I was surprised to learn that in the last 10 years, the Oscar for Best Actress hasn’t been awarded to any woman over 39. For the past 9 years, it was even lower, around age 35. If Judi Dench, Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep wins, she will be the most mature recipient since 1990 when Jessica Tandy, at age 80, won for Driving Miss Daisy.
A weird thing happens to male actors, especially movie stars, in my experience. Which is, they become grumpy old men. I think a young male actor feels great. All the girls want him. He’s a star. As they get older, that sense of not being in control of their own destiny sort of grates on them, and they get grumpy. And they move into direction to try and feel they’re in control of their own destiny…I don’t feel psychologically challenged, because I’m in a collaboative situation on a set with a director…
One of the great advantages of getting older is that you can walk into a world which is more truthful and less to do with other people’s fantasies. Helen Mirren
Well, who’s it gonna be? Likely the decision is already made; we just don’t know who it is yet.
I often think life is hardly fair. Tremendous performances can be turned in by several, but because of the thoughts-of-the-year it’s a shoo in for one who might not in other years be the choice. But that’s life! On to the next project! Talent wins out, Oscar or no Oscar.
When asked if they still had to audition for roles, Dame Judi said:
I think sometimes we might be without knowing it. If you’re having a kind of friendly [there's that word again!] meal with somebody and you suddenly see those very beady, gimlet eyes looking at you, you might be auditioning then.
I like to see power going to older women. It makes me feel more secure.
No, seriously, I was just seeing if you were reading. I don’t feel more secure, but it may move us away from the 60’s kind of veneration of youth.
A well-known George Bernard Shaw quote is:
Youth is wasted on the young.
I hardly think so. But I’d like to see age like Dylan Thomas did:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Let’s go on and out with a few sparks and some Oscars.
Karin
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