Over the last few days I’ve been reflecting on the best acting performances of 2019. It’s day three and with the supporting categories in the book it’s time to look at the Lead Actress group. It was a brutal job picking only five but you know the rules. So here we go.
#5 – Sierra McCormick (“The Vast of Night”)
It’s such a shame that more people haven’t been able to see “The Vast of Night”. One of many reasons is they miss out on seeing Sierra McCormick who gives a fun, effervescent, and eye-opening performance. She handles the film’s dense Sorkin-like dialogue with ease and fully develops a character you can’t help but love. I so hope more people can soon see this film.
#4 – Awkwafina (“The Farewell”)
I admit it, I was no fan of Awkwafina’s brand of comedy and she was one of my only gripes about “Crazy Rich Asians”. But I love it when a performer opens my eyes and makes me a true believer. That’s what Awkwafina did in “The Farewell”. This is a beautiful dramatic turn but with a very controlled sense of humor. Most of all it’s undeniably authentic from start to finish.
#3 – Renée Zellweger (“Judy”)
In this small slice of Judy Garland’s life Renée Zellweger loses herself in the entertainment icon’s troubled skin. From the physical details to the emotional range to singing her own numbers, Zellweger gives a fiercely committed performance that often rises above the material she is given. It’s fascinating work from an actress who has put herself back in the spotlight.
#2 – Alfre Woodard (“Clemency”)
This is the 2019 performance that I hope more people will be able to catch up with in 2020. Alfre Woodard carries this brutally honest movie about a prison warden in charge of state executions and the psychological toll it takes on her. Woodard’s performance reveals a strong woman who earned her position in a male dominated field. At the same time she’s tormented by the moral dilemma her job poses. It’s a quiet performance, emotionally authentic and without a hint of theatrics.
#1 – Lupita N’yongo (“Us”)
For some it may be easy to forget “Us” was a 2019 movie. It released way back in March. But how can you possibly forget Lupita N’yongo’s stunning two-pronged performance? It’s hard to say much about her work without spoiling key parts of the story, but N’yongo brings two distinct personalities to her role and shows two completely different sides of herself as an actress. Incredible range, intensity, and emotion. How she’s not getting award nominations is beyond me.
One more to go. Tomorrow we look at the Lead Actor category. What did you think of these picks. Let me know in the comments section below.
Keith & the Movies 
I agree about Awkwafina and Lupita. My favorites of 2019 were Isabela Moner (DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD), Ana De Armas (KNIVES OUT), Emma Thompson (LATE NIGHT), Charlize Theron (LONG SHOT) and Zoe Colletti (SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK). I haven’t seen CLEMENCY, THE VAST OF NIGHT nor JUDY yet. The latter is scheduled to come out here at the end of the month, but the other 2 don’t even have a distributor.
I still haven’t seen Dora or Scary Stories. I did love Ana De Armas. She was REALLY close to making this list. A star is born!
It’s great when someone’s talent shines right through and you see what allthe directors must have seen. I’m trying to think who I’ve had that with. I never thought Joe Pantoliano was a bad actor. Thought he was good. But he ended up in some great films. And then I saw him in The sopranos and I was blown away!
It’s funny how that works and I always love when it does.
It sucks that Lupita Nyong’o didn’t get nominated as I thought was more than deserving as her snub is just bullshit. I haven’t seen the rest of your nods as I do want to check them out. Especially Sierra McCormick as I remember as Creepy Connie from the show Jessie as she was just fucking hilarious.
For me,
1. Scar-Jo 3:16!-Marriage Story/Avengers: Endgame
2. Saiorse Ronan-Little Women
3. Lupita Nyong’o-Us
4. Ana de Armas-Knives Out
5. Brie Larson-Captain Marvel
Honorable Mention: Jessica Rothe-Happy Death Day 2U
I haven’t seen a lot of major actresses performances and that’s on me. I
I like every performance you mention. Ana de Armas was closest to making the list. Well, and Scarlett too. Both were just tremendous. Ronan is always good. I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t win several Oscars before her career is done.
Lupita at #1, as it should be!
I need to see The Vast of Night. Looking forward to catching Clemency this weekend.
Lupita at #1 as it should be! I still need to see The Vast of Night, and I’m looking forward to seeing Clemency this weekend.
You know, the more I think about Lupita’s performance the more impressed I am by it. I watched the Hollywood Reporters recent roundtable and she talked about her approach to the performance. Wow!
Nyong’o has been absolutely robbed this year. Hands down, the best female performance of the year.
Yep. No idea how you miss out on her here.
You know maybe it’s the movie itself but I wasn’t a huge Zellweger performance fan.. It was okay but I think it felt… too safe and too.. average really.
I ended up liking Zellweger’s performance A LOT more than the actual movie. I mean I liked the film, but it does have issues for sure.