Recall the Gold: The 1983 Best Actress Oscar race

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Ian Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 02:24 PM EST

First off, Julie Walters is so young! And gotta love the 80's music!
Again, I love the comedy and Streep is great but "GIVE HER THE SHOT!!!" You have to go with MacLaine!

josey Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 09:52 PM EST

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Rick Wed, Oct 22, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

Debra Winger

Jennifer Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 07:48 PM EST

If Debra had put name in supporting, she would have won.

timothym Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 09:38 PM EST

I truly loved all five performances,but still to this day Shirley MacLaine's Aurora Greenway is one of my most favorite characters.Her performance was equally humourous,heartbreaking and exasperating!!!

guzmen Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 08:06 PM EST

SoG
Jeff Daniels did have an affair but so did Winger with John Lithgow (in the movie)
Debra Winger should have won

CltAndrew Sat, Oct 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM EST

Terms of Endearment is one of my favorite movies of all time, and Shirley Maclaine did a fantastic job, but I think Debra Winger deserved the Oscar. The look she gives Aurora right before she dies always gets me. This alone should have earned her the Oscar. However, MacLaine's freak out scene in the hospital is usually what people remember. Meryl Streep was awesome in Silkwood, but she had just won for her superior turn in "Sophie's Choice" so she didn't really have a chance. Haven't seen Jane Alexander or Julia Waters so can't comment on them.

SoG Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 09:42 PM EST

Correct me if I'm wrong but the husband( Jeff Daniels) commits adultery - not Debra Winger's character. Just to comment on Gary Susman's opening.

Now that that's outta the way: The hospital scene - guts me every time. Shirley MacLaine absolutely gets my vote.

Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 08:51 PM EST

"Testament" dimly remembered??? Then I am old old old. Just the mention of the title brings back vivid and visceral images from this stark and classy film. Alexander solemnly sewing up her child's body into a canvas bag. William Devane's ominous answering machine message. And the eerie quiet of an ordinary suburban neighborhood, the silent dramas occurring behind each door.

bootsycolumbia Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 06:04 PM EST

I'm sure Shirley Maclaine will stand the test of time and win this vote, too, but I've always loved Julie Walters in Educating Rita. There was a scene where she was going to quit school and she talked herself back into it by remembering her mom at the pub. It was a powerful monologue, and she performed it perfectly. Just for that scene alone, I wanted her to win the Oscar.

Mike Smolinski Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 03:18 PM EST

When you consider that some of the missing names from the nomination slate that year included Barbra Streisand (Yentl) and Bonnie Bedelia (Heart LIke a Wheel), it is an even greater "Testament" (pun intended) to Jane Alexander's stellar performance that she made the slate.
I remember leaving the theatre after seeing "Testament" and sobbing uncontrollably in my car over the simple truth of the film and the message of warning it gave us to be careful with our future.
And none of that could have happened without Alexander's central performance as the dedicated mother who must cope -- in a world without answers -- with the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust and watch her children and her friends die slow, wretchingly painful deaths.
Yet, Alexander brought dignity, not histrionics to her role. She was a woman doing what she had to do.
Whether cleaning her baby's bottom of blood and puss or listening to her husband's voice over and over again on the answering machine, she was sensational.

Jim Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 01:39 PM EST

Jane Alexander over Meryl Streep in KvsK?

Lincoln Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 10:21 AM EST

In some ways, this is more interesting than if they had recalled some of the more questionable Oscars of the past (Sissy Spacek over Mary Tyler Moore... whatever!) I would like to see if Academy members are willing to flip deserving winners for preformers and movies that are far more popular now than when they were nominated. 1983 Best Supporting Actress from last week is a good example as Linda Hunt's popularity should pale in comparison to Cher, Woodard, and Close (Many people believe she should have earned an Oscar by now).

steve Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 09:48 AM EST

I would have to honestly say Shirley McClain deserved it and still does.

MsDaisy Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 09:28 AM EST

I thought Jane Alexander deserved the Oscar. She is a wonderful actress. She also should have won Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer.

Jakeem Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

When Shirley MacLaine won the Best Actress Oscar for "Terms of Endearment," she declared "I deserve this!"
She was 1000 percent correct. Nuff said!

