Kirsten Dunst and the Elusive Oscar | Why She's Never Won

Kirsten Dunst delivered terrific dramatic performances in Interview with the Vampire, Melancholia, and The Power of the Dog, but she's never been victorious at the Academy Awards. In this video, I break down Dunst's remarkable career and discuss the reasons why she's never won an Oscar. #kirstendunst #oscars #academyawards #brianrowevideo #elusiveoscar
Written and Produced by Brian Rowe
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MUSIC
Parting of the Ways - Part 1 by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
PODCAST
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bit.ly/3dEqeV9

[@IDontWantThisStupidHandle]

She's said herself her career has been frustrating in terms of recognition. In an interview, she noted that she'll often play incredible parts in unique films that audiences and critics dismiss at the time, but which become sleeper hits/cult classics/deemed "way ahead of their time" years (or even decades) after the fact. I've been a fan since I first saw her in the 90s, and there's not a single performance that was less-than-deserving of recognition.

[@TheAwardsContender]

She’s fantastic! Her Oscar will come someday.

[@veenovo4777]

i love her choices. even that hens night chick flick type drama.

[@thomashavard-morgan8181]

I think part of it, is she never played the Hollywood game, even at her commercial height in the early 2000's, she eschewed the limelight and outside of Spiderman, her adult roles were often strange artistic choices, that were often undervalued at the time, but have retrospectively been acclaimed, see Marie Antoinette. I think with Fargo, then On Becoming a God, her talent was recognised and enough time had passed for her career to be re-evaluated and people to go, oh she's never won an oscar, let alone been nominated. Then comes TPOTD and all it's acclaim, plus her ex excellent performance, it was a perfect storm to finally see her nominated.

[@TheAwardsContender]

YES, excellent points throughout. Thanks for watching!

[@lizfinkelstein1323]

Yes, and I also think that her career resurgence demonstrates how important streaming platforms became for the actresses like her who would never get the best scripts first- I'm sure she would have loved first right of refusal for the parts that eventually went to Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams and Reese Witherspoon. By being denied entry into those top tier roles, she couldn't as easily show the depth of her talent. I found her absolutely haunting in Virgin Suicides.

[@thomashavard-morgan8181]

@@lizfinkelstein1323 I would agree, especially in regards to TV. Women of a certain age, once denied longevity. have found a place on TV, see Nicole Kidman and thus kept their name and image in the consciousness. Add to the fact shows like Fargo were critically acclaimed too, it has allowed for a retrospective and reckoning, such as ''why isn't she at the Oscars anymore''. The landscape having shifted has allowed for a greater representation and more positively a resurgence for those on the ''scrapheap'' and thus allowed them back in contention for ''Oscar'' roles. I doubt without Fargo and Of Being A God In Central America, would we be having this conversation about Kirsten.

[@lippemartinsm]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact she didn't received an Oscar nomination for Interview with the vampire. The scene where she confronted Lestat and Louis is one of the most incredible things I have seen in cinema. And to think she was only eleven years old and to demonstrate such maturity in a role. That is the definition of unfair.

[@TheAwardsContender]

So true. Thanks for watching!

[@ozoz3444]

She should have been nominated for Melancholia. I never thought I’d see her in a movie like that.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!!

[@giovannyespinoza6013]

In my opinion Interview with the vampire should've been her first Oscar nomination as best supporting actress

[@TheAwardsContender]

That would’ve been a great first nom! Thanks for watching!!

[@kellie8468]

I recently rewatched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and her role contains one of the biggest surprises of all . I had forgotten the impact it makes. She probably should have been nominated for supporting actress.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed, that would’ve been awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@viarach1177]

Absolutely better her than Virginia Madsen that year, the nomination should have been hers.

[@kellie8468]

@@viarach1177 yes she has some key scenes especially for it being such a Winslet Carry showcase.

[@kellie8468]

@@TheAwardsContender I really need to watch some of the movies you highlighted. Some I haven’t watched yet others it’s been a while. Nice to have something you’ve never watched.

[@prettycrabby]

Yes she's so pivotal to the whole move. And her stoned scene is hilarious .

[@JacobW567]

Kirsten Dunst is one of the very few American actresses who are brilliant in both Box Office movies and Indie movies....She is spectacular!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, I adore her too!

[@lonellfletcher]

I truly believe that the effortlessness of Dunst’s talent has been taken for granted by awards voters. Honestly, I have; I just expect her to be so good, so solid, that even her best work tends to not always stand out in the way it would with less consistent actors. That, along with clear releases issues, led to her belated Oscar nomination for Power of the Dog.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, such a good point. Thanks for watching!

