Amy Adams deserves an Oscar

Sam Blanc, Opinion Editor

On Jan. 24, nominees were announced for the 89th annual Academy Awards. 2016 having been a pretty noteworthy year for film, there were plenty of actors, actresses, and directors to choose from. So many, in fact, that it was inevitable that some of our favorites would be snubbed.

One snub, however, hit me harder than the rest. The fact that Amy Adams was not nominated for her leading role in “Arrival” honestly made me angrier than it probably should have.

This is ridiculous. I demand a recount. Fake news! SAD.

All jokes aside, I think she was brilliant. Let’s start at the beginning. For those of you who don’t know, “Arrival” is the most recent to join the ranks of such films as “Interstellar,” “Gravity,” and “The Martian”: movies about space that not only examine the power of space travel or a post-apocalyptic future, but to address common humanity as more than futuristic adventure stories.

It’s a film focused on a single story even with an expanding, worldwide narrative. And that single story relies wholeheartedly on Amy Adams who plays her role as Dr. Louise Banks with courage and vulnerability.

Of course, with only five nomination spots, a great actress can still not make it. So let’s look at the women nominated: Ruth Negga in “Loving,” Isabelle Huppert in “Elle,” Emma Stone in  “La La Land,” Natalie Portman in “Jackie,” and Meryl Streep in “Florence Foster Jenkins.”

The first problem I have with this list is that I have not seen the first two movies. Embarrassingly enough, I did not know what the film “Elle” was about until I googled it about five minutes ago. I know, I’m a disgrace to the film-loving community.

This issue makes it pretty difficult to judge the two nominees on their performances, so I’ll just assume they were absolutely spectacular (as I’m sure they were).

Emma Stone was nominated for “La La Land” as well. Anyone who’s looked over to see what I’m listening to on my phone knows that I’m absolutely in love with this movie. In fact, a lot of people seem to be in love with this movie.

The film won seven Golden Globes–Emma Stone winning for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture–and it’s sure to win some Oscars as well considering its 12 nominations.

Of course, I’m from the generation of ‘everybody plays, everybody wins,’ and I’d like to see Amy Adams get some love too.

The next nominee is Natalie Portman for her role as Jackie Kennedy in “Jackie.”

This movie was one of many in 2016 that made my pre-awards binge so depressing. One of a string of movies about the harsh realities of life with no happy endings that leave viewers with tears in their eyes and a little less hope in their hearts. (I’m looking at you, “Manchester by the Sea”).

I’ve found that it’s difficult for me to judge actors separately from the films they’re in, but to the extent that I can, I’ll say that Natalie Portman did a very good job.

Last, but most certainly not least, Meryl Streep in “Florence Foster Jenkins.” America’s favorite “overrated” actress.

I’m not going to lie, I really liked this movie. I really liked Meryl Streep in this movie. However, it was kind of a fluff piece and I just don’t think the role itself gave enough leeway for a best actress nomination.

It was certainly fun and goofy and likeable, and Streep had her touching moments at the end, but the role just didn’t pack the same punch as Adams’ did.

So I’m a little PO’ed. Can you tell? However, despite this disappointment, I’m excited for the 2017 Academy Awards and I’m looking forward to yelling my opinions about this award at the television. But hey, that’s showbiz.