The Academy Awards for Best Actress in a leading role recognizes the top performances by female actors in Hollywood. From 2010 to 2019, there have been some outstanding performances that have won the coveted award. Here is a look at the winners from the last decade:
2010: Sandra Bullock for “The Blind Side”
Sandra Bullock won her first Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in “The Blind Side”. She played the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy, a wealthy woman who takes in a homeless teenager and helps him become a football star. Bullock’s performance was praised for its warmth and humor, as she brought to life Tuohy’s no-nonsense attitude and maternal instincts.
2011: Natalie Portman for “Black Swan”
Natalie Portman won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Nina Sayers in “Black Swan”. She delivered a stunning performance as a ballerina struggling with the pressures of perfectionism, paranoia, and hallucinations. Portman spent months training and transformed herself physically and mentally for the demanding role.
2012: Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady”
Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for her role as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady”. Streep’s portrayal of Thatcher captured the iron-willed leader’s public and private personas, and her transformation into the character was remarkable.
2013: Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook”
Jennifer Lawrence won her first Oscar for her role in “Silver Linings Playbook”. She played Tiffany, a young widow who falls for a man with bipolar disorder. Lawrence’s performance was praised for its honesty, humor, and emotional depth.
2014: Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine”
Cate Blanchett won the Best Actress award for her performance in “Blue Jasmine”. She played the role of Jasmine, a wealthy socialite who falls from grace and struggles to rebuild her life. Blanchett’s portrayal of Jasmine was raw and honest, capturing the character’s fragility and desperation.
2015: Julianne Moore for “Still Alice”
Julianne Moore won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of Alice, a linguistics professor who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Moore’s performance was praised for its sensitivity and authenticity, and it shed light on the struggles faced by those living with the disease.
2016: Brie Larson for “Room”
Brie Larson won the Best Actress award for her role in “Room”. She played Ma, a young woman who is kidnapped and held captive in a small room with her son. Larson’s performance was praised for its emotional depth and physical transformation, as she brought to life Ma’s resilience and love for her child.
2017: Emma Stone for “La La Land”
Emma Stone won the Best Actress award for her performance in “La La Land”. She played Mia, an aspiring actress who falls in love with a struggling jazz pianist. Stone’s portrayal of Mia was charming and vulnerable, and her singing and dancing skills were also praised.
2018: Frances McDormand for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Frances McDormand won her second Oscar for her performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”. She played the role of Mildred, a mother who seeks justice for her daughter’s murder. McDormand’s portrayal of Mildred was fierce and unrelenting, and her performance was praised for its raw intensity and authenticity.
2019: Olivia Colman for “The Favourite”
n the 2019 film “The Favourite,” Olivia Colman portrays Queen Anne during the 18th century. Her performance was praised for its complexity, as she managed to showcase both the queen’s frailty and strength. Colman’s portrayal of the monarch won her critical acclaim and earned her numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Actress. In her emotional acceptance speech, Colman expressed her disbelief at winning and paid tribute to her fellow nominees. She also thanked the film’s director, Yorgos Lanthimos, and co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Colman’s Oscar win marked a major milestone in her career, as she had previously been recognized primarily for her work in television. However, her unforgettable performance in “The Favourite” cemented her status as a talented and versatile actress.
The Academy Awards for Best Actress in the 2010s saw a range of exceptional performances that captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. From powerful portrayals of real-life figures to unforgettable characters in original stories, these actresses left a lasting impression with their talent and skill. As we continue to look forward to the future of cinema, we can’t help but reflect on the amazing performances of the past decade and the actresses who brought them to life.
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