[@ct6852]

Yeah I agree. She's been solid for so long you barely notice her. She always serves the story.

[@jeremyud]

The footage with Lars Von Trier saying he emphasizes with Nazis was incredible. The side eye that Kirsten Dunst gives? She was beyond pissed, and I don't blame her. He killed any chance she had at getting an Oscar nomination for Melancholia. Also, Germans are kinda sensitive about that subject.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, that’s a good point!

[@doxasophosmoros]

He said he sympathises not emphasises. And kirstens parents are German so of course it was embarrassing

[@darielzahidpalacios1605]

Kirsten Dunst lost her nomination for Melancholia as soon as Lars Von Trier said he understood Hitler

[@ct6852]

I think she will definitely win some day. And she should. But she's still young.

[@shadowboxer2747]

Agree. She’s still young

[@LexisReadz]

I soo hope she gets her moment. She’s INCREDIBLY talented

[@hadbetterdays]

I loved this video! As for Dunst, my favourite performance of hers is Melancholia because, say what you will about Lars Von Trier, but he has written phenomenal roles for women. I think she'll continue doing films that she has managed to do in the last decade: maybe smaller and more auteurish films, but creatively interesting and fulfilling. Now that the first Oscar nomination curse is done (waiting for Emily Blunt to be the next one), she might collect others sooner than we may expect her to: the Academy has finally recognized her talent, she now needs the right projects. Wouldn't it be cool if she eventually wins for a performance directed by Sofia Coppola?

[@TheAwardsContender]

Imagine a Best Actress win in a film directed by Sofia, that would be awesome!! Thanks for watching!

[@outinsider]

I grew up watching her, and you touched on her moments in film that remain memorable. I think she will get better scripts and take greater artistic risks. Whenever her Oscar happens, it will be a met moment, and a culmination of great and consistent film work.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Her Oscar win is coming. I think it’s going to happen eventually!

[@BFA100]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind got two Oscar nominations one for Kate Winslet for Best Actress and the other one was Best Original Screenplay which resulted in a win.

[@chrishowson3243]

Thank you for making this and thank you for mentioning how amazing “Drop Dead Gorgeous” is… I was happy for Ariana but devastated that Dunst didn’t win, she is criminally underrated and based on her history with the academy I’m worried that was her one shot 😭

[@TheAwardsContender]

I’m confident her Oscar win will come. Fingers crossed!

[@cruzvaldes5922]

I don't care what anyone says, she should have won an Oscar for bring it on! That was the most enjoyable thing that year

[@TheAwardsContender]

Haha, love that movie!

[@tomgabbutt3066]

Watching this video made me realize that I've just assumed she'd had several Oscar noms prior to TPOTD, so your video is very timely as a way of reminding us how undervalued (well by the Academy at least) she's been. I was absolutely blown away by her performance in TPOTD and also in the TV series 'On becoming a god...' PS love how you skip around your subjects from old classic Hollywood to actors working today. Keep up the awesome work :)

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you so much, Tom!! Means a lot!

[@arontamas5639]

Mario Antoinette/Melancholia/Interview with the vampire/Crazy/Beautiful/Little women..... she gave all of these amazing performances and just remained unnoticed by the Academy until Power of the dog ( which she should have won for btw).

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thanks for watching this one!

[@tiffanywitherspoon8722]

I don’t think she will ever win an Oscar Award or even get nominated again. In many ways I don’t think the critics understand her, and I don’t think she completely appeals to the Hollywood Machine anymore.

[@TheAwardsContender]

She has a few more noms in her, just you wait! Thanks for watching!

[@lzrnsong49]

I agree

[@veenovo4777]

i grew up watching her with those kid films then i was obsessed as a teen with bring it on and drop dead gorgeous. i find her completely underrated and her interesting choices of films. that hens night type film was also so good

[@dameinbell3097]

have always loved Kirsten .. so talented and always a joy to watch .. didn’t realise Jesse was her partner .. you can tell that he is in love with her just like the rest of us

[@TheAwardsContender]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@bev9708]

Yet another great video, thanks again Brian! Sorry but I just don't get Jesse Plemons' nomination for The Power of the Dog, as wonderful as his performance is, and even less JK Simmons' for Being the Ricardos, when clearly nominations should have gone to Jason Isaacs for Mass and Vincent Lindon for Titane.

[@TheAwardsContender]

YES, would’ve loved for Isaacs to get in. Thanks for watching!

[@Ossiestyler]

One of my fave actress of all time

[@TheAwardsContender]

Mine, too! Thanks for watching!!

[@gidgitvonlarue9972]

LOVING your videos Brian SO SO much! Brilliant passion, research and editing! xx

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, thank you so much!!

