How Amy Adams ruled TIFF 2016

There are precious few awards at TIFF; sure there’s the People’s Choice, and now the juried Platform competition, but while films are lauded with prizes, actors and actresses are not– so let’s talk for a minute about Amy Adams.

Amy Adams came to TIFF with not just one, but two, big, buzzed-about movies: Tom Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival.” One a moody dramatic thriller, the other an exercise in character-driven science fiction. “Arrival”’s also directed by a Canadian– so bonus points for that.

Adams in ‘Nocturnal Animals’

Her performances are so strong in both, critics are having a hard time figuring out which performance is more likely to land her an Oscar nomination. On paper, “Nocturnal Animals” may seem like the more Oscar-friendly movie; it was directed by Tom Ford, whose previous film “A Single Man” saw its star Colin Firth nominated. And it’s probably more palatable to Oscar voters than “Arrival,” seeing as they typically shy away from genre fair.

But despite its science fiction premise, “Arrival” is hauntingly soulful. The story of a linguist helping the government try and build a bridge of communication with alien visitors may not sound like the kind of movie that sees a ton of Oscar nominations, but it’s ultimately a tearjerker. And, without giving away anything, its commitment to the genre allows Adams to play some truly unique notes a standard drama wouldn’t.

In ‘Arrival’

So what we’re saying is, Amy Adams really kicked butt this year.

The other metric by which people judge a lavish film festival appearance is by their presence on the red carpet. At the “Arrival” premiere Adams certainly checked that box in a red Alexander McQueen gown– and again, this is for the movie that wasn’t directed by a fashion icon.

(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

And similarly elegant at the “Nocturnal Animals” premiere:

(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

The fact that Adams has been able to rack up festival accolades on the heels of playing Lois Lane in the mostly ludicrous “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” just speaks to her abilities as an actress, and willingness to take on such a wide variety of roles.

So Leonardo DiCaprio may have shown up to TIFF for the first time, Jennifer Hudson may have popped by a screening to cover Leonard Cohen – but come on, this was Amy Adams’s year.