The Road to the Oscars 2009: The Contenders article
I have been an Oscar watcher for quite some time now. Each year, either in February or March, the destined Monday is marked on my calendar as a red-letter day. Getting up early and grabbing my seat before the television just before the beautiful people glide in in their resplendent gowns and suits has become a yearly ritual. In recent years, with a falling viewership, the Academy has had to take some radical measures to rein in the audience. One being the juggling of the hosts. Some of the best comic talents have had the privilege to host the ceremony. But this time, it's not a comic but a matinee idol, Hugh Jackman who will be doing the honours. Even the date has been pushed ahead from late March to February to ensure that the nominees are still fresh in the minds of the public.
Let us take a look at the major nominees this year. Divided into three categories at my discretion. Disagreements are expected and invited. Firstly, the Also-rans, who despite being quality films have not been able to snare nominations in most of the major categories. Then a section called What was the Academy Thinking??? Films ranging from mediocre to good-ish, but definitely not one of the best five this year. And then The Others. Deserving films in the shortlist. Make a beeline for them, the moment they grace Indian cinema halls.
THE ALSO-RANS
Perhaps the biggest pass-over of them all. This is the closest a film centering around a super-hero will ever get to be nominated for the top honour. Fans and film writers were unanimous in assuming that the Academy will finally see some sense and nominate it despite its central character. Perhaps if Batman was a real-life person with a disability, the film would have had a real chance.
Happy-Go-Lucky
While her infectiously gay performance as Poppy has been lauded by one and all, Sally Hawkins does not come close to the best actress statuette. To say nothing of Eddie Marsan in a pitch-perfect supporting role. Personally, I liked the movie so much, I would even like to see it amongst the contenders for Best Picture and Best Director.
Sam Mendes' dysfunctional family in American Beauty was the toast of the Oscars in 2000. However, his shaky marriage in Revolutionary Raod has been side-stepped despite being equally (if not more) lacerating. And I find it hard to believe that Leonardo has not been nominated in the Best Actor category.
WHAT WAS THE ACADEMY THINKING???
I know, I know. It has won all major awards on its way to the Oscars this year and it may make it a clean sweep. But this fantasy tale of a slum urchin who makes it big on a quiz show is far from best. You enjoy it while it moves. But whenever it pauses, it drains you of the euphoria.
Yes the nominations for Sean Penn and Josh Brolin are justified. But anything else could have been avoided. A clear case of the Academy's obsession with bio-pics. Penn plays Harvey Milk, the first self-confessed homosexual to be appointed to public office in the US. The film is propped up by some superior acting.
Quite simply, I would like to replace Revolutionary Road at all places where The Reader has been nominated. It leads you on with what seems to be like an interesting premise but it never really culminates into a good movie. A clandestine sexual affair gets in the way of justice for an SS guard. Not as exciting as it sounds.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Benjamin Boring would have been a more appropriate title. Pretentious and over melodramatic, this film has just one interesting thing to say. The story of a man ageing in the reverse. But this novelty value wears of much before you can read out its title. And the nomination for Brad Pitt is a bit too much.
THE OTHERS
The film about the interview session where Nixon finally confesses his wrongdoings. Gripping from the first scene to the last. With strong performances by the entire cast, it's nice to see it nominated in almost all the major categories.
Four actors from this film have been nominated for the Oscars this year. That ought to give you an idea about how powerful this film is. Allegations and defense in an orthodox church set the stage for a terrific showdown between Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Rachel Getting Married
The cutesy Anne Hathaway of Princess Diaries is gradually making way for Anne Hathaway the actress. A well deserved nomination for playing the fresh-from-rehab rabble rouser at her sister's wedding. Ah and yes, if you are looking for yet another Indian connection at this year's Oscars, the wedding in this film has an Indian theme with the girls dressed in sarees and ‘˜Hindustani' music playing in the background.
Frozen River
Another film with another strong performance. Melissa Leo is superb as the tough, single mother who takes to human trafficking to support her family. The film is good too but probably not good enough to make it to the top 5.
Woody Allen has made better films and he has made worse. A complicated affair involving two female friends, a lover and his ex-wife gets interesting at times. And at others, it falls flat. A nomination for Penelope Cruz for Supporting Actress is like choosing the right category to nominate this film.
You'll laugh till your sides hurt. A film crew shooting a film in the jungle never realizes when fiction ends and reality kicks in. Typically, these kind of films never make it to the shortlist. Maybe, the Supporting Actor nomination for Robert Downey Jr. is a beginning.
A washed out pro-wrestler's final hurrah. Mickey Rourke will forever be remembered for this one role. It takes you behind the scenes of a sport that has forever been derided as a sport for the kids and simple minds. Watch this film and it will change your point of view for good.
Comments( 4 )
Devang. A good piece here. It is a
Devang. A good piece here. It is a tough one this year and I think it will be hard to "pin - point"at this moment to say that "this film will win." But I would agree with you that "Slumdog" may perform a clean sweep and I think it will probably receive an award for Best Music Score.
One of the reasons why I think that the viewing figures and in particular for the "Academy Awards" night, have been down is that many are not able to view on the terrerestrial TV as they had been able to do so before in many countries. This is now almost all shown on Satellite Stations. Many still don't have access to such TV stations, even though it is available in most areas of the world. Also many have cable TV only and they have to pay extra to view Satellite Stations. In some countries the extra amount to be paid is quite high and especially if one has to pay for each channel that they receive.
One thing, though, I think is for sure and that is, the late Heath Ledger will get an award for his role as the joker in "The Dark Knight."
And may i also add that the telecast in
And may i also add that the telecast in the early morning is also a disincentive. By the time it is telecast at prime time, everyone knows who won thanks to the proliferation of the internet.
Devang you are absolutely spot on with
Devang you are absolutely spot on with this. Due to the technology today and having 24 hour news services, the information gets around before the telecast and once, as you have correctly mentioned, its known, even if it is via internet or 24 hour news channels, people aren't really bothered to watch it. A good example of this was the recent BAFTAs. Many got to hear about the winners almost within ten minutes of the telecast, which was live in the UK, ending.
I was up late - till early hours of
I was up late - till early hours of this morning as I was receiving text messages from US, receiving all the news as and when it could be sent to me. But finally it was the result that was expected, including the news that the late Heath Ledger receiving his award for his role in "The Dark Knight." and A.R Rehman receiving his awards.