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The Lack Of BAFTA Nomination For Tyrannosaur's Olivia Colman Is Scandalous
Whether you like the film or not there’s no denying that Olivia Colman’s performance is superb. So why no BAFTA nod?
Paddy Considine’s debut feature as writer/ director, Tyrannosaur, is an undeniably bleak tale of drink, wife-beating, violence and dog killing. Although it’s superbly made and hyper-realistic, I found it a bit over-bleak and in need of a crack of light to soften the darkness. Nevertheless, it’s been well-received the world over and has won numerous film awards.
It’s full of great performances and although the plot ostensibly follows the excellent Peter Mullan’s character Joseph as he kicks, spits and drinks his way through life on a desperate council estate, it’s Olivia Colman’s extraordinary turn as the spousal abuse victim Hannah that steals the show. It’s a perfectly-pitched performance of absolute conviction and completely sincere and believable. For an actress principally known for comedy it’s a revelatory turn and one which deserves recognition.
Yet the BAFTA nominations for 2012 are noticeably and bafflingly missing her name.
As I write, Olivia Colman is trending on Twitter for the simple reason that thousands of people are as amazed as me that she hasn’t been recognised by the British Academy of Film and Television for an incredible performance in a non-more British film. Other nominees are Berenice Bejo for The Artist (an Argentinean in a French film), American Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn, American Viola Davis in American film The Help, Martian Tilda Swinton in UK/US production We Need Ttalk About Kevin and – somewhat inevitably – American Meryl Streep for her turn as the daughter of Satan in The Iron Lady. Now, the nominations should reflect the quality of the performances and not be biased by the nationality of the nominees or the productions, but I reckon Colman should (and may well) receive an Oscar nod for her performance and wouldn’t it be ironic if the Yanks spot a great British performance that BAFTA passed over?
I’ve not seen all of the nominated performances (I’ve decided against seeing The Iron Lady at the pictures as the cost of replacing a cinema screen after I’ve been unable to stop myself slashing it would be prohibitive) but I would be truly amazed if any are better than Olivia Colman’s in Tyrannosaur and, judging by the response to the nominations on the social networks, I’m not the only one surprised by the omission. It looks like the good people at BAFTA have got this one very wrong.
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COMMENTS
Olivia Coleman won best actress at the BIFA's last year for her excellent performance in 'Tyrannosaur'. As much as I agree with you, the BAFTA's has and always will be Hollywood/mainstream centric.
I personally love every role olivia coleman is in she allways plays to her best ability and is comstantly blowing me away time and time again. You rock olivia and you and all your fans know the truth xxxx
I would hazard a guess that because Colman got praise for The Iron Lady as well (even though her performance in Tyrannosaur is obviously the stand out one) that was a certain amount of vote splitting that affected her... Not saying it's right or wrong but just pointing out one possible reason
Considine+Mullan+Marsan+Colman=Genius BAFTA=TOWIE Loving Cunts(admitedly TOWIE won award voted for by the public, but still, you get my point.)
BAFTA seem to be following the lead of the Oscars in their predictability. Anyone who watches films from Germany, Mexico, France or wherever will know that the truly great performances from any given year are rarely recognised. Come these big award show occasions it's nearly always the usual suspects on show. Brad Pitt being one example. I ask ya!
I agree wholeheartedly. And she's not up for an Oscar either. Bloody travesty.
I was lucky enough to meet Ms Colman while she was shooting tyrannosaur, she was kind and generous. It was apparent to the crew at that time that her performances were brilliant. I am amazed that she has been overlooked. If she ever gets her hands on a good role in a larger budget film she would destined for an oscar.
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