Cate Blanchett, widely celebrated for her transformative acting skills, is not usually known for comedy, with few outright humorous roles in her career. Despite this, the two-time Academy Award winner has demonstrated a notable comedic side, particularly highlighted in select films like Guy Maddin’s Rumours, where she portrays Hilda Ortmann, a character whose escalating mishaps at the G7 summit provide a quirky backdrop to the story.
While some films such as Don’t Look Up struggled to effectively showcase the cast’s talents, including Blanchett’s, performances like hers in Rumours affirm her capability to embrace offbeat and comedic roles. However, other attempts, such as in Borderlands, fell short, illustrating the sporadic nature of her comedic presence.
Limited Recognition in Comedy Despite Prestigious Career
Although Blanchett has amassed 13 Golden Globe nominations over her career, only two were for roles in the musical or comedy categories. Notable comedy-related work includes Barry Levinson’s Bandits and Richard Linklater’s Where’d You Go, Bernadette, the latter often regarded as underrated despite the film’s mixed reception. This pattern underscores that while comedy is not the main focus of Blanchett’s filmography, she still brings versatility to her varied roles.
The Missed Opportunity to Portray Lucille Ball
Blanchett’s personal admiration for Lucille Ball, an iconic figure in comedy history, adds a poignant aspect to her comedy legacy. She had harbored hopes of playing Ball in the biographical film Being the Ricardos, a dream dashed due to scheduling conflicts that prevented her from committing to the project. Ultimately, fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman took on the role.
Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball’s daughter, expressed deep disappointment over Blanchett’s absence from the film, highlighting the emotional weight of the casting change. Blanchett herself spoke passionately about Ball’s remarkable accomplishments, marveling at Ball’s pioneering role as a female studio head and her transformative impact on comedy. She said,
“I mean, you want to talk about astonishing women who have made a lasting impact? You walk onto a film set and you’ve got the female bathrooms called ‘Lucy’ and the male bathrooms called ‘Desi’. She was the first female studio head, for goodness sake, and a mother, and she broke all the rules, and changed comedy, and was this incredible actress.” – Cate Blanchett
Impact of Missing the Role and Lucille Ball’s Lasting Influence
The casting of Kidman as Lucille Ball initially met with some criticism but was ultimately celebrated when Kidman earned a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for her performance. Blanchett watched from the sidelines as another actress gained widespread acclaim for a role she had long coveted. Despite this, she remained firm in her belief that Ball is the greatest and most significant comedic actor in history.
Many have speculated that Blanchett’s embodiment of Ball might have earned her similar accolades, but missing the opportunity has not diminished her admiration or resolve in honoring Ball’s comedy legacy. Blanchett’s reflection on Ball highlights the continued reverence for groundbreaking talent in the entertainment industry and the personal significance such roles hold for actors.
