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AMY ADAMS: BUZZ OR FICTION?

Is the Oscar buzz for rising star Amy Adams real or not?

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By Lee Hernandez

Keira's role in "Atonement" is overshadowed by her costars; Angelina is over-exposed, Cate's Elizabeth is not-so-"golden," Halle's been upstaged by Benicio and Jodie's film might be too "Brave" for the pompous Academy of Arts and Sciences. And while Ebert's backing Ellen Page (Juno) and Marion Cotillard and Julie Christie have earned nothing but raves; the reality is that it's mid-October and not a single lead actress is assured a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards.

The obvious question is why? But the more important question is: (In a field this weak) can a surprise contender build enough buzz to make it into the final five? Since the surprise contender in question is former Oscar nominee Amy Adams, the answer is yes!

In case you don't know, Adams stars in the Disney Studios romance/fantasy/musical “Enchanted,” a November release with major box office potential co-starring Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), Susan Sarandon (Thelma and Louise), James Marsden (Hairspray) and narrated by Julie Andrews (The Sound of Music). Since “Enchanted” is a fantasy film, we can be sure the movie is far-fetched, but are Amy Adams’ chances realistic, or pure wishful thinking?

Pete Hammond, the newest addition to The Envelope, subscribes to the former hypothesis.

"Last weekend's first screening of Disney's Thanksgiving release "Enchanted," resulted in early critical huzzahs for the animated/live-action fantasy flick and immediate awards buzz for Amy Adams, a past nominee for "Junebug," who had not been on anyone's radar for this picture… Disney staffers seem (pleasantly) surprised that she is suddenly emerging on best actress lists. Or perhaps there are some pretty good poker players on Walt's Burbank lot playing the game of lowered expectations better than anyone else this season.”

Hollywood Elsewhere also seems to have jumped on Adams’ bandwagon. "Adams gives an incredibly complex, detailed performance that it makes the movie seem almost literary -- there is a scene when her character first feels anger that brings to mind John Milton. The movie will be gigantic and will make Adams a worldwide household name."

From Hammond to Wells, to Awards Daily; the combined pre-release buzz for “Enchanted” and Amy Adams in particular-has been stronger than anyone expected (especially for a relatively unknown actor in a Disney Pictures Release). Yet, this story seems vaguely familiar. In 2004, when critics called Johnny Depp’s performance in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” Oscar-worthy, the idea of a meeting between Disney and Oscar was highly unlikely. But in fact, Disney has a long history with Oscar and Walt Disney himself holds the record for the most individual Oscar wins in the history of the awards.

Ultimately though, a combination of things will decide if Adams is offered a repeat invitation to the Academy Awards as nominee this year. First, she will have to be visible at the precursors, earning multiple nominations and at least a few wins. Second, critics will have to let the voting body of the Academy Awards know that Adams is the stand-out in “Enchanted.” Third, she will have to prove that she can sell a movie as its star, which means the movie will have to draw big bucks at the box office. Finally, she will have to edge out her comedy/musical competitors, which include, the very Oscar hungry Laura Linney (The Savages), newcomer Ellen Page (Juno), and Keri Russell for “Waitress.”

It's a long season and there's always room for surprises, what do you think are Amy Adams' chances of a second Oscar nod for Enchanted? Discuss it here!

More buzz about Enchanted and Amy Adams? Visit our Blog!

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