Samantha Morton is emerging as a surprise contender for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Circe in Christopher Nolan's recent blockbuster, "The Odyssey." Despite appearing on screen for only about ten minutes in the three-hour film, Morton's performance has been widely described as the movie's standout element, captivating audiences and critics alike.
The British actress's portrayal of the enchantress in the £190 million adaptation of Homer's Greek epic has become a major talking point for the film, which achieved over £198 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
An Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member suggested that Morton is highly likely to receive an Oscar nomination. "Hollywood can’t stop raving about Samantha," the source said. "The Odyssey is the film everyone is talking about and she steals every scene she’s in. It doesn’t matter that the role is small. She delivers an emotional impact that lingers long after she’s gone. At this stage I’d be amazed if she isn’t nominated and she’s going to take some beating."
This potential recognition would mark a significant moment for Morton, who has previously earned Oscar nominations in 2000 for "Sweet And Lowdown" and in 2004 for "In America." While respected in the industry, her career has faced challenges, including past remarks from former film executive Harvey Weinstein who reportedly dismissed her as not having the appeal for leading roles.
Sources indicate that Nolan offered Morton the role of Circe directly, without requiring an audition, a gesture that reportedly moved the actress to tears. A representative from Universal Pictures, the film's studio, noted that while her screen time is limited, her presence is impactful. "It could easily have been lost in the wash. Chris wanted Samantha from the start," the representative stated. "She’s a classically trained actress and, while she doesn’t have the box-office draw of someone like [co-star] Anne Hathaway, you can’t take your eyes off her. Audiences have been gasping and crying at her scene."
Praise for Morton's performance has also flooded social media, with fans calling it "mesmerising" and "unforgettable."
Morton described the experience of playing Circe, noting her early departure from formal education to pursue acting. "I left school at 12 and started acting at that age. I’m not highly educated. I didn’t know the source material. I was just going by the script which blew my mind," she said. "I was sobbing, I was angry. I can’t really remember it in its entirety other than there was a day when I was with the pigs. I got into the zone and I was lost."
Nolan reportedly remarked that the cast and crew erupted in applause after Morton completed her scenes, drawing a parallel to the reception Heath Ledger received after filming his part in "The Dark Knight," a role that posthumously earned him an Oscar.
Historically, brief yet impactful performances have been recognized at the Oscars. Beatrice Straight holds the record for the shortest performance to win an Oscar, appearing for five minutes and 40 seconds in the 1976 film "Network." Dame Judi Dench won Best Supporting Actress for her five-minute, 52-second role as Queen Elizabeth I in 1998's "Shakespeare In Love."