got zero buzz all season was astounding. Even when she made SAG, no one was surprised. Why? Because they knew her performance was worthy. But Hudson already had an Oscar so they didn't need to highlight her over Film Twitters/ Critic's Darling Kristen Stewart Last year. Ignore the fact that Gaga, Kidman, and Coleman were all also Academy Award winners, but Hudson didn't need buzz because she has her Oscar. The narrative quickly became after SAG "I cannot believe Stewart missed". Not one critic or actor or tweet was even shocked about Hudson but I saw what felt like an intentional effort but critics and Film Twitter to just ignore Hudson, she had SAG? Cool. Let's not even put her in our top 10 predictions list. This was just last year. She was also up for Best Original Song and scored the Grammy and Golden Globe nomination, and she couldn't even get the nomination there. So Academy Award winner Hudson woke up last year to Nominations morning seeing she missed 2 potential Oscar Nominations and THERE WAS ZERO BACKLASH last year. So getting upset over Deadwyler, but ignoring Hudson last year for me is beyond telling for where the industry and critics true priorities lie.

Her nominations rubs me in the wrong way Many who watch many independient movies throught the year know good performances are always there, but why was this different is the problem. Famous friends, thats just it I think by now you should do a "WOC and the elusive lead actress Oscar", cause thats the real question

Unfortunately, every year in every category great performances miss the cut. That’s the nature of The Oscars in particular and awards bodies in general. While I strongly believe that Cate Blanchett’s performance is the best of any male/female/lead/supporting actor this year, MANY performances have fortunately been propped up in various ways: feature stories on KZfaq and television shows, interviews, and just the honor of being part of a popular or well-loved film. The joy of art extends far beyond the award season, and those who feel snubbed but truly are great stand the test of time.

Thank you for naming without exceptionalizing this nomination. I don't think a slip of the tongue is nefarious. The Academy allowed her to keep her nomination, but I wish all those A-listers had that energy around a Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander produced, directed, and featured actor film. Thank you for naming the progress behind the problem too. BIPOC women have worked harder to get to the stage in the film industry to have some studio backing a campaign as happened with The Woman King and Till. Honestly, I think this year will be mentioned as a motivator for Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis in future Oscar campaigns for them, and awarding Michelle Yeoh, though very deserved on her end, doesn't cover the industry problem with women of color.

Having worked with her twice in film, she's a brilliant Actress, hard-working and deserves to win. Well done Andrea!

I certainly enjoyed her performance! I'm also very pleased Ana de Armas got her well-deserved nomination even in view of the fact "Blonde" is all over the place at the Razzie nominations. Michelle and Ana should both show up on the Oscars Red Carpet as MM.

The obvious issue to me is Oscar voters not watching POC led movies. I find it hard to believe you can watch Till and not nominate Deadwyler. I’m over the moon about Brian T Henry getting in, but I’ve seen people use that to validate the Academy not having bias but in reality would his performance have been seen without JLaw in that film? If it had a black female lead would they have bothered? I doubt it.

why is it considered ethical if a big studio throws millions into an Oscar campaign, and unethical for your fellow actors to raise awareness of a spectacular performance???

Claiming that black actresses were locks to get nominated so they don’t have to vote for them was sketchy as fuck!

I predicted Riseborough in my Lead Actress lineup as a NGNG kind of prediction, not just because a lot of her peers were campaigning for her, but also because out of all of the actors the one I was surprised who was campaigning for her was Edward Norton. The fact that he has a reputation of being hard to work with & he even said in his tweet that he rarely campaigns for anything and was willing to do this for Andrea, I thought, "Maybe she can make it in the lineup?" And then, she made it in...

Got to admit Whoopi Goldberg may have inadvertently damaged Deadwyler’s chances with her own missteps over the past couple of months. Her continual overt campaigning really turned me off.

I agree with your thoughts that both Cate B and Michelle Yeoh were locks. I was very surprised that Andrea got this surprise nomination with almost no precursors like the other contenders, but I am happy for her and I think her performance looks amazing in the trailer. I don’t mind Ana de Armas nomination, she was fabulous and gave her all to play Marilyn in a very unlikeable film. I did see Fabelmans, and I honestly think Michelle Williams is not supposed to be nominated for Lead, it’s category fraud. She’s the one that sneaked in to take Deadwyler or Davis spots. It’s unfortunate that the way the A-list actors pulled their strings and campaigned for Andrea helped her get her nomination which I think she’s worthy of, but this might backfire and tarnish her career for future Oscar possibilities.

