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I’m always
looking for ways to freshen up my red carpet reviews, especially for new ways
to present them and new categories to analyze. This year, I’m looking at the
nominees in each female award category. (I did not list celebrities who were
not in attendance or whose photos were not readily available online, and
nominees in multiple categories only appear once.) I had planned on including
the men, but it is nearly impossible to find online red carpet photos of them!
Shame on you, media. Plus, I threw in a few additional folks at the end who seemed
deserving of mention.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a
Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba
Aduba’s
pleated emerald gown was a stunning color for her, and its alternating stripes
of plain and sequined fabric added visual interest and moved beautifully.
Paired with a side-swept updo hairstyle, emerald and diamond earrings and ring,
and an emerald clutch with red and gold accents, this was a terrific look. It
looked even better when accessorized with her winning statuette.
Elle Kemper
Kemper’s retro halter
dress sported a black bodice and an oversized blue and olive diamond and circle
pattern on the skirt, which was echoed in a black-on-black diamond on the
bodice. It was a “cute” look, but a bit simple for her. I’m not quite sure what
it was lacking, but it definitely needed something to liven it up – perhaps an
electric blue shrug or shoulder wrap? Or a heavy statement necklace in blue or
olive? She looks lovely, just not particularly memorable.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Louis-Dreyfus
often wears black or black with another color on the red carpet, and this
black-and-white frock was no exception. With just a hint of vintage in the
50s-esque silhouette and a charming black-and-diamond bow necklace,
Louis-Dreyfus captivated without overdoing it. The dress was lovely at a
distance, but closeup, what seemed to be black polka dots or random blobs
appeared to in fact be leaves cascading graceful towards the hem, and the
bottom 4 or 5 inches of the skirt were embroidered with a delicate
white-on-white lacy floral pattern. The strappy black heels and simple black
clutch were the perfect accessories.
Amy Poehler
I’m not always
a fan of stiff, structured bodices, but Poehler’s dress moved with her rather
well. It didn’t have that stiff or uncomfortable look that boning can create.
The broad, curved neckline was very flattering on her slim but straight figure,
and her long, straight, newly pale auburn locks (fabulous color for her!) added
to the elegant long lines of the gown. Continuing the trend of color-on-color
embroidery, her gown had just a touch of black floral embroidery from the
bodice down to the hips, giving just enough texture to avoid flatness. A very nice
detail.
Fashion Winner: As much as I love Aduba’s look, I have
to go with Julia Louis-Dreyfus for her classic, unfussy elegance, and just a
bit of fun.
Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting
Role
Rooney Mara
Mara’s
rail-thin figure is one of the few that can pull off such a stark, deep V-neck.
With the simplicity of the dress, the severe hairstyle, and the unrelieved
black, the look was a bit harsh. It needed a touch of softness somewhere –
perhaps a short train, a single curl slipping from the ponytail, a pair of ruby
or sapphire chandelier earrings, even a lavender or metallic clutch. Even a
warm smile would have improved the look.
Rachel McAdams
Another gown
with just a hint of vintage 50s, McAdams’ gown used black applique over a light
brown base, with sheer shoulders and peekaboo sheer from the knees of the gown
down. It was revealing without being revealing, very sexy yet very buttoned up.
Her tousled beach-blond waves and youthful, pink-toned makeup were just the
right touch to add some sweetness. Nicely done.
Helen Mirren
How is it that
Helen Mirren continues to grow more and more beautiful over the years? The
sparkling silver sheath fit her like a glove, showing off her voluptuous curves
in a flattering but very age-appropriate way. The slight flare at the hem
created a soft, graceful train, and the vertical lines of the beading
emphasized that flare. The large diamond earrings peeking out from under her
soft, platinum waves, and the matching diamond cuff, were exactly the right
accessories. Simply stunning.
Alicia Vikander
I didn’t love Vikander’s
gown when I first saw it, but it grew on me. I love the silhouette, I love the sequins,
I like the various sizes of color blocks, but I think I just don’t like the
colors, and I don’t like how the large gold and white panels at the neck
bisected by the black stripe look like a bib. But it moved beautifully, and it
seemed to suit its wearer well.
