Won for: Shakespeare in Love
Should’ve won for: Iris (2001)
Iris | Official Trailer (HD) - Kate Winslet, Judi Dench, Hugh Bonneville | MIRAMAX
Shakespeare in Love is a wonderful movie, and a rare, relatively recent instance of Academy valuing a smart, frothy comedy over something more overtly epic. Judi Dench makes an impression in her few minutes of screen time, as she always does, but in a career of subtle, nuanced performances, it hardly feels like her biggest challenge. There are several other roles that run deeper for the actress (including her portrayal of M in Skyfall), but her performance as author Iris Murdoch, struggling through the stages of Alzheimer’s, 2001's Iris is a real showcase for her talents. Dench plays both strength and vulnerability with equal power, and her energy and spirit ensure that the film never feels needlessly maudlin or by-the-numbers.
Where to stream Shakespeare in Love: The Roku Channel, Fubo
Where to stream Iris: Digital rental