I must say, Andrea's performance in To Leslie was heartbreaking and so real. However, Viola and Danielle should've been nominated, replacing both Ana and Michelle. It blows my mind how they weren't nominated!

Loved her in "Crocodile" an episode of Black Mirror.

Thank you for this insightful video. You've treated the topic with respect and clarity. I will definitely be looking to see her film and can't wait to find out if the Academy takes action, if at all. To be continued...

Love how people just glossed over the monumental nomination Michelle Yeoh got because two black actresses didn't get in!

So many amazing performances go absolutely unoticed because most low budget films can't afford advertisement. Her performance was incredible & she absolutely deserved her nomination.

That quote about her not knowing what happened is ridiculous. She knew what happened 100%. She cheated point blank.

I love these videos. Thank you for doing so much research and getting this uploaded so quickly.

Let's just go to the point... Andrea DESERVED THIS NOMINATION. She was massive and devastating... But instead of overexplaining and go through every grey area let's use examples being based on the small budget indie films existing. Do you all think this would've happened to Adepero Oduye in 2012 (only Meryl mencioned her at the Globes)? Radha Blank in 2021? Alfre Woodard in 2020? Taylour Paige, Brittany S. Hall and Kali Reis in 2022? Emayatzy Corinealdi in 2013? Kitana Kiki Rodriguez in 2016? Maybe Gwyneth and the rest were too busy specially when it comes with them bragging about the importance of inclusivity... But SHAME ON Frances Fisher, was awful using the NAMES!!!

I actually love that Andrea Riseborough was able to garner a nomination for this film. She used social media to circumvent the typical Oscar campaign tactics and it worked to perfection. Also, her performance in To Leslie is actually really good.

You always deliver. You and BKR are my favourite. Always instructive and well researched. Bravo

No one is saying her performance isn’t worthy. She isn’t worthy of her nomination because her campaign broke the rules. Many actors are deserving BUT only 5 get them. Only 5 of many deserving thus why there’s campaign rules. And her campaign broke the rules. There’s no way she didn’t know what was being done in her name by the director and wife of the director of her movie. There’s just no damn way

If Deadwyler had gotten in instead of de Armas or Williams this wouldn’t be an issue. But as it is, yeah, it looks BAAAD. 🤣🍿

I've had "To Leslie" on my watchlist for a long time because it got universal praise, a high Rotten Tomatoes score and she got an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Hat's off to indie movies like this getting some love. I like that you think she's deserving but that women of color didn't get the same kind of push. I think Michelle Williams whom is a supporting actress shouldn't have gotten in or de Armas shouldn't have gotten in.

Because her performance was so brilliant people couldn't help but notice? It's very rare but it does happen....when the moon is blue... ; - )

This whole situation is so absurd and the vitriol around her is so strong, that I won't be surprised if she wins. Who knows what's going on behind the scenes right now?

Amazing video as always!!! I really hope you do a video on the winners after the Oscars this year. It definitely has been a different kind of year for film for sure. I’m definitely anticipating several shocking wins 😮🤗

SHE GAVE ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR. TANG WEI ALSO DESERVED A NOM.

I had never heard of Andrea Riseborough before, but I watched the movie and her performance was superb. Now I am obsessed with seeing all of her performances. The nomination is well deserved. The fact that fellow actors spread the word on her performance should not be should be frowned upon when movie studios mount well funded, well organized campaigns to get their actors/actreeses nominations. I am glad there is at least some diversity in that Michelle Yeoh was nominated. (Asian actors and actresses have been largely ignored as well). So far "To Leslie" is the only film I have seen of the BEST actress nominations. I look forward to seeing the performances of the other actresses that were nominated this year as well as the performances of Davis and Deadwyler. .

I remember her from Black Mirror’s Crocodile. She was outstanding in that episode.I have not yet seen the movie but I have no doubt she was great in it. It sucks it had a terrible distributor and many people didn’t get to see it. Indie movies often if not always provide the best acting performances and yet they don’t get to reach the masses. It also sucks she is getting all that hate online. I am more appalled to see that the academy isn’t yet able to recognise female directors in their branch.

It's a good thing Michelle Yeoh got the Oscar. I absolutely was rooting for her to win instead of Andrea Riseborough because if she wins the award, she would have been the next Marcia Gay Harden & Marisa Toemi. 😅 They were also snubbed in other nominations in the other major events in the US, including the BAFTA. 😅

I've met this type of women and I have to say that Andria did a really great job. Just give her the Oscar!