Rider Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 07:44 AM EST

Jane Alexander was wonderful in Testament, playing Carol Wetherly, a housewife and mother trying to get her children through the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. Her performance is full of subtle but indelible moments, like when she finally removes the batteries from her answering machine and erases the last words she will ever hear from her dead husband. Heartbreaking stuff, but it lacks the manipulative attributes of Terms of Endearment and for that reason, I think it was a tougher effort. Her role here does make for an interesting contrast with Winger's flashier work in Terms: they are both women struggling with their identities as they try to help their families through their inevitable demise. Well worth seeing and definitely Oscar-worthy.

TPFly Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 07:33 AM EST

Again, reevaluating these things is like knocking someone's accomplishments. But, I still vote for Maclaine. Terms is one "chick flick" I can barely make it through. But, her time was due and her character was interesting. (I wouldn't list this as one of the greatest female film characters of all time, though). Winger - come on, its Shirley time, you shoulda dropped down to Supporting (like a good Oscar campaigner would've suggested). Meryl - she just won the previous year for "Sophie's Choice," so-wait 12 more nominations, okay? Julie - never saw "Educating," so can't comment. Jane - saw it once, didn't stick with me, since I watched it on PBS. (perhaps the big screen would've been more effective).
Recalling the Gold on "Terms," - I don't see what Jack Nicholson's big deal was. Sure, he's a breath of fresh air, but a "former astronaut?" I didn't buy him. HE should've WON Supporting for "Batman."

Anne Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 07:22 AM EST

No doubt Shirley deserved it. I also agree with the writer who says she deserved it for "Postcards from the Edge" as well. Loved her in this movie.

babypook Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 03:02 AM EST

I don't, "dimly remember" Testament. That film haunts me to this day. That scene with the kids re-enacting Pied Piper, and the faces of the adults in the audience, was heart-breaking.

Nix Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 02:15 AM EST

I certainly want to see "Testament" now.

pai Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 02:00 AM EST

This wasn't as much of a crime as some other Oscar races. Of course, Meryl's performance in Silkwood is one of her most dazzling -- and that's saying a lot.

Tommy Marx Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 01:44 AM EST

Oops. I meant mesmerizing, not memorizing, LOL.

Tommy Marx Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 01:42 AM EST

In an ideal world Meryl Streep and Cher would have won best actress and best supporting actress for Silkwood and Shirley Maclaine would have won best actress for Postcards from the Edge. But all things considered, I think this is one of those somewhat rare times when Oscar got it right. It's a little ridiculous to say Shirley should not have won because she's played similar roles in the 25 years since Terms. And to watch her as a strong-willed woman who is barely keeping it together is memorizing. Everyone remembers the angry desperation of her demands that the nurses give her daughter medicine, but I remember the birthday party at the beginning of the movie, where Shirley is so fiercely proud and determined. Then she walks outside, slips off her shoes, and her entire body sags under the weight of too many fears and too much pretense. Shirley Maclaine may have played versions of that character in subsequent years, but Terms was the frst and the most amazing.

Ken A. Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 12:18 AM EST

This was one year where I thought all the nominations were well deserved. Jane Alexander was superb in "Testament"...and I still recall the supporting performances of Kevin Costner and Rebecca DeMornay in it. Everyone in this film was just fine and it was a devastating experience, a real heartbreaker. I still enjoy seeing Walters in "Rita". That said, ole Shirley's performance was my choice as the bright spot in a movie that I otherwise thought was overwrought and really did not like, The interminable "Terms". I still can't believe enough people loved that film that they made a sequel...spare me!

Matt Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 09:11 PM EST

Pretty good year. Walters was charming, Alexander was in top form, and Streep was still able to do a character other than herself. MacLaine arguably deserved it, but I've always thought Winger's to be the stronger of the two Terms performances.

Martin Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 08:56 PM EST

Another year and category that I think went to the correct recipient. I haven't seen Jane Alexander in "Testament", but I have seen all the others. My parents used to watch "Educating Rita" every now and then, so by extension so did I, and Walters did a great job in it. So at LEAST 4 of the 5 performances were legit.

Like I said before, this exercise will be interesting to see how much popularity affects voters down the line, something that will be much more evident in other races (1983 Supporting Actress race may be affected by popularity). We will see...