Shohreh Aghdashloo for “House of Sand and Fog”
First nomination
– Role details: Nadi, the wife of a proud Iranian immigrant, sees her family’s life threatened by the escalating conflict over possession of a house.
– Critic quote: “It’s Shoreh Aghdashloo, a little-known Iranian actress, who gives the year’s most searingly unforgettable performance as Massoud’s doomed wife, Nadi.”–LOU LUMENICK, NEW YORK POST
– Hidden gem: Writer/director Vadim Perelman claims that Aghdashloo was his first and only choice for the role of Nadi.
– Not her best work: Aghdashloo has spent most of her 17 years in the United States doing theater work in her native Farsi language.
– In the works: None
– Extra nugget: She made her first and second film appearances in movies that were banned in her home country of Iran: “The Report,” which won the Critics Award at the Moscow Film Festival, and “Shatranjc Bad.”
Patricia Clarkson for “Pieces of April”
First nomination
– Role details: Joy Burns, a woman dying of breast cancer, drives to New York with her family to spend what may be her last Thanksgiving at her daughter’s apartment.
– Critic quote: “Even mom’s terminal cancer doesn’t turn the film maudlin, thanks to Clarkson, who is scrappy perfection in the role.”–PETER TRAVERS, ROLLING STONE
– Hidden gem: Clarkson appeared in several films at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, where she won the outstanding performance award for her work in “All the Real Girls,” “The Station Agent” and “Pieces of April.”
– Not her best work: To fulfill the requisite “family film” role, she played Carol Anne Parrish in 1995’s “Jumanji.”
– In the works: “The Woods” (2004), “The Dying Gaul” (2004)
– Extra nugget: Clarkson, who appears in “Miracle” as Herb Brooks’ wife, told USA Today that “hockey is sexy. Something about the players and what’s underneath all that gear.”
Marcia Gay Harden for “Mystic River”
Best supporting actress for “Pollock” (2000)
– Role details: Celeste Boyle, a distraught wife whose fear of her husband’s deep-seated emotional anguish leads her to suspect him of murder.
– Critic quote: “It’s Marcia Gay Harden’s work as Dave’s wife that really stays with you. Wary, skittish and consumed by the prospect of unending grief, Harden’s character shows the lasting impact of childhood tragedy.” –CARLA MEYER, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
– Hidden gem: She won a Tony Award for her role in “Angels in America” on Broadway.
– Not her best work: Her co-starring role in the 1996 James Bond spoof “Spy Hard” was a hard sell with moviegoers.
– In the works: “Miller” (2004), “P.S.” (2004)
– Extra nugget: Gay Harden hopes her pregnancy might mean good news on Oscar night. She told CBS: “Babies are always a good sign, I mean, life and growth and hope. These guys are twins, and I’ve heard that in other cultures, that is a sign of fame and fortune.”
Holly Hunter for “Thirteen”
Best actress for “The Piano” (1990); two additional nominations
– Role details: Melanie is a single mother whose desire to remain close to her troubled teenage daughter blinds her to the dangers of the girl’s actions.
– Critic quote: “Hunter is heartbreaking as a loving mother who blinds herself to the glaring clues around her.” –SEAN AXMAKER, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
– Hidden gem: She replaced Debra Winger for the role of Jane Craig in “Broadcast News” (1987), but turned down the female lead in “As Good As It Gets” (1997), a role that earned Helen Hunt the Oscar.
– Not her best work: She played the lead in the 1990 TV movie “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom.” No movie worth seeing should have a title that long.
– In the works: “The Incredibles” (2004), “Little Black Book” (2004)
– Extra nugget: An accomplished pianist, she actually performed all of the piano music for her Oscar performance in “The Piano.”
Renee Zellweger for “Cold Mountain”
Two previous nominations
– Role details: Spirited country girl Ruby Thewes teaches a sheltered Southern belle how to survive during the Civil War.
– Critic quote: “[Zellweger] is flamboyant and energetic –two characteristics that do not apply to either co-star [Nicole] Kidman or [Jude] Law. While it’s unfair to impugn the two leads, since both do adequate jobs, Zellweger constantly forces Kidman into the background by the forcefulness of her performance.”–JAMES BERARDINELLI, REELVIEWS
– Hidden gem: She worked as a cocktail waitress in a strip club while trying to catch her big break in acting.
– Not her best work: She had a small role in 1994’s “8 Seconds,” about a bull-riding world champion.
– In the works: “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason” (2004), “Shark Tale” (2004), “Cinderella Man” (2004), “Piece of My Heart” (2005)
– Extra nugget: She made $15 million for her portrayal of Ruby, up from the $10 million she earned for “Chicago” and the $3.75 million paycheck for the original “Bridget Jones” movie.