My "small" opinion on this is it's only a controversy if she wins the Oscar, if she doesn't win, then it's a nomination and nothing more than that!

Whoever has any doubt about Andrea´s performance, do one thing: watch the movie. Her performance, other actors performances, and the film are amazing.

Sensationally clear--eyed take, Mr. Rowe. Your reaction on Nomination Morning closely mirrored my own (Mr. Henry, Mr. Mescal, YES). Ms. Riseborough is certainly deserving, and then some, though my heart still aches for Ms. Deadwyler, who was beyond preternatural. Ah, Hollywood. Thanks again for your wonderful insights.

Danielle Deadwyler should have a frontrunner for this prize as well. Ana robbed her nom. Andrea has always been a great underrated actress and she deserves this.

Was looking forward to this 💯💯💯

This nomination feels like actors fighting against Hollywood's typical political campaigns when it comes to the Oscars.

I think she is excellent.

Very thoughtful take on Best Actress Oscar Race. I would have put her performance MUCH earlier in your 5 reasons. (Unless 5th is the penultimate!) Campaign wouldn't have gone anywhere without how incredible she is. Contrary to other presumptions... I DO BELIEVE that - because of the personal endorsements - voters were inspired to WATCH and voted accordingly. Because, as you said, IF #ToLeslie was promoted by a large studio (like ALL the others), she would have been in the precursors and in conversation all along. The greatest TRAGEDY of this category is Danielle Deadwyler. (Not as taken with Viola. Solid but seen before. Being MS. Viola Davis. More upset that Gina didn't get more respect as director). Danielle was a revelation and DESERVED Nom. I adore Michelle but NOT this time. Fablemans overrated. Scoring noms because of Spielberg name. Ana's performance was fascinating for about 10 minutes then soooo repetitive. (The revelation in that confused film was Adrian Brody. The 1st scene between Miller and Monroe was easily the best scene in film). BUT contrary to some erroneous accusations, NONE of the endorsements of Andrea were an active dismissing of POC actresses but an uplifting of an underappreciated phenomenal actress. Most thought Danielle was a lock not only because of her phenomenal performance but (TBH) being a Black actress would have more security NOW because of Academy's efforts to diversify. Inclusivity was assumed BUT shouldn't have been in such a competitive category. Again, OTHER potentials were thought to be more vulnerable!! As far as ignored indie performances (and why not them) the NOW of this campaign I think has to do with artists rebelling against the millions spent on campaigns. Also, seeing YET AGAIN an unheralded, consummate, veteran actress being ignored. Lots of things were upended during COVID including film industry. Felt like the artists are flexing their power against the machine that is gearing up again. Look at last two BP winners. Note: Moviemaking is a business so BP this year will be bittersweet... influenced by those films that brought people back to attending NOT always the judge in excellence in art.

12:53 really appreciate you bringing this up

Andrea Riseborough was very funny in The Death of Stalin. She showed her knack for comedic roles in that movie and it would be good to see her in more comedies. She's a versatile actress. I have to check out To Leslie now...

So let's get this straight, the Academy doesn't have an issue with studio-induced, lots of money thrown at "campaigning," which some may say is lobbying, but they do take issue with an organic and authentic, word-of-mouth uplifting of a little-known performance by fans and peers?! Hmmm.

Winstlet has for sure missed out on the TRUE best performances ever in cinema-Streep in Sophie’s Choice, and Cotillard in La Vie En Rose.

I am glad to see some defense of Riseborough's performance here. I understand the sour taste it leaves in one's mouth to see two women of color in acclaimed performances miss out, but Riseborough is not to blame for it. MGM is a notoriously bad campaigner and they did not give "Till" a strong enough push and Deadwyler's relative unknown status worked against her there, and "The Woman King" blanking across the board with the Oscars just shows there wasn't enough passion for it to get Davis in. I always thought Davis was the most vulnerable person to get all precursor nods and then miss, as we have seen happen with regularity over the last decade. And while I can see some frustration at the campaign tactics, I personally think it's refreshing to see something happen like this that doesn't cost millions of studio dollars in PR junkets, talk shows, roundtables and FYC ads actually succeed. The investigation happening now (which I doubt will end in any sort of strong disciplinary action, nor should it) feels very performative, especially since we've seen similar circumstances in the past pan out (i.e. the Shohreh Aghdashloo ad in 2003, Nicolas Chartier getting blocked from receiving his Oscar in 2009 but still technically winning it, as his name was read in the list of winners). In the age of social media, when an Instagram post can carry as much weight as a paid-for campaign ad in the New York Times, rules have to be be looked at and reflect the times we're in.

