Best Actress 2000: The Queen Cee

Julia Roberts won her Oscar 53 weeks after her film released

Julia Roberts had a commercial hold in Hollywood unlike any other female star of her time, then and since.  She skyrocketed with Pretty Woman and managed to remain close to the top for a few years before taking a hiatus.  After The Pelican Brief, which novelist John Grisham wrote with her in mind before it was even a screenplay, she struggled during her return to the silver screen, taking chances with more respected directors, while trying to stretch herself beyond her comfort zone.  Things were kind of looking grim until she returned to her strength (harmless romantic-comedy) and My Best Friend's Wedding cemented her comeback.  After a string of four more hits, she finally found the perfect marriage between "auteurship" and a box-office friendly vehicle in Erin Brockovich.  The film was a huge hit in the Spring of 2000 and Hollywood would slowly roll out the red carpet for her as she made her way up to the Oscar podium nearly a year later.

There was talk of how Laura Linney gave a performance that was of the caliber of Meryl Streep at her finest in You Can Count On Me.  There was also mention of how outstanding Ellen Burstyn was as an addict in Darren Aronofsky's Requim for a Dream.  But, the dye really had already been cast and Roberts was going to achieve what she set out to do and win the ultimate industry legitimacy.  Makes you wonder, though, what might have happened had Halle Berry from the next year, or upstart Hilary Swank from the previous year been up against Roberts.  While Joan Allen was competitive as a Vice Presidential contender, recent winner Juliette Binoche was probably the softest nod.  Had she not had Harvey Weinstein backing her up, Bjork (four years after Madonna and Courtney Love made a run at the category), Renee Zellweger, or perhaps even Michelle Yeoh would have scored a first nomination.

The Nominated:
-Julia Roberts, Erin Brockovich: SAG, GG Drama, LA, San Diego, Broadcast, NBR, London, BAFTA winner; Satellite, Chicago, Boston (3rd), Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth (2nd), Online, Empire nominee (84% RT)

-Laura Linney, You Can Count on Me: New York, National Society, San Diego, Vancouver, Toronto, Dallas-Fort Worth winner; SAG, GG Drama, Satellite, LA (2nd), Boston (2nd), Chicago, Phoenix, Southeastern (3rd), Chlotrudis, Online, ISA nominee (95% RT)

-Ellen Burstyn, Requiem for a Dream: Satellite, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Southeastern, Florida, Online, ISA, Stockholm winner; SAG, GG Drama, National Society (3rd), Vancouver (3rd), Dallas-Fort Worth, Chlotrudis nominee; New York (supporting 2nd), Toronto (2nd) nominee (78% RT)

-Joan Allen, The Contender: Palm Springs winner; SAG, GG Drama, Satellite, Chicago, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Online, ISA nominee (76% RT)

-Juliette Binoche, Chocolat: SAG, GG Comedy, BAFTA nominee (63% RT)

The Also Nominated (for supporting):
-Kate Hudson, Almost Famous; BAFTA (lead) nominee; GG, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Online, Satellite winner; SAG (supporting), Chicago, Southeasterm (2nd) nominee (88% RT)

Oscar Intruder

The Also-Rans:
-Björk, Dancer in the Dark: Cannes winner; GG Drama, Satellite, Chlotrudis, New York (3rd), Chicago, Southeastern (2nd), Online nominee (68% RT)

-Renée Zellweger, Nurse Betty: GG Comedy, Satellite winner; San Diego (3rd), Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, London nominee (84% RT)

-Michelle Yeoh, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Vancouver (2nd), Toronto (2nd), BAFTA, Chlotrudis nominee (97% RT)

-Gillian Anderson, The House of Mirth: Chlotrudis winner; Satellite, New York (2nd), National Society (2nd), Toronto (2nd), London nominee (81% RT)

The Rest of the Competition:
-Cate Blanchett, The Gift: Phoenix nominee (56% RT)

-Michelle Rodriguez, Girlfight: Las Vegas, Chlotrudis nominee (87% RT)

-Brenda Blethyn, Saving Grace: GG Comedy, Satellite nominee (63% RT)

-Tracey Ullman, Small Time Crooks: GG Comedy nominee (67% RT)

-Sandra Bullock, Miss Congeniality: GG Comedy, Satellite nominee (42% RT)

-Jenna Elfman, Keeping the Faith: Satellite nominee (69% RT)