Anna Daniels
The Academy Awards are always an exciting event for those who love movies. However, every year, the choices made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences receive plenty of criticism from both the public and those in the industry. Here’s a look at the memorable performances that were ignored by the Academy this year.
Jennifer Lopez in ‘Hustlers’
Jennifer Lopez is, of course, a stunning performer. But over the years, she’s become better known for her dance moves, style, and personal relationships than her acting prowess. Fortunately, that all changed with 2019’s crime dramedy Hustlers.
In the film, Lopez portrays a stripper who, along with a few friends, decides to take injustice into her own hands and con the men of Wall Street shortly after the financial crisis of 2008. For playing Ramona, Lopez has received nods at several awards shows, but the Academy failed to even nominate her.
Adam Sandler in ‘Uncut Gems’
Funnyman Adam Sandler is known for acting and producing some of the most beloved comedies of the past 30 years. But when it comes to dramatic roles, some believed he just wasn’t cut out. And then he proved everyone wrong with the 2019 film Uncut Gems.
Sandler’s role as New York jeweler Howard Ratner showed off an entirely different side of him, and many believed he’d finally get recognition. However, despite all of the talk (and a few other nods here and there), he was not nominated. Sandler took to social media to express his disappointment in his usual joking fashion.
Lupita Nyong’o in ‘Us’
The genre of horror isn’t typically one that’s honored by the Academy. However, Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out, was an exception, and many believed his follow-up, Us, would follow suit. After star Lupita Nyong’o, an Oscar winner, was recognized at the Critic’s Choice Awards, it seemed only fitting that she’d also get this nomination.
Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Nyong’o was ignored for her dual role as Adelaide and her “tethered,” Red, in the film which explored classism, and privilege, specifically in the U.S.
Awkwafina in ‘The Farewell’
Awkwafina is another actor who has been largely thought of for her goofy comedic roles. But she, too, had a notable year when she subverted expectations, portraying the lead in The Farewell. The film sees her character, Billi, working with her family to keep her grandmother’s terminal diagnosis a secret.
The actress was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy and took home the prize over previous Oscar-winners Cate Blanchett and Emma Thompson. But the Academy didn’t keep things going, failing to consider the movie in any category, including the recently rebranded Best International Feature Film.
Jamie Foxx in ‘Just Mercy’
Even when a film does everything right — is strictly dramatic, is based on a true story, and stars multiple past Oscar winners — there’s still no guarantee it will be recognized by the Academy. Just Mercy, a film which did all of that, is proof of this.
We’re specifically talking about the performance of Jamie Foxx, who portrayed wrongfully accused prisoner Walter McMillian. Foxx was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, among others, but was entirely overlooked by the Academy.
Written by: Cheat
