LOS ANGELES — An hour after film academy CEO Bill Kramer issued a statement saying Andrea Riseborough would be allowed to keep her lead actress nomination for "To Leslie" following an academy investigation that found her team did not violate any Oscar campaign rules, a voter called me to vent. And to tell me she had just finished watching "To Leslie."
"Her team did nothing wrong," the academy member said, "other than run an unconventional campaign that circumvented the Oscar machinery. She absolutely deserved the nomination, and I've heard from a lot of friends who have watched the movie since this whole stupid thing erupted, and they all agree. And you know what? I think she could win!"
The voter requested anonymity, in light of Kramer's letter to members, asking them to "refrain from publicly discussing your voting preferences or attempting to persuade others to vote similarly." That missive also noted that the academy would be reviewing its rules as "it is apparent that components of the regulations must be clarified to help create a better framework for respectful, inclusive, and unbiased campaigning."