Please release this film in theaters the studio needs to

Although I do understand that the Awards Ecosystem should share a bit of blame, the primary reason POC are overlooked is that Hollywood STILL does a really bad job of CREATING noteworthy films that tell black stories while simultaneously ignoring black actors when casting for race-neutral roles. I think the Academy would nominate more POC if there were more fantastic performances in quality films on the consideration list... and that's ultimately a reflection of the producers and studios, not the Academy voters. Two more points: 1) Viola Davis may have also suffered because her film received some pushback from historians concerning the accuracy of the film's story. If you're going to make an historical drama, you first have to get the history right, and they didn't. 2) Every year, only 5 performances get in, and every year there are at least 10 who deserve a nomination. There will ALWAYS be worthy performances left out. These are NOT "snubs"... they are just unfortunate side-effects of the system. Maybe it's time to expand each list to 6 or 7 nominees. They expanded the Best Picture list to 10, so why not, right?

She was amazing in To Leslie, and out of these nominees only Cate Blanchette, Michelle Yeoh and Riseborough are worthy of it. And I wouldn't even be mad if Riseborough won, although I think Cate deserves it.

I actually predicted her to get nominated. I changed this sort of last minute after reading about the huge celebrity support, and I thought sure, lets see if this actually works. I would say Andrea was actually NOT the 5th slot, given the success of Andrea's campaign. I'd say she came to 4th or even 3rd, behind the untouchables Blanchett and Yeoh. My bet it Ana was fifth. I feel bad for both Viola and Danielle (I still have not yet seen Till.... still on my list), but Andrea didn't push any of them out of the nominations list. It was Blonde! Anyhow, watched To Leslie over the weekend and was blown away by Andrea. So happy for her success with the Oscar nomination!

One thing I don't get is... no one forced the voters to put her in. They had to watch the movies and put her performance above the others. The social media campaigning was to get attention but I don't think it would've been possible if the performance would've been just mediocre. I mean the copy paste thing is fishy if they didn't watch it and just put her in to do a favor for the director. I agree though, that there never was this kind of support for black women.

Good video BTW, your video logically makes sense.

After I just watched here movie TO LESLIE she earned the winning I love it and I’m happy for her she won

So the last time something like this really happened was the Sally Kirkland campaign. Kirkland did this with 1987 technology sending out videos of her film Anna and put up her own money and call on her friends, Robert Redford and Paul, Newman, etc. etc..

I think because the push was so last minute and seemingly out of nowhere, that that is why it’s being investigated. If Ana and Michelle W didn’t have the big studio push and hadn’t been factors all season long, then it would be three shockers to potentially investigate. Sadly the one thing that should be investigated, racial bias, in the leading actress race especially, will never happen.

But best actress for Till was really expectable

I’ve never heard of the film she was in nor have I seen much of Andrea Riseborough’s work so I can’t really comment on whether I think she should be nominated or not. That all said, it’s cool to hear your thoughts on this Brian, keep up the great work!

Amazing analysis. SO now what does this mean for the eventual winner? And will the taint of how the nomination was secured change the results? Is Miss Blanchette the frontrunner still? Does Miss Yeoh now become the frontrunner? OR will Miss Riseborough now become the frontrunner? It is very sad about Miss Deadwyler, VERY sad. Maybe Miss Blanchette is right about what she said at the show where why do we have "best" anything? Can't wait to see what you think will happen! Joseph from the US

Ana and Michele got in when they shouldn't have. The Academy played these talented women. Viola and Danielle you are brilliant

She deserved it. Andrea Riseborough has been in two of the same movie: The Hidden with Oblivion with Tom Cruise. A post apocalyptic survival flick about the last 2 survivors on planet Earth fighting monsters but learn that [SPOILERS... see it first. It's a good movie!] ...THEY are the bad guys! The monsters are just humans in masks! This "protagonist was unknowingly the villain" (or pawn of the villain) is almost a trope started by the book and movie versions of "I Am Legend" and appears in various forms in a dozen other movies such as "Extinction" with Michael Pena. But Andrea Riseborough did it twice! Impressive.

