OSCAR Nominees React: Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Naomie Harris, Michelle Williams, Viggo Mortensen, Isabelle Huppert

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Category: Celebrity News, Interviews, Pictures

Published on Saturday, 28 January 2017 21:45

Written by Janet Walker

LION, Moonlight, Elle, and Captain Fantastic, such diverse stories, as a boy is lost, a young man struggles to find life, a woman assaulted, with vengeance, hunts for the attacker and parents deeply isolate themselves to raise a family.

The 89^th Academy Awards nominations are always met with varied reactions and in a year like 2016, when it seemed everyone moved the bar up to single out only five performances and less in some categories as excellent or stronger is simply difficult. 

Below are a few of the nominee’s reactions:

Nicole Kidman, Best Supporting Actress nominee for "Lion": "I want to thank the Academy for all of the acknowledgments you have given this heartfelt film. But, most importantly, I want to thank the Brierley family for putting themselves in such a vulnerable place and sharing their story with the world. And thanks to Garth Davis for putting his heart and soul into all of us. Woo Hoo!”

Naomie Harris, Best Supporting Actress nominee for "Moonlight": "'Moonlight’ is touching many hearts at a time when people are seeking compassion and connection in the world. I am incredibly grateful to the Academy for recognizing my part of this story as well as my fellow ‘Moonlight’ family. It has truly been an honor to share Barry Jenkins’ and Tarell McCraney’s beautiful journey.”

Dev Patel, Best Supporting Actor nominee for "Lion": “Ok, so I just received a call to say that I’ve been nominated for an Academy Award…To be totally honest, the news hasn’t made it’s way into my brain yet, but I’m looking at these beautiful smiling faces around me… Faces of the ones I love. And I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. What makes this moment so much more poignant is that I’m in India right now. This enthralling country holds such a deep place in my heart, and it is where Saroo’s journey was born. This film would be nothing without Garth Davis. Without his love, commitment and vision this ‘Lion’ wouldn’t have been able to roar. To that extent I want to share this incredible feeling with Luke, Grieg, Jenny Kent, Iain, Angie, Emile, Sunny, Nicole, David, Rooney, Divian, Priyanka, the Brierley family as well as the Weinstein Co team. ‘Lion’ reaffirms the message that love is not dictated by the color of your skin, not by race, gender, sexuality, social status, or origin. It is a message I am proud to be spreading during these uncertain times. This will forever be one of the most memorable experiences of my life."

Michelle Williams, Best Supporting Actress nominee for "Manchester by the Sea": "Thank you so much to the Academy for this recognition. Making this film was incredibly rewarding and none of it would have been possible without the guidance from our fearless leader, Kenneth Lonergan. I am thrilled to share this nomination with Kenny, Casey, Lucas and the rest of the cast, producers and crew. Congratulations to my fellow nominees. It is truly an honor to be included among such amazing women in this category.”

Viggo Mortensen, Best Actor nominee for "Captain Fantastic": “I’m thrilled that ‘Captain Fantastic’ has been included among this year’s Academy nominees! Our movie has heart and brains. It entertains, inspires, and encourages honest communication in equal measures. I’m extremely proud to represent Matt Ross’ extraordinary story. It is one of the finest collective efforts I’ve ever been a part of. YES WE CAN! I wish my mother, who loved movies and taught me about them, was still here to enjoy this moment.”

Isabelle Huppert, Best Actress nominee for "Elle": “I am infinitely grateful to the Academy, it is a tremendous joy and honor for me. This film means so much to me and, with this nomination, [director] Paul Verhoeven is also rewarded. I would like to sincerely thank our French producer Saïd Ben Saïd. I am also so grateful to Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and the great, great team from Sony Pictures Classics who supported the film and my work with such confidence from the beginning. Thank you, thank you, thank you…”

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Sources: Various