Pop Culture Cuisinart

The best actress category in '06 offers a grand spectrum of delights. There are actual biographical figures (Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line), loosely biographical figures(Judi Dench in Mrs. Henderson Presents), a classical literary heroine(Keira Knightley in Pride & Prejudice), a woman trying to make her way in a man's world(Charlize Theron in North Country), and a woman playing a man trying to be a woman(Felicity Huffman in Transamerica).

It is truly a dizzying array of stories and fantastic actresses bring them to life richly. It seems a shame not to reward them all for there are truly some awe inspiring performances, and many bold choices that have been made this year. But we must have a winner, someone is taking home a golden bald man(no not Telly Savales), and dear reader I shall now venture to guess whom it shall be.

The consensus favorite seems to be Reese Witherspoon for her shining turn as June Carter Cash. Her June is the warm emotional center of an often dark and discomforting movie. She lifts her man when he is down, and in turn brings a jolt to the film whenever she appears on screen. She draws out the best in Johnny Cash and ultimately herself too. Her radience and her ability to pull him back from the brink are what carry this story, for without June there wouldn't have been a Johnny Cash.

The number 2 pick of most has been Felicity Huffman for her star making turn in Transamerica. Her Bree is a man about to become a woman who realizes she is a father. This is, of course, sort of a strange setup for your typical moviegoer, but Huffman's Bree is so accesible that any taboo one might feel is quickly lost. You realize that this isn't transgender as cause celebre, it's a scared, lonely, somewhat uptight woman coming to grips with the strange twist her life takes. It's a command performance not only for the nuance Huffman brings to a woman playing a man, but for the tactical way in which she pulls it off. Having been a fan since her Sports Night days I hope this is the film that launches her.

Charlize Theron once mined Oscar gold by turning from ravishing beauty to ferocious killer in Monster. She hopes another decidely unglamorous role could bring her a second statue. Her Josey Aimes is a coal miner's daughter who becomes a coal miner herself. She then faces all the predictable harassment that women typically face when thrust into a boys club, and decides to stand up for her rights. In the hands of a lesser actress this might have been a simple feel good character(think Dorothy Boyd in a hard hat). But she instills Josey with such emotional punch as to prove her turn in Monster was less about makeup and more about method.

For five time nominee Judi Dench these awards shows are old hat, she's even got a statue for her work in Shakespeare in Love(the most notable eight minutes in Academy history it seems). No one will take issue with the amount of screen time she gets in the title role of Mrs. Henderson Presents. She brings to this film what she brings to all her work, her amazing screen presence. You get the feeling that everyone on screen raises their game when the Dame is on set, and she brings out the best in her films. This role is well suited, as she flashes her charm, intelligence and bravado in a role perfectly matched to her skill set. But there is also vulnerability to her Mrs. Henderson, the doubts of a woman in war, doing as best she can to make things work. It is this contrast between melancholy and spunk that make this such magnificent work.

Elizabeth Bennet as film character is a been there done that kind of experience. Everyone from Greer Garson to Jennifer Ehle have tackled this role before so finding something new in so familiar a character is a unique challenge. Keira Knightley pulls it off brilliantly. I think perhaps the fact that she is closer in age to the character than her predecessors may help her in this regard. It is clear that Knightley connects with the material and she makes 2 century old dialogue seem fresh and inviting again. There is an effortlessness to the way she plays Bennet that is so natural it amazes. It is a performance worthy of this nod.

So which of these dyanamic ladies will take home the statue on Oscar night? I hate to front run but I have to go with Reese Witherspoon. Hers is a big turn in a fantastic film and she pulls it out with grace and aplomb. As hard as it is to go against Felicity Huffman's masterful work, I think when push comes to shove the voters will go with Reese.