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Kathy Bates, “About Schmidt”
Queen Latifah, “Chicago”
Julianne Moore, “The Hours”
Meryl Streep, “Adaptation”
Catherine Zeta-Jones, “Chicago” (winner)
WHIPP: Streep has already won three Oscars, so giving her a fourth … wait … I’m repeating myself. But, wow, her open-hearted, comic and altogether human portrayal of author Susan Orlean is right there with her career-best work. On the whole, I wouldn’t tinker with this perfectly fine list, and as Zeta-Jones powered the best picture winner, I can’t begrudge her the win.
CHANG: I pretty much agree with you, Glenn (hey, it happens). Streep gave one of her most inspired performances ever in “Adaptation” — a reminder that, for all her much-vaunted skills as a dramatic actor, she may be an even better comedian. Even so, who would want to rip away Zeta-Jones’ ferociously deserved win (and risk getting murdered, “Cell Block Tango”-style)? My only objection to this category is that it didn’t include Patricia Clarkson’s stiletto-sharp turn as Julianne Moore’s treacherous best friend in “Far From Heaven” — a wickedly funny, emotionally bruising performance that does the great Agnes Moorehead proud.
