OVERLAY REPORT

While the 1995 film *Safe* is now considered a masterpiece of 1990s independent cinema, its actors—specifically lead actress **Julianne Moore**—did not win major mainstream awards at the time of its release. However, Moore received several significant nominations from independent and critics' organizations, marking her breakthrough into leading roles. ### **Julianne Moore (as Carol White)** Julianne Moore’s performance as the increasingly fragile suburban housewife Carol White was widely acclaimed, but she faced stiff competition from actresses in more conventionally dramatic or high-profile roles. #### **1. Independent Spirit Awards (1996)** * **Category:** Best Female Lead * **Result:** Nominated (Lost) * **Who she was up against:** * **Elisabeth Shue – *Leaving Las Vegas* (Winner)** * Jennifer Jason Leigh – *Georgia* * Lili Taylor – *The Addiction* * Elina Löwensohn – *Nadja* #### **2. New York Film Critics Circle (1995)** * **Category:** Best Actress * **Result:** Runner-up (Nominated) * **Who she was up against:** * **Jennifer Jason Leigh – *Georgia* (Winner)** * The other runners-up included Elisabeth Shue (*Leaving Las Vegas*), Nicole Kidman (*To Die For*), Meryl Streep (*The Bridges of Madison County*), and Emma Thompson (*Sense and Sensibility*). #### **3. Chlotrudis Awards (1996)** * **Category:** Best Actress * **Result:** Nominated (Lost) * **Who she was up against:** * **Susan Sarandon – *Dead Man Walking* (Winner)** * Kathy Bates – *Dolores Claiborne* * Nicole Kidman – *To Die For* * Elisabeth Shue – *Leaving Las Vegas* * Emma Thompson – *Sense and Sensibility* ### **Other Cast and Crew Recognition** While the supporting cast (including **Xander Berkeley** as Greg White and **Peter Friedman** as Peter Dunning) received praise for their understated performances, they did not receive major award nominations. Most of the film's other accolades were directed at the writing, directing, and technical craft: * **Boston Society of Film Critics:** **Winner** for Best Cinematography (Alex Nepomniaschy). * **Independent Spirit Awards:** The film itself was nominated for **Best Feature**, **Best Director** (Todd Haynes), and **Best Screenplay** (Todd Haynes). In the Best Feature category, it was up against *Leaving Las Vegas* (the winner), *The Addiction*, *Living in Oblivion*, and *The Secret of Roan Inish*. * **National Society of Film Critics (1995):** The film was highly ranked in several categories. It placed **3rd for Best Picture** (behind *Babe* and *Crumb*). Todd Haynes placed **2nd for Best Director** (behind Mike Figgis for *Leaving Las Vegas*) and **3rd for Best Screenplay** (behind *Clueless* and *Wild Reeds*). * **Seattle International Film Festival:** Todd Haynes won the **American Independent Award**. ### **Context of the Competition** Julianne Moore's lack of wins can be attributed to the 1995-1996 awards season being particularly competitive for lead actresses. **Elisabeth Shue** swept nearly all major awards (including the LAFCA and NSFC) for her role in *Leaving Las Vegas*, while **Susan Sarandon** eventually won the Academy Award for *Dead Man Walking*. *Safe* was a much "colder" and more ambiguous film than its competitors, which made it a critical favorite but a harder sell for award-giving bodies at the time. Its status was cemented later when *The Village Voice* voted it the **Best Film of the 1990s** in a poll of over 50 critics.