Although Moore noted in an interview that she had been crying during the filming, after the director reminded her that she was “dying, not crying”, she did not shed a single tear on the final cut. This fact is part of what gives the scene such an impact on the viewer. Moore’s portrayal of Annie in this final scene displays Annie’s pride and dignity. She does not show an ounce of fear at the prospect of dying. Instead of being upset herself, she takes her time sharing her final wishes with Lora and comforting her old friend. The second scene was at Annie’s funeral, although Moore did not act during this scene, audiences were touched by the depth of a daughter’s love for her mother after all of their differences.
The fact that audiences were so affected by this scene is proof of how touching Moore’s portrayal of Annie had been, even to White audiences. It is the general consensus of all of the film’s critics and reviewers of the past and presents that while the original film had been considered more progressive for its time than the 1959 version, Juanita Moore’s Annie made the more recent version far more touching and emotional. She was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress based on her performance.