[@Tarikkb]

It still shocks me she didn’t get an Oscar nomination for interview with a vampire especially looking at other child nominees over the years , they weren’t bad but dunst performance seriously one of the best performances by a kid I saw

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agree 100%!!

[@marymiranda2687]

This is a great video! I think you should do one for Claire Danes too! She's a TV darling, winning Emmy's, Golden Globes and SAGs but her film career never did get her a nomination even though she's a phenomenal actress! She has great films like Romeo and Juliet, Little Women, Stardust and The Hours. Some other notable ones are Igby Goes Down, Shopgirl and Stage Beauty.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Love her! Great idea!

[@onetouchofvenus2335]

She 100% should have gotten an Oscar for Power of the Dog. Her performance was just so heartbreaking... she was the soul of that film. I was very disappointed when Ariana DeBose won.

[@daarum7585]

OMGGGGG I love this so much! thank you for always giving us great content!!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank YOU for watching, you’re the best!!

[@irina1296]

I hope Kirsten will win the Oscar in the future. She's a fantastic actress. I love almost all of her movies but I will be a bit biased here. Sci-Fi is my personal favorite movie genre, so Upside Down (2012) & Midnight Special (2016) are my most favorite Kirsten films. How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) is my favorite comedy movie with her.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, she’s fantastic!

[@heatherparisi8250]

my favorite performance of hers was when she played amy march in little women(1994)

[@TheAwardsContender]

Such a good one. Thanks for watching!

[@joeroflo4241]

Nothing but love to this video, thank U Brian you did a great job.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you so much!! You’re too kind!

[@paullemon5154]

Enjoy your videos Brian! I know evaluating film performances is subjective, but I would love for you to put out a video of the top 10 Oscar winning performances that you feel were not well deserved (or someone else nominated in the category (or even not nominated that year) was more deserving in your opinion).

[@TheAwardsContender]

That's a great idea! Thanks for watching!

[@orphicuranus]

Wow! Thank you for this. I requested you this last time + can't believe you did that 🥰

[@TheAwardsContender]

Haha, I’m happy to give my viewers what they want! Thanks for watching!!

[@orphicuranus]

@@TheAwardsContender please do Jennifer Connelly and Kate Winslet win next 🥰

[@alpe1987]

I think if she teams up again with Sofia Coppola for a third time she might get nominated and win.

[@TheAwardsContender]

That would be amazing!! Thanks for watching!

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

I’m still upset both Kristen and Queen Latifah lost that 2016 golden globe to lady Gaga for American horror story especially when that season of AHS was one of the least good seasons of the show

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thanks for watching!

[@alisdairmckenzie]

I remember first seeing her in Interview and sitting up & taking notice of her and a very grown up performance - thought she was awesome. I've liked her ever since. I didn't see the remake of West Side Story but did see Power of the Dog and I think she deserved awards for that incredible performance.

[@marcor7044]

Honestly, Marie Antoinette was great and should have gotten her a nomination. But I think before West Side Story came out the frontrunner was Caitriona Balfe in Belfast. Dunst only surged as a number 2 when Balfe missed out on the Oscar nom. Its the same as your vid between Catherine Zeta Jones and Meryl Streep in 2003, De Bose was just to strong for Dunst. Good vid, man

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you so much!!

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

@Marco r Norma Shearer portrayed Marie Antoinette in 1938 and deservedly was nominated for Best Actress. Whether you're a fan of Shearer or not the fact is she deserved that nomination. Dunst was a pale shadow as Marie next to Norma.

[@paulvoorhies8821]

Well, she’s only been nominated once--Christ. Ask Amy Adams or Glenn Close about elusiveness.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Stay tuned!

[@SoulKnightKing]

Also, love these kinds of videos Brian

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you so much!!

[@sharonalbanese8084]

I think she's one of those actresses that immerses herself in her roles, so paradoxically gets overlooked, because she's not so much of a "movie star". I think those great TV roles really helped her a lot. We will wait and see. there's something special about her, one of those actors you look at whenever she's on the screen.

[@addiatmeikokusuma8058]

Kirsten should have at least 4 nom by now...Impressive resume!!! Interview with a vampire,Marie Antoinette and Melancholia totally deserved nominations...I prefer Kirsten in The Power of the Dog rather than Ariana...Ariana was superb but Kirsten performance was dauntingly good...She will win an Oscar one day..She is that good

[@TheAwardsContender]

Her Oscar is coming, I know it. Thanks for watching!

[@rhythmoriented]

Imho her range in the other films superseded the performance in TPOD. Her acting chops as a child actress in Interview with a Vampire were already there!

