The China Mail - 'Holdovers' star downplays Oscar hype after latest win at Spirit Awards

Randolph, who stars in the 1970s-set indie drama as a cook and grieving mother stranded at a New England prep school over the winter holidays, claimed her latest win Sunday at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Having already won a Golden Globe, Critics Choice Award, a BAFTA and much more, she now seems poised for best supporting actress Oscar, which will be handed out in just two weeks.

"This has been a really surreal, powerful time for me to see dreams manifesting into reality one by one," she told AFP backstage at the Santa Monica award show, which honors low- and mid-budget movies.

"I don't expect anything. I'm not betting on anything. I'm just here present, and every single one surprises me.

"I take nothing for granted. In regards to the Oscars I don't, truthfully. I'm just happy to be invited into the building. No more, no less."

"The Holdovers" also won best cinematography, and best breakthrough performance for Dominic Sessa at the Spirit Awards.

Randolph, 37, who grew up in Philadelphia, is a highly trained stage actor who attended Yale drama school after initially pursuing classical and opera singing.

After turns on Broadway and the West End, she has appeared on the big screen opposite stars such as Eddie Murphy in "Dolemite Is My Name" and Robin Williams in "The Angriest Man In Brooklyn."

But it is Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers" that has propelled Randolph into Hollywood's A-list, with few if any pundits betting against her at the Oscars.

The film is in the running for five Academy Awards overall, including best picture, with Randolph's co-star Paul Giamatti also a strong contender for best actor.

"What am I expecting? I don't know!" she joked after her Spirit Award win.

"The process has been a beautiful one. It's been a really great time."

Elsewhere at the Spirit Awards on Sunday, "Past Lives" won best feature, and Celine Song won best director for the Korean-American movie about reuniting childhood sweethearts.

France's "Anatomy of a Fall" won best international film, and "American Fiction" won best screenplay and best lead performance for Jeffrey Wright.

Movies with budgets over $30 million are not considered for the Film Independent Spirit Awards -- making it one rare award show this year at which Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" could not dominate the prizes.

Oscars voting ends on Tuesday, and the season-capping 96th Academy Awards take place March 10.

B.Clarke--ThChM