As always, your insights are spot on. It’s a pleasure listening to your posts The situation Riseborough’s nomination now faces is unfortunately due to the actions of Academy Members who should have known better. Most of these actors who mounted this campaign have been nominated or won the award themselves. They know the rules and they are the individuals who should be held accountable by the Board of Governors. Actions, even good those with the best of intentions, have consequences. Riseborough, Davis, and Deadwyler are the ones paying the price and that isn’t fair nor equitable. An aside, Deadwyler’s name is spelled six different ways as I did a Google search to check my spelling, but the lack of effort by those writing about Deadwyler demonstrate just one of the barriers female actors of color must face. Yes, everyone has had their name misspelled but these errors were really off the mark considering it took minimal effort to establish which spelling is correct, now watch- I’ll have the wrong spelling.

Great video! I would have swapped out Michelle Williams for Danielle Deadwyler, kept Andrea and Ana De Armas, who's despite her movie being awful, gave a great and sometimes uncanny performance. Michelle Williams should have gone for Supporting. I know her performance has been panned by some, but she's doing something really interesting in The Fabelmans and she could have had a chance of finally winning.

Great balanced analysis of this subject. I watched the film last night and I agree she’s certainly worthy and under a bigger studio she’d have been in the conversation much more. I am upset Deadwyler isn’t there and can’t see how you wouldn’t have room for both on your ballot, but I don’t like how riseborough is getting so much hateful commentary online, The whole awards campaigning needs overhauling so more indie films, women of colour and performances in international films (Tang Wei was superb this year for example) all have a fair shot at nominations. I loved Alfred Woodard in clemency and in a pretty weak nominee list, it was dreadful she wasn’t even mentioned much. Maybe expanding to 6 now best picture is 10 would help but the whole awards campaigning machine needs to be reviewed.

I thought Taylor Russell in Bones and All was simply extraordinary. I wish she could replace Andrea Riseborough. Hope she's the second black actress to win Best Actress in the future.

Future acting races should be campaigned like this. Through old fashioned word of mouth and social media. Often brilliant performances slip through the cracks because the studios can’t cough up the bucks to promote the actors work. I would argue Davis had a better shot getting in than De Armas. The less said about Blonde the better. Williams was dumb to campaign for lead actress considering she will not win again there. She should’ve gone for supporting, thereby having a reasonable chance of taking down Bassett. Reconsider your future strategy Michelle. I saw TL on streaming before the noms and was truly blown away by Anderas work. She’s definitely deserving of a win (in another year haha), and definitely is one of the top 5 by an actress this year. The Academy is ridiculous investigating her nomination. Considering all the tactics people have used for DECADES that would make the Hollywood Foreign Press blush. Short of her paying members of the actors branch off with money, let Andrea enjoy the nom. Still rooting for Cate and her virtuoso work in Tar.

Great video & she deserves the nomination. I don't understand why throwing millions of dollars at a campaign is ok but this wasn't? I feel bad for her. Finally, her work is recognized but she has to deal with this BS.

You will always be my most beloved critic. I know it's really late in the game, but what did YOU think? Was her performance good?

The acting in the first 20 seconds of this clip deserves a best actor Oscar, I was in tears it was so moving.

So with all the actors praising her performance why wasn’t she nominated for sag?

GREAT analysis, GREAT video yet again Brian, so interesting!! I think just about everyone who follows and are keenly interested in these award show nominations is more or less disappointed, shocked, outraged, or even disgusted that Danielle Deadwyler was left out... it's just wrong!!! Btw, I really really enjoyed your reaction video too back on announcement day, such a treat!!

Wasn't Tilda Swinton the first one to be snubed despite her nominations in all other major precursors? and and wasn't Viola Davis nominated the very same year? Wasn't the academy recist back then? Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that Davis was in a stronger movie (oscar wise, not in reality) and was likely to win? nothing could've prevent her nomination that year nor her next nomination for fences. With all due respect to Davis and Deadwyler, while I honestly can't speak negatively on their performances, I also can't see them as the top five female performances of the year. True, the same can be said about Williams, however she has a strong movie (again, only in terms of the oscar IMO). I think Riseborough and De Armas had stronger performances, more difficult roles and more challenging. Riseborough is unrecognisable and De Armas if anything is underrated and should've won more awards for her role. After waching Blonde, I was surprised by the negative reviews that also prevented me from waching it sooner, it's not perfect but it's still a very good movie and I liked it much more than Elvis. Alot of eyebrows were raised when she was casted and she proved everyone wrong and I can't think of another actress doing a better job, and how hard must it was for someone who english isn't her native tongue to nail such a specific accent and voice. I don't think it's an oscars issue, it's hollywood that doesn't give black actors enough roles. every year actors left out but when there are only one or two black actors in contention it easier to single them out. Also can you elaborate why Riseborough's campaign seems illegitimate while the usual aggressive and expensive Harvey Weinstein's style campaigns are allowed? what's the difference between promoting via zoom vrs on a meet and greet?

look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions, look at my emotions...

