Rose Byrne's Oscar Bid: Why This Australian Actress Deserves the Best Actress Win
For writer Rebecca Shaw, the annual Oscars ceremony represents the ultimate cinematic showdown – her personal equivalent of a football grand final. As awards season reaches its climax, Shaw finds herself firmly in the camp of Australian actress Rose Byrne, despite the formidable competition from Jessie Buckley in Hamnet.
The Awards Season Obsession
Shaw openly admits to becoming completely absorbed in movie awards season each year, comparing her dedication to that of a stereotypical sports fan who disappears during football season. This period represents prime time for film analysis, with the most discussed movies of the year competing through various awards shows before culminating in the Academy Awards.
"I love movies and I'm not afraid to admit it," Shaw declares. "I love watching them, discussing them, and listening to hours of podcasts where other movie lovers and experts dissect them."
The Best Actress Controversy
While many categories remain hotly contested leading up to Oscar night, most industry observers consider the Best Actress award already decided – with Jessie Buckley as the heavy favorite for her performance in Hamnet. Shaw respectfully acknowledges Buckley's incredible work but makes a passionate case for why Rose Byrne deserves the statue instead for her role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.
"Not just because I think her performance is amazing," Shaw explains, "but because I really want her to have an Oscar in her house."
Byrne's Remarkable Range and Consistency
Shaw argues that Byrne has been underrated throughout much of her career despite demonstrating extraordinary range and consistency. The Australian actress began acting at just 13 years old, faced rejection from every major drama school in Australia, and landed her breakthrough role in Two Hands at only 18.
Her career trajectory showcases remarkable versatility:
- Dramatic television: Holding her own against Glenn Close in the legal thriller Damages
- Horror franchise: Starring in the Insidious series with convincing fear and intensity
- Blockbuster films: Appearing in X-Men and Troy with equal competence
The Comedy Factor That Sets Her Apart
What truly elevates Byrne to greatness, according to Shaw, is her exceptional skill as a comedic actor. Her breakthrough role in Bridesmaids demonstrated hilarious comedy chops alongside Kristen Wiig, while she shone opposite Seth Rogen in Bad Neighbours.
"In the underrated Rose Byrne film I recommend most, Spy, she plays a Russian arms dealer, a fully formed comedic character who gets more laughs than Melissa McCarthy," Shaw notes. "Even in a movie as dramatic as If I Had Legs, she delivers dark humour perfectly."
Shaw emphasizes that excelling across multiple genres – thrillers, romances, dramas, and horror – is impressive enough, but matching that excellence in comedy represents something truly special and rare in the acting world.
The Australian Connection
Adding to Shaw's support is Byrne's maintained Australian identity. Despite her international success and frequent use of various accents in roles, Byrne remains recognizably Australian to those who know her background – though Shaw notes that comment sections frequently reveal surprise about her origins.
While acknowledging Jessie Buckley's own considerable talent and genre versatility, Shaw makes her final position clear: "I want Rose Byrne to win. She's my home team." As the Oscars approach, Shaw will be watching movies, listening to film discussions, and hoping for what she considers a deserving underdog victory.
