Random Musing: Laura Linney

After some thought, I have come to the conclusion that Laura Linney is the new "dark horse" of the Oscars. Once a title reserved for someone like Kate Winslet, who has since gone on to become an A-list actress whose nominations are no longer a surprise, Linney is a constant surprise for someone like me, and even for an awards show like the Oscars. Now do not get me wrong... I think Linney is a talented actress, whose work in both big Hollywood flicks and indie films are noteworthy. In fact, Combustible Celluloid raved about the actress a few years ago, accurately saying "the beautiful, tough actress has emerged slowly and deliberately over the years." I am simply amazed at how she flies under the radar while slowly establishing herself as one of the best actresses of modern Hollywood. I have recently been fascinated that she has already acquired three nominations from the Academy:

2000 (73rd) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- You Can Count on Me {"Samantha 'Sammy' Prescott"}
2004 (77th) ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE -- Kinsey {"Clara McMillen"}
2007 (80th) ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE -- The Savages {"Wendy Savage"}

And just this year, she bypassed a list of ten somewhat "predestined" nominees made by the Hollywood Foreign Press for 2008's Golden Globes "ceremony":

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE- MUSICAL OR COMEDY
Marion Cotillard, La Vie En Rose
Amy Adams, Enchanted
Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray
Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Ellen Page, Juno
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE- DRAMA
Julie Christie, Away From Her
Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Jodie Foster, The Brave One
Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
Keira Knightley, Atonement

And she landed a spot on a list of five for Best Actress at the same year's Oscars---a list that some women would die to make:

2007 (80th) ACADEMY AWARDS - ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Cate Blanchett -- Elizabeth: The Golden Age {"Queen Elizabeth I"}
Julie Christie -- Away from Her {"Fiona"}
* Marion Cotillard -- La Vie en Rose {"Edith Piaf"}
Laura Linney -- The Savages {"Wendy Savage"}
Ellen Page -- Juno {"Juno MacGuff"}

Again, I am not saying her role in "The Savages" was not amazing (I still need to see it, actually), but I am amazed at how the Oscars would select her (seemingly randomly) despite her lack of nomination at the Globes. Because of this year's Best Actress nomination and her two other nominations since 2000, I am inclined to believe that soon, Miss Linney is going to be clutching an award on Oscar night as their new darling.