Holly Hunter

Agree 100%. Its pretty much universally understood she gives the most layered and complex performance of any character in this entire film.

Everybody else is a quirky, goofy, almost cartoony (but in a good way) Southern stereotype but Ed is the only one who comes off as somebody "real." A woman who craves a peaceful and decent family and a baby to make her feel complete as a woman and she goes a little nutty over it. Hell, here in Pennsylvania, just this week a woman who was infertile stole an infant from a Pittsburgh hospital because she wanted to be a mommy and adoption has so many stipulations/takes so long that you're likely to get a 5-year old or older instead of a fresh, baby to raise from birth.

I don't think Holly Hunter got the Academy Award nomination is because, at least at first, this was seen as a silly slapstick comedy and Best Leading Actress roles never get that. Best Supporting Actress, maybe, but she wouldn't qualify as shes the main female lead in the film.

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Funny, I was just thinking about this earlier today. I was thinking specifically of the scene where she cries out that she needs that baby. On one hand it's exaggerated and loud. But it's entirely in-character, and with as much real feeling as comedy. Then there's the scene in the car, when she talks to HI about breaking up. Always moves me.

I want to shake every limb in the Garden of Eden
and make every lover the love of my life

She's brilliant. Like when she starts bawling 10 seconds after meeting Nathan Jr., it's hilarious, but you BELIEVE her, that she already completely loves this baby.
I think this and Broadcast News are her two best performances. She's great in The Piano, but I'll take the other two every time.

The way she says "changed" after picking up HI at the supermarket is hilarious.

I totally agree with you, she does an excellent job being the flawed and emotional wreck that is Edwina.

I love the look she gets on her face at the beginning of the story when HI calls her a desert flower. She looks at him with a serious no-nonsense cop look as if to say "how dare you!" but at the same time, she likes it. Priceless.

She plays this role so seamlessly, it is easy to forget you are just watching an actress play a part. She becomes Ed in this story. I've always liked every role I've ever seen her in.

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George Lassos the Moon

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Much like Scarlett Johansson at the recent Oscars, Holly Hunter would soon get a double Academy Awards nomination in 1993 (for The Firm and The Piano, winning for the latter).

She was very good in Raising Arizona but perhaps the Academy was looking for something a little more to the role.