We had one film release this past weekend with the potential for Oscar nominations.

The Children Act

There are few actresses whose every performance leads to Oscar speculation. Emma Thompson is one of those actresses and her performance in The Children Act has been building buzz since it was first though to be a 2017 contender.

The film tells the story of a British judge forced to decide a case where a hospital wants to force treatment on a young man whose religious beliefs dictate that he refuse treatment. It’s a subject based on numerous cases in the U.S. and the U.K. where individuals would rather die, or more specifically let their children die, to preserve their faith. It’s an emotionally charged subject matter and a film like The Children Act should afford plenty of opportunity for emotion.

That said, Thompson’s performance is the only element of the film that seems to be drawing much attention. Considering what’s seen in the trailer, there may not be a lot of heavy emotion involved in her performance and that restraint might hinder her Oscar chances. Oscar voters love big and bold acting; however, having said that, Thompson is one of those actresses who can transcend the tradition of the Oscars and pull of a nomination. On the third hand, there’s also major competition this year from a number of major actors and that could push Thompson’s mid-September release from many voters’ minds.