10 Least Deserving Oscar Winners Ever

Shakespeare in Love strikes again...

Gwyneth Paltrow turned in an unspectacular performance almost as unconvincing as her painful, overly-emotional acceptance speech. The Goop spokesperson benefited greatly from Harvey Weinstein's relentless campaign to make the film an award hog. Portraying Viola de Lesseps, a wealthy fan of Shakespeare's work, Paltrow poses as a male actor and romances the Bard, becoming his all important muse in the process.

Paltrow and Shakespeare-portrayer Joseph Fiennes have passable chemistry and it's all very polite, pleasant viewing but none of it screams award-worthy. Fellow nominee Cate Blanchett turned in an infinitely more rewarding turn as Queen Elizabeth I in the suitably titled, Elizabeth. In fact, all of the runner-ups were more deserving that year with Fernanda Montenegro (Central Station), Meryl Streep (One True Thing) and Emily Watson (Hilary and Jackie) turning in superior performances. In the years since, Paltrow's win has often come under fire as an extension of Weinstein's push to make Shakespeare in Love a much bigger deal than it deserved to be.

A poll hosted by MSN Movies voted Gwyneth Paltrow the least deserving recipient of the Best Actress award in history.