Sally Field is a force of one
I have nothing against Sally Field. I think she does a terrific job as Nora, and has taken that character from one who scared me a little to one I generally enjoy. Nora’s an integral part of the cast and the storylines, and the actress who brings her to life deserves every trophy she can get her hands on.
But it’s not The Nora Walker Show, you know? It’s not Mother of Brothers and Sisters. And so as happy as I am to see Field get award-show recognition, I’m kinda disappointed when she’s the Designated Nominee for the whole darn show. I guess one is better than none, which was the total on most of these tallies last year.
Looking at the newly announced SAG Award nominations, though, it’s hard to understand how actors could single out Field and neglect the rest of the ensemble. That’s what there is for TV shows in SAG-land: Best Actor and Actress awards, and Best Ensemble awards. How is it possible that this cast doesn’t get a nod for ensemble? (For that matter, how is it possible that Boston Legal does? That cheese-fest is nominated in the ensemble category, along with The Sopranos, The Closer, Mad Men, and Grey’s Anatomy.)
If it were Sally Field and a cast of unknowns, maybe I could see it. But Rob Lowe, Calista Flockhart, and Rachel Griffiths aren’t exactly below-the-radar actors. And as much as the individual storylines have created some compelling moments, hands-down the best parts of this show have been the ones where all those siblings are together battling and bickering and snarking and drinking and generally making a family of themselves. What is ensemble work if not that?
I’m partial, it’s true. And I guess not everybody believes that this ensemble is tops; I read an article yesterday about what the writer calls “The Great Brothers & Sisters Casting Botch,” being that none of the cast have chemistry together or are believable as family members. I have to wonder if this guy has really watched the show beyond the first couple of episodes, because I think the actors have done a fabulous job of acting family-like. I buy them completely as siblings. But then, some folks think Boston Legal is the height of acting, so there’s no accounting for taste.
Anyway, best of luck to Sally as she goes up against Glenn Close (Damages), Edie Falco (The Sopranos), Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) and Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) as the Brothers & Sisters standard bearer. One cast member at a time — by Season 10 or 11 we’ll be dominating all these awards, right?
Brothers and Sisters, ABC, awards, Sally Field
December 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I agree B&S should be in the ensemble category … this is just one of those odd awards show things that happens, I suppose.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
It just seems that, while voters have remembered that they like Sally, they really like her, the show itself has not risen to the level of respect or even notice. I see it left out of articles about TV dramas all the time, too. It’s still an afterthought, and that needs to change before it’s going to get much awards love. But at least Sally’s racking ‘em up.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:55 am
Wow, really? Someone dissed the ensemble? It’s a fabulous cast and does so well, and definitely deserves a nomination for best ensemble. It’s been a while since I’ve seen BL but that has always been very clearly James Spader/William Shatner and supporting cast, while B&S is certainly more of a group effort. Hmm.