Kate Winslett
Winslett relies
on a trumpet or mermaid silhouette, usually with cap sleeves and a plunging
neckline, usually in a solid color, and this dress is no exception. However,
the reason she relies on it is that it suits her beautifully, and that is
certainly the case here. I like the peeps of satin at the edge of the neckline
and sleeves, and I love the coordinating emerald jewelry and the little black
clutch, along with the simple, sleek hair. Why mess with perfection?
Fashion Winner: Mirren, hands down. This look is pure
elegance, and you can’t take your eyes off her.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a
Television Movie or Miniseries
Nicole Kidman
I liked Kidman’s
dress better up close than I did far away – the stripes seemed to soften and blend
into each other a bit up close, but from farther away, they’re just awfully…stripy,
for lack of a better word. The colors weren’t quite right for her, either,
although the soft ruffles along the broad v-neck and along the hems of the
skirt layers worked well on her tall frame, where they might have looked
girlish on a more petite figure. She paired the gown with a beautiful long green
necklace, which unfortunately clashed horribly with the gown. Hopefully that
necklace will make another appearance, but next time with a gown that works
better for both her and the necklace.
Queen Latifah
When I first
saw Latifah’s dress, I thought it was fine – interesting pattern of spangles, black-on-black
detailing (such a common theme of the evening), nice silhouette – but when I
got a better look later in the evening, I saw that it swung gracefully and came
to life with subtle sparkle as it moved. Accented by large drop earrings and an
elaborately parted and coiled updo in light auburn, this look bumped up to a “well
done” on my list.
Christina Ricci
Ricci’s pale
lavender dress featured a fitted sleeveless lace bodice with pale turquoise and
champagne-colored panels that cascaded into a full, pleated skirt. Paired with
a chunky champagne clutch, a mix of silver, diamond, and amethyst bangles, and antique-looking
drop earrings, with her long, straight, blond locks tucked behind one ear and
smoky eye makeup with just a hint of a cat’s eye, her look was simple but
sultry.
Susan Sarandon
There were
parts of Sarandon’s outfit that I liked very much – the open line of the jacket
lapels, and the wide legs of the trousers, even the pale gold clutch and
matching slingbacks. But the bra. Oh, Susan, the bra. I didn’t even mind the
peep of skin below it; the problem was that it was riding much, much too low.
When your breasts aren’t as perky as they used to be, showing a non-demi-cup bra
that is riding low enough to show that much cleavage is not a good idea. Raise
that bra another two inches and it would have been a terrific look. But as it
was, we were all staring at her cleavage, and not for the right reason.
Kristen Wiig
Wiig’s cropped
black pants and cute sandals worked well for her. But her single-strap white
top encrusted with…I’m not sure what those were. Tinfoil flowers? Crumpled
paper snowflakes? Granny afghan squares? It just didn’t work for me. The detailing
was too heavy on the one side and looked lopsided. Perhaps if it had gone all
the way to the seam of the shoulder strap it would have worked for me, but as
it was, it had an unfinished look. Wiig’s overall look just felt too casual for
my taste.
Fashion Winner: Ricci’s flowing lavender gown is a total
win in any category.
Lifetime Achievement
Carol Burnett
Burnett gets a
mention of her own merely because she is Carol Burnett, and she is awesome. As Amy
Poehler and Tina Fey stated when they presented her with the Lifetime
Achievement Award: “Carol is better than all of us. We’re gonna give her a
prize for it.”
Burnett was
wearing a gorgeous kelly green jacket and long, straight, slit skirt over a
beautiful feather-patterned spangly black cami – and a pair of baby blue Ugg
slippers. Lovely, talented, and smart.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a
Drama Series
Clare Danes
Danes’ slender,
willowy figure was perfectly suited to her clingy gown, with its plunging
neckline, long narrow train, and blue and diamond jewelry. The lines of the
darker blue panels of the bodice created a lovely, graceful silhouette. Its simplicity
made it memorable.