All I know is somehow I ended up with a DVD of Shadow Dancer a BBC production starring Andrea Riseborough as a reluctant IRA operative and young mother sporting a spot on Northern Irish Accent. She knocked me out completely. In that bunch of free DVDs I was given in Copenhagen to watch in my off grid Camper when I wasn't playing Jazz piano was also a 2013 flick "Disconnect" a critically well received cautionary tale about teen cyber bullying and cyber-$exploitation and local news etc. With Jason Bateman, Hope Davis Alexander Skarsgard. So there's this ambitious selfish American local TV reporter who's central to the plot who is just flat out compelling. I was shocked to find out it was Andrea Riseborough. She is completely unrecognizable as the same actress from Shadow Dancer. Ok now I'm getting curious who is this brilliant actress. So I go to my neighborhood library in South Harbor Copenhagen and type in Andrea Riseborough and up pops a weird Scott Free Brit production called "Welcome to the Punch" which is a loading cargo Pier in London. So the rebellious plucky MI5 sidekick of the rebellious Central protagonist is of course Andrea Riseborough! Now. Here's the rub. Once they kill off her character halfway through I completely lose all interest in the film and realize that she, all by herself, made that film engaging and worth a damn! But with her character gone I completely lost interest. But Wait! I just saw two productions, because I was given free Netflix/Amazon upon my return to the States. I was watching/binging Bloodline thinking "gee this guy playing the brother Daniel is a really good actor!; oh wait! who? is this amazing actress playing his ex-wife damn she's really something ! So I look her up and it's Andrea Riseborough! WTF. She's a frickin genius actress. Only Rebecca Hall is in her league well Cate Blanchett. Plus she stole every scene she was in, in Oblivion. She more than deserves every award they can throw at her.

I'd be really pissed if Risebourough wins the Best Actress Oscar instead of Michelle Yeoh!

1st reason should be her incredible towering performance

Really thorough video. Great stuff. I wish Best Actress was Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh, Tang Wei, Danielle Deadwyler, & Mia Goth. At least people may seek out To Leslie to see Andrea Riseborough act.

She absolutely deserves a nomination in my opinion. I’m sick of the current system which is all tied in with money, marketing, expensive campaigns and schmoozing. Anytime money is involved with just about everything then nefariousness things happen. I really like that it was a grassroots campaign that got Andrea over the line and I wish there was more campaigns like it. There must be so many films with amazing performances that simply go under the radar so I’m happy Leslie has gotten more hype since the nomination. And I don’t like the narrative that it’s Andrea who made African Americans miss out on nominations. It could have been several of the others nominated too. Saying all this though, I haven’t seen it yet as it only opened this week in Australian cinemas. I’ll be checking it out on Sunday. Then ready for Oscars 😊

Why are there ten nominations for Best Picture but only five nominations in the Best Actor/Best Actress categories?

She is incredible 😍😘❤

Thanks

I hope Riseborough will win, the Actors Branch of the Academy will vote for her. But i think They will go to Michelle Yeoh for history as the first Asian Actress to win an Oscar for a leading Performance. I think the Battle is down in the two terrific women😍🙏

I do legitimately think there is NO problem with Andrea Riseborough being nominated. My ONLY complain is why Ana de Armas is there?? It is OUTRAGEOUS!!!

Why don’t they just extend the number of nominations when necessary?

Lol...I posted my comment right near the end. Great then that you mentioned her other roles...showing she wasn't some unknown actress.

ANDREA RISEBOROUGH is the best actrees of her generation, watch W.E. and many other movies for understand...she deserve her first nomination

As long as Miss Blanchett wins when March comes, I will be at peace. Otherwise I will only accept a win by one of the Michelles (Yeoh or Williams)

Very well deserving!

Andrea Riseborough was terrific in this movie, even better than the frontrunners 🏃‍♂️to win this award

They should have done this for joanna scanlan last year for after love .

i have not yet seen To Leslie, so i cannot comment on if that performance is Oscar worthy, i can tell you having seen both Blonde and the Fabelmans that they are no where near the quality of Danielle Deadwyler's emotional wrecking performance in Till! if there is a steal here, it's not Riseborough. it's Deadwyler.

She's fantastic as a young Margaret Thatcher . The long walk to Finchley. Free on KZfaq 👍