[@Garsons-oq4lh]

@addiat meikokusuma Not for Marie. Norma Shearer received a Best Actress for her 1938 Marie and deserved it for a tremendous performance way more than Dunst.

[@raypickles9071]

One of my all time faves

[@hadbetterdays]

If she only had won the Golden Globe for Fargo

[@TheAwardsContender]

Dunst should have SO many more wins. Thanks for watching!

[@marcjenson9902]

great video! she’s the best!!

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yay, thanks so much for watching!

[@manavjogia]

I love this kind of content keep it up Would love to see about leonardo dicaprio or al pacino not winning

[@TheAwardsContender]

Great ideas! Thanks for watching!

[@user-xq2lk6on9y]

She would’ve won the Emmy for Fargo if it wasn’t for Sarah Paulson amazing performance in American Crime Story. Speaking of the emmys I have a video suggestion for you: Movie stars and “Best actress in Limited series Emmys” (Winslet, Kidman, Michelle Williams etc...)

[@darielzahidpalacios1605]

She should have won the golden globe for Fargo, instead of puke Gaga

[@user-xq2lk6on9y]

@@darielzahidpalacios1605 The golden globes is cancelled and Dunst is an Oscar nominee now so... Plus if the emmys timeline was exactly just like the Oscar(from the start of the year to the end of the year) she would have definitely won (either her or Queen Latifah) who also lost to gaga at the gg-

[@darielzahidpalacios1605]

@@user-xq2lk6on9y soooo? That doesnt take away that she was robbed just bc Gaga was on the race with a mediocre performance

[@TheAwardsContender]

Ooooh, good idea. Thanks for watching!

[@wardone8991]

Her best work, is in Interview and Melancholia. Both great. But not the kind of thing to attract the attentions of the Hollywood award people.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes, very true!

[@karinekarapetian3496]

I like talented actresses very much KRISTEN STEWART and KRISTEN DUNST💖💖💖💖💋💋💋💋

[@TheAwardsContender]

Same here!! Thanks for watching!

[@andressalgado4558]

make one about keira knightley pleaseee

[@marinalopez4978]

I always assumed Lars von Trier's "I used to be a Nazi" 'joke' ruined Dunst's chances for Melancholia.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yup

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

Underrated

[@TheAwardsContender]

Yes!

[@belloutdoors5217]

I stan her and jesse!

[@robb2biago]

Omg! The movie Dick is hilarious! And Michelle Williams singing I honestly Love you. And as a fan of Drop Dead Gorgeous, Marie Antoinette is just a delicious, fashion treat.

[@kuanyshbekismailov2200]

So underrated(

[@TheAwardsContender]

Agreed!

[@renan.csmaia]

I'm still waiting a video about Glenn Close... 😊

[@TheAwardsContender]

It's coming! Stay tuned!

[@adagiobreeze8493]

My Favorite movie of hers was All I wanna do (1998)

[@TheAwardsContender]

Need to see that one!

[@prettycrabby]

I don't know if Meloncholia went under the radar as much as the response was blow back after the press conference where Lars Von Trier made a lot of insane comments. After that the movie was tainted for award season. (Really love all your videos!) ❤

[@huguihugh9803]

The main reason of why she wasn't nominated for Interview with the Vampire was that Anna Paquin won for the Piano Lesson the prevous year. Also was a horror film while The Piano was a much more serious drama. Dick was a box office dessaster

[@therealangelosettler]

I looked this video my favorite performances from hey are bring it it on and interview

[@queenb7013]

There's a bit of a controversy with The Beguiled: Coppola cut out a slave character from her version and she said some racist comments too and Dunst's role was originally written for a mixed black person yikes

[@keelahrose]

She's only been nominated one time. Winning on your first nomination is probably rare.

[@j.d.andrew-nv2oh]

Have you thought about doing a video on Pugh? Lots of good performances and only one nomination.

[@SoulKnightKing]

