In the midst of awards season, Carey Mulligan finds herself once again nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for her remarkable performance in Bradley Cooper's 'Maestro.' This marks her third nomination, following her previous nods for 'An Education' and 'Promising Young Woman.' And while some actors may downplay the significance of awards, Mulligan is refreshingly honest about their importance.
During an interview with The Times of London, Mulligan candidly admitted that awards do matter, contrary to what some may claim. She expressed her excitement, mentioning that being nominated for an Oscar is an incredibly cool and prestigious achievement. To her, it is particularly significant because it comes from her peers in the industry, making it even more meaningful.
Sharing a similar sentiment is Jeffrey Wright, who received his first Oscar nomination for his outstanding role in 'American Fiction.' He openly acknowledged that anyone in this profession who claims they've never considered winning an Oscar is simply not telling the truth. In fact, he admitted to thinking about it more than is probably healthy.
While Mulligan celebrates her own nomination, she also acknowledges the films and artists who were snubbed. One glaring omission is Greta Gerwig in the Best Director category. Despite the critical acclaim and box office success of 'Barbie,' which earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Gerwig was notably absent from the list. Mulligan expressed her disappointment for Gerwig, questioning what else a director must do to be recognized. She found it perplexing that a film that garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success failed to secure a nomination for its talented director.
Mulligan also discussed the absence of nominations for Emerald Fennell's 'Saltburn,' a film directed by her own 'Promising Young Woman' director and in which she had a key supporting role. She recalled attending the premiere with Fennell and experiencing the profound impact the film had on the audience. She emphasized the film's phenomenal reception, initially sparking confusion but later taking over the internet and becoming a massive phenomenon. Mulligan playfully remarked that the film's popularity has even led to the creation of merchandise such as candles gloriously named 'Jacob Elordi's Bathwater' available on Etsy and Amazon.
But amidst the joy and disappointments of this award season, Mulligan remains focused on her captivating lead role in 'Maestro.' The film received a total of seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Cooper's nomination for Best Actor. Mulligan's exceptional performance has not only earned her an Oscar nomination but also recognition from the Critics Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild awards, where she is also nominated for Best Actress.
As the excitement builds leading up to the Oscars, it's clear that the recognition and acknowledgment of one's work cannot be understated. For Carey Mulligan, it is an honor that never loses its significance. And while she celebrates her own success, she continues to champion and question the choices made in this year's nominations, shedding light on the importance of recognizing the hard work and talent of deserving filmmakers and artists.
