Date: Fri 21-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: CAROLK

Illustration: C

Location: A12

Quick Words:

Playing-Oscars-Patient-Maguire

Full Text:

(Now Playing, with Oscar predictions, 3/21/97)

Now Playing-

Who Will & Who Should Win Monday Night At The Oscars

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Generally, 1996's Oscar nominees could hardly be accused of over-exposure.

Secrets & Lies ? Sling Blade ? Breaking the Waves ? Most folks would shrug

their shoulders at these titles. No matter, the list of nominees is mainly a

meritorious one, with few glaring inconsistencies or gaping omissions, though

some deserving names were left in the cold. This week's column will examine

the top categories for Monday night's Oscar telecast, and take aim at whom

will probably win, whom should win, and whom should have been nominated.

Best Supporting Actress

Nominees: Joan Allen ( The Crucible ), Lauren Bacall ( The Mirror Has Two

Faces ), Juliette Binoche ( The English Patient ), Barbara Hershey ( The

Portrait of a Lady ) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste ( Secrets & Lies ). Probable

win: Bacall - Oscar will make up for the fact that the woman who showed Bogie

how to whistle has not yet won the award. Should Win: Allen was superb in a

dynamic film that under-achieved. Should have been noticed: In Courage Under

Fire , Meg Ryan shed her lovable mannerisms to convincingly portray an

enigmatic Army captain.

Best Supporting Actor

Nominees: Cuba Gooding, Jr. ( Jerry Maguire ), William H. Macy ( Fargo ), and

James Woods ( Ghosts of Mississippi ). Probable win: Cuba Gooding, Jr. - The

Academy will show him the... no, I won't say it! Should win: Gooding, Jr.,

whose lively portrayal puts him a hair ahead of Macy's bumbling salesman.

Should have been noticed: Paul Scofield, in The Crucible , whose line readings

alone ("We shall touch the bottom of this swamp," he intones) could have

netted him a nod.

Best Director

Nominees: Joel Coen ( Fargo ), Milos Forman ( The People vs Larry Flynt ),

Scott Hicks ( Shine ), Mike Leigh ( Secrets & Lies ), and Anthony Minghella (

The English Patient ). Probable win: Minghella, who crafted a film of such

epic sweep it is often favorably compared with Lawrence of Arabia . Should

win: Minghella, for the same reason. Should have been noticed: Kenneth

Branagh, whose stirring Hamlet had a visual grandeur to match its grandiose

running time.

Best Actor

Nominees: Tom Cruise ( Jerry Maguire ), Ralph Fiennes ( The English Patient ),

Woody Harrelson ( The People vs Larry Flynt ), Geoffrey Rush ( Shine ), and

Billy Bob Thornton ( Sling Blade ). Probable win: Rush, for a flamboyant,

risky performance in a tricky role. Should win: Rush doesn't have to carry the

film, therefore my vote would go to Cruise. Should have been noticed: Denzel

Washington, for his nuanced work in Courage Under Fire , or, and don't laugh,

Eddie Murphy for his multi-character lark in The Nutty Professor .

Best Actress

Nominees: Brenda Blethyn ( Secrets & Lies ), Diane Keaton ( Marvin's Room ),

Frances McDormand ( Fargo ), Kristin Scott Thomas ( The English Patient ), and

Emily Watson ( Breaking the Waves ). Probable win: McDormand will break

through in a tough, competitive field. Should win: The race is fierce, but

McDormand deserves to walk home with the trophy. Should have been noticed:

Gwenyth Paltrow, who was glowing as the title character in Emma .

Best Picture

Nominees: The English Patient , Fargo , Jerry Maguire , Secrets & Lies and

Shine . Probable win: The English Patient, which has the scope that Oscar

loves. Should win: Though The English Patient is formidable, I have a soft

spot for Jerry Maguire and its moving characters. Should have been noticed:

The Crucible , which brought the stage play and its literate dialogue to

vibrant life.