I think a few things undermined Dunst Oscar win. 1. The release date. Power of the Dog was an early front runner, but West Side Story wasn't released until Decmber so she basically went unchallenged the entire season's race until Ariana DeBose came with a vengeance. 2. The Ensemble Cast itself was too good. That really screwed her over. At one point people expected her to win supporting actress, Kodi win Supporting Actor, and Benedict win Best Actor. Plus Jesse was great as well and deserved his nomination as well. So the issue became that she was unable to shine or be the highlight or selling point kf the movie. That's am advantage DeBose had. Even though Mike Faist and Rachel Zegler were captivating as Lead Actress and Supporting Actor (Those 3 were deservingly acclaimed), everyone agreed that Debose was the highlight if the film. So even though Dunst had an oscsr winning performance, she was not the highlight of the film because the rest if her cast was just as exceptional. However with CODA winning SAG Best Ensemble, POTD wasn't able to use the strong casting as an edge and thus all 4 actors began to blend with one another and thus Dunst was able to be overlooked because the cadt as a whole was phenomenal, but none striking enough to stand out alone. 3. POTD being the favorite to win all season. POTD was expected to win Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay. Those are 3 of the top awards, however woth CODA undermining it for Best Picture it began to weaken the strength of the movie itself. The Academy gave it the most nominations and so everyone expected it to win all the major awards and 1 or 2 acting. That assumption then allowed others to vote for their favorite and others and thus undermined Dunst as well as every other category except Director. 4. Rita Moreno. She's an icon and a legend, and with DeBose acclaimed performance people were gonna honor her by honoring DeBose. 5. Her role is more subtle and the brilliance comes in the nuances and breaking of her character. Compare that to the firecracker role of DeBose it becomes easier to root for Anita over Rose. However, I have no reason to believe that if WSS was delayed by even a month more in its release and Dunst didn't have to face against DeBose that she would've lost the race. With Smith leading King Richard, Aunjunae Ellis was her only real competition but Smith was better than Ellis so the Academy would've favored Will over her and thus allowing Dunst to have gone unchallenged and to win. However, I'm proud of her this season. 👏

[@nediaelifra721]

yep plus Aunjaune missed Sag too if TPOTD didn't keep the frontrunner status long like roma it could have won BP and some acting sadly

[@TheAwardsContender]

Thank you for your thorough comment, so many great reasons here why Dunst lost. Thanks for watching!

[@ertfgghhhh]

I like that she doesn't get plastic surgery....she is a rarity

[@nediaelifra721]

eternal sunshine got 2 noms and won rightfully screenplay

[@ME-ru4hv]

LOL don't over think it

[@dismallyhappy]

Her lack of awards despite her talent and vast performances makes me think that she doesn't network with the usual powerful people in hollywood. Unlike others who won or or were nominated for awards that don't have as much variety in their performances (yeah, I don't care, I'm bringing others down and comparing them to Dunst because I'm not impressed with their performances).

[@theelephantintheroom5340]

I honestly really wanted her to win for the power of the dog, she was so amazing in that. But while she was due her Oscar at that point, Ariana DeBose shone in west side story, that performance was one of the ones in the film that truly blew me away, the scene when the jets spin her as she tried to reach Tony, she was so gritty and somewhat real despite the flamboyant and fun feel to the film, it being a musical. So while she is much due her Oscar, Ariana most definitely deserved her win.

[@TheAwardsContender]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@huguihugh9803]

She wasn't nominated for Melacholia because Lars Von Trier Nazi Comments, that in fact banned the movie from the Award Season.

[@bruh_hahaha]

I feel that Dunst ‘peaked’ right out of the gate. For me she was much more charismatic and her acting much more convincing as a child actor. All her work Spiderman and forward has been very ‘meh’

[@TheAwardsContender]

Interesting, I’ve always been a fan. Thanks for watching!

[@greyLeicester]

It's Ariana De Bosé. The accented é is pronounced like ik Beyoncé, as the emphasis of the word falls on that syllable. Otherwise it sounds like you are saying 'The Boss' which sounds completely ridiculous

[@j.d.andrew-nv2oh]

A lot of great actors will never win an Oscar. A number of so-so actors have.

[@gedaivy7279]

The director of Melancholia messed up her certain Oscar nod. He got a all weird and political. Kirsten was embarrassed at the event, but he rambled on.

[@karenpaolalopes9524]

She was the best performance in her category! Should’ve been the winner for TPOTD

[@TheAwardsContender]

Would’ve been great!

[@jeremyslather]

For me, the piano-banjo scene alone should have won her the oscar. I love debose, but i still think dunst gave a stronger performance.

[@TheAwardsContender]

It was a stunning performance. Thanks for watching!

[@viantzpradz4771]

Ohhhh please, she only one time nominated for Oscars...!!! So please, dont makes this video for her...!!!

[@ronniedeshe5253]

Is this video a joke?

[@agnessofiacastrocarvalho774]

She doesn't care about this stuff

[@philliploza8546]

The “ magnificent” power of the dog?? Eh….

[@allanmiller4972]

Dunst lost her supporting actress Oscar 2 deBose's REcycled '61 Moreno Oscar win! SOLELY on the basis of RACE...most certainly NOT MERIT!!! The 'AWFUL' truth!!! 😩😖😔👎😈🔥🤸