The Best Actress winner for 2003 was Hilary Swank for Million Dollar Baby. I think two other nominees were more deserving! Annette Bening was nominated for a glamorous, glorious performance as an English star of the stage in Being Julia. And Imelda Staunton was nominated for a quiet but unbelievably powerful performance as a cleaning lady who does abortions on the side in Vera Drake. On a side note, this was the second time that Swank and Bening went head to head and Swank had won - - it happened four years before for Boys Don't Cry and American Beauty. I hope that Bening wins sometime soon, she's such a blazing talent.
Diva: Bening in Being Julia
Mensch: Staunton in Vera Drake
Wow, I never saw Being Julia - but now I will! Just have to figure out where.......