Viola Davis
Davis’ striking
dusky purple mermaid gown had a beautifully structured geometric tulip bodice
that managed to look soft instead of stiff, but held its shape well and moved
with her movements. The cinched-in waist, flared hem, and curved neckline with
its double-layered narrow vee all combined to create a flattering silhouette.
Add on softly waved hair, a heavy silver cuff bracelet, and a brilliant smile,
and this look was as much of a winner as its wearer.
Julianna Marguiles
Marguiles also
tends to fall back on a familiar red carpet style: a flat, bib, nearly
halter-style bodice, a straight, narrow skirt, and some kind of simple
detailing at the waist or neckline to add interest. It suits her slender figure
and her perfect posture. This particular version is pure white, a lovely
contrast to her jet black hair, with silver accents cinching in the waist.
Simple, but elegant, requiring no accessories.
Fashion Winner: The could have gone to any of the
contenders, but my eye keeps being drawn back to Davis, so I’m giving her the
crown.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a
Leading Role
Brie Larson
I loved the
skirt of Larson’s gown – the double strap, the deep slit, especially the
gathering over the left hip. But the asymmetrical slit in the bodice revealed
an odd and unflattering view of cleavage, and made the entire bodice appear lopsided.
Also, the strap in the back was a wide red canvas that looked like it came off
of a backpack – what? The color of the gown was stunning, the silhouette was
great for her curvy figure, and the details of fabulous shoes and a sleek,
unfussy hairstyle were well-chosen. But the overall look fell just a hair
short.
Saoirse Ronan
The silhouette
of this gown was so simple and unadorned that it could have been boring. But
the texture of the fabric and Ronan’s animation while wearing it made it work.
The color, however, was much too pale for her, and a greater contrast with her
natural skin tone would have been much more flattering.
Sarah Silverman
Silverman’s
gown was an interesting style, but looked as if it had been very badly fitted.
The bodice seemed loose and the fabric over one hip was baggy, yet she could
hardly walk due to the tightness of the skirt. The concept was great; the
execution fell very short.
Fashion Winner: I can’t bear to award this category to
any of these gowns. I’m giving it to Helen Mirren again, since technically she
was also a nominee in this category.
Special Mentions
I’d like to end
by recognizing two actresses who sometimes struggle with finding the right gown
for an exceptionally voluptuous body, both of whom did exceptionally well in
finding exactly the right gown for this event.
Christina Hendricks
Hendricks often
lands on the “miss” side of my “hit or miss” breakdown – and I can’t blame her,
because how hard must it be to dress this figure? In an effort to avoid looking trashy, she often ends up with a matronly look. But she is squarely on the “hit”
side tonight. This fabulous strapless gold-on-gold brocade sheath is accented
with a shoulder drape and a long train, and Hendricks accessorizes it with a
fabulous crescent-shaped mirrored purse, long drop earrings, and a couple of
diamond cuff bracelets. With her hair swept up into a wispy updo, smoky eyes,
and soft pink lips, she walks that fine line between sweet and sultry. Kudos on
a terrific look.
Sofia Vergara
Vergara may not
be quite as buxom as Hendricks, but she also occasionally struggles with
finding a gown that doesn’t look trashy or overly revealing. This stunning
electric pink column is a miracle of technology, with the bodice heavily
structured yet still hugging and moving with her body. I love the way the gown
puddles just a tiny bit at the hem, and I love the stitching details at the top
of the bodice. The chunky gold-and-silver statement necklace is just right as
an accent, and the long, narrow proportion of her clutch is a nice geometric contrast
to the curves of the bodice, even though it’s exactly the same color as the
gown. Elegant, not trashy. Nicely done.
Jacob Tremblay
This young Best
Supporting Actor nominee was so poised, both on the red carpet and in the
audience, and so well-dressed to boot, that I feel the need to recognize him
with his own award. In this fantastic pinstriped 3-piece tuxedo with crisp
white shirt and perfectly hand-tied bow-tie and his hair perfectly coiffed,
Tremblay held his sartorial own with all the gentlemen present.
