Academy Award actress nominees Annette Bening and Jodie Foster discuss making NYAD moderated by Janelle Reily at American Cinematheque at the Aero Theater on February, 7, 2024.

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Annette Bening (‘Nyad’) is coming for that long overdue Oscar - Nick Bisa

Annette Bening is an actor’s actor. Like many of the greats before her, she began her career in the theatre. Through the 80s, she quietly compiled a library of rich, complex characters before making her Tony-nominated broadway debut in 1987’s “Coastal Disturbances.”

Bening then made her well deserved transition over to Hollywood with John Hughes’ “The Great Outdoors.” The film didn’t perform as well as hoped, nor did Milos Forman’s “Valmont” which was released the following year, but they both paved the way for Bening’s eventual Oscar-nominated breakout as Myra Langtry in Stephen Frears’ “The Grifters.”

She got particularly close to Oscar gold with “American Beauty” in 2000. Annette bagged the BAFTA and SAG award for her iconic portrayal of the colourfully volatile wife-in-crisis, Carolyn Burnham. She lost to Hilary Swank (“Boys Don’t Cry”) though, who had edged her out at the Globes.

Swank clearly was Bening’s kryptonite, pipping her at the post again in 2005. Hilary won Oscar number two for Clint Eastwood’s late-entry sensation, “Million Dollar Baby” which won 4 major categories (Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, and Actress for Swank). Bening, who was nominated that year for “Being Julia,” would have to wait a little while longer for Oscar glory.

Fast forward to 2024, Bening is a four-time Oscar nominee (“American Beauty,” “The Kids Are All Right, “Being Julia,” “The Grifters”) and perpetual awards season staple (‘Bugsy,” “20th Century Women,”“Films Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool,” “The Report.”) So it’s a surprise to nobody that the American veteran is once again gaining attention this year for her performance in Netflix’s “Nyad.”

Here are 5 reasons why her hat will be in the ring one time more this year for “Nyad.”

She is portraying a real person
“Nyad” is the fictional debut of the Oscar-winning documentary filmmakers behind “Free Solo” and “The Rescue,” Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi. The film deals with true events and real people; the main one being Diana Nyad. Bening plays the long distance swimmer who is obsessed with conquering the sea between Cuba and Key West. Nyad’s fierce self-belief and dedication is relentless and can come at the expense of those around her.

Bening adds great complexity and dimensionality to her characterization; her being coined “unlikable” is a lazy and puerile conclusion. Academy members enjoy watching such complex people being brought to life on-screen. Recent nominated examples include Charlize Theron (Megyn Kelly, “Bombshell,”) Melissa McCarthy (Lee Israel, “Can You Ever Forgive Me,”) and Margot Robbie (Tonya Harding, “I Tonya.”)

Her character undergoes a transformation
Bening does nearly all the on-screen swimming and trained for just shy of a year with Olympian Rada Owen. The actress recalled crying in the pool due to the overwhelming demands of the role: “I wanted to do Diana justice, I wanted to do real swimmers justice.”

Bening also looked the part. The first time you see her, it’s a shock. Her transformation required wizardry from the “Nyad” hair and makeup team. They managed to perfectly emulate the skin and hair texture of a marathon swimmer like Diana. Physical transformations are also looked upon highly by the academy. Ana De Armas (“Blonde,”) Nicole Kidman (“Being The Ricardos,”) Jessica Chastain (“The Eyes of Tammy Faye,”) Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,”) and Natalie Portman (“Jackie”) come to mind.

She is overdue for a win
Bening has racked up four nominations, three in lead and one in supporting. Of our current top 10 contenders for Best Actress, Bending has the most career bids. And yet, she actually hasn’t been nominated in over a decade, since 2010 with “The Kids Are All Right.” It’s the perfect storm. She has both a fond history with the academy and is overdue for another nomination, and win!

Her co-star will also contend
Jodie Foster portrays Nyad’s long-time friend Bonnie Stoll. This two-time Best Actress champ (“Silence of the Lambs,” “The Accused.”) is predicted to reap a supporting bid. Bening may well ride her coattails to a nomination as did the likes of Laura Dern (“Wild,”) Steve Carell (“Foxcatcher,”) and Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes.”)

Her movie is a crowd pleaser
“Nyad” is a feel-good film. The ending of “Nyad” is a showstopper, one that makes you want to stand up and cheer! And at the centre of it all is Bening. This rousing finale hammers home the film’s core message: You’re never too old to follow your dreams.

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