Jennifer Jason Leigh

The story of intense sibling rivalry and the problems of drug addiction within a family are reputedly based on Leigh's sister Carrie (who is credited as "technical adviser" on the film) and her relationship with Leigh as the more successful sister. Turner, Leigh and Morrow have made no public comment as to whether the film is biographical. For the role, Leigh dropped to and sang all her songs live, including a rambling 8½-minute version of Van Morrison's "Take Me Back" performed as her character is under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Georgia was met with universal critical praise, with Leigh's performance hailed as one of the best of the year. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote that "Leigh's fierce, funny, exasperating and deeply affecting portrayal commands attention"; James Berardinelli claimed, "There are times when it's uncomfortable to watch this performance because it's so powerful", while Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times said "Leigh’s exceptional performance tears you apart... we've never seen anything like it before." Leigh won a Best Actress award from the New York Film Critics Circle and another from the Montreal World Film Festival, as well as an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She was widely predicted to receive her first Academy Award nomination for the role, but controversially, was not nominated, although her co-star Winningham received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Throughout the 1990s, Leigh showcased her versatility working with a number of acclaimed independent film directors. Read Less