We must put aside the trivial issues and focus on what matters! Democratic nominees, missing Iraqi WMDs, a half trillion dollar deficit, a Medicare overhaul that costs a third more than predicted - such questions pale in comparison to the supreme concern: the Academy Awards.
For whatever reason - be it simply a crop of quality films, greater Academy sensibility, or both - the nominations for 2003 are the best choices made in years. For most categories, four out of five of the nominees could get the Oscar without producing yells of expletive-filled protest from this viewer.
So, who will triumph?
With best picture, it's clearly between "Mystic River" and "Return of the King." Will the Academy stick with its rigid habit of rejecting anything but a drama? Ever since the first "Lord of the Rings" film was nominated, the talk has been, "Oh, they'll wait 'till the last one and reward the whole trilogy." This is sound reasoning. Both films are superb, but "Return of the King" is much more likely to go down in cinematic history.
For best actor, it's Sean Penn's year for "Mystic River." Penn is arguably the "greatest actor of his generation" and has received three best actor nominations in the past. Give it to him. He's earned it. He'll probably get it. Bill Murray and Johnny Depp, though, are perhaps the dark horses in the category. Both gave popular performances crucial in the success of their films. There's a chance one of them could swoop in and take it.
It's Charlize Theron in "Monster" for best actress. Her astounding performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos is not all of the inevitability of her victory. In past years, the Oscars have loved to reward actresses who have taken on roles that require them to be both emotionally and physically raw by radically transforming themselves and "de-glamming." Obvious examples include last year's Nicole Kidman in "The Hours," Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball" for 2001 and Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry" for 1999.
Given the Golden Globe and his standing in Hollywood, Tim Robbins in "Mystic River" is the front-runner for best supporting actor. Watch this one, though. Past years have shown it to be a less predictable category when there are many deserving actors. All are contenders, even Benicio Del Toro for "21 Grams," who, despite his win in the same category for "Traffic" in 2000, could conceivably win.
In best supporting actress, Renee Zellweger for "Cold Mountain" is the sure bet. She's been nominated for best actress the past two years. In this category her performance stands out the most. Be very surprised if she does not get it.
With the director category it's the same deal as best picture. It's "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson's hands down. None can match his achievement. Were he not nominated, any of the others would be wholly deserving, though.
The two other categories of popular interest - best original and adapted screenplays - almost always prove near-un-guessable. Sometimes they serve as consolation prizes to what should have received higher nominations or victories. Therefore, "Lost in Translation" or "In America" are likely for original. Adapted does not fit that reasoning as well. It's very much up for grabs.
Web exclusive Oscar commentary:
Best Picture
"Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
What an excellent selection this year! The last year the nominees were this great was 1994. It's real tough to beat a line-up like "Pulp Fiction," "Forest Gump," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Four Weddings and a Funeral," and "Quiz Show."
Three of the undisputed best mainstream films of the year and the miracle independent "Lost in Translation" receive the recognition they deserve. "Seabiscuit" is without question the one that lags behind. I'll accept its nomination, though. "Cold Mountain" was largely shut out in many categories. It could have taken the place of "Seabiscuit" here, though. Both received about the same critical and audience reception.
So what could or should have taken the place of "Seabiscuit"? The two obvious picks are "In America" and maybe even "Whale Rider." If the Academy really wanted to get radical they could have considered "American Splendor."
Best Actor
Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
These are all universally excellent performances. The real significance of Depp's and Kingsley's performances is that they rise above the films they contain. The reason to see "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "House of Sand and Fog" is because of them. And Murray's performance in "Lost in Translation" is the role he's been working toward his entire career. Law is the low man on the totem pole here. Still, it's great that he was nominated for his first leading man role.
It's good that Russell Crowe and Tom Cruise failed to make the cut; especially Crowe who's been honored more than enough in the past couple years. And of his roles this is probably the weakest.
Who could have been squeezed in? Perhaps instead of Kingsley or maybe Law? Viggo Mortensen for "Return of the King" would have been nice. Paul Giamatti in "American Splendor" would have been a long shot. I know he never had a shot at the nomination, but one of the greatest performances of the year is without a doubt Billy Bob Thornton's turn in the funniest film of the year, "Bad Santa."
Best Actress
Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
This is the first nomination for everyone but Keaton who won in 1977 for "Annie Hall." (She's had two other nominations as well.) For everyone except Theron, who's practically guaranteed victory, the nomination itself is the award. It's so wonderful that 13-year-old New Zealander Castle-Hughes wasn't forgotten.
It's quite a surprise that Morton was picked over Scarlett Johannson who had a great year with both "Lost in Translation" and "Girl with the Pearl Earring." (Of course the Academy generally shuns youth with the exception of the occasional young teenager ala Castle-Hughes and Anna Paquin.)
Oh and of course Uma Thurman would have been great for "Kill Bill." But who actually thought that was going to happen?
Best Supporting Actor
Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
Plenty of interesting, compelling work here. Hence -- it's difficult to pick the clear winner. It's safe to say that most of us are probably disappointed that the Academy didn't get somewhat radical and tap Andy Serkis for his astounding portrayal of Gollum in "Return of the King"
Best Supporting Actress
Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
I'm not too familiar with most of the performances here nor has it been that great of a year for supporting actresses. Of course, as a general rule, each year there's usually not much competition in this category. There will be a front runner and they'll get it without question. The last upset was in 2000 when Marcia Gay Harden won for the independent "Pollock" over Kate Hudson's popular role as Penny Lane in "Almost Famous."
-á
Best Director
Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
"City of God"! Yeah! This came as a total shock to everyone. The amazing Brazilian film received four nominations. If you can handle subtitles and pretty strong violence then the film is required viewing. It's in the tradition of "Goodfellas," a brutal true story of crime. The nomination is, of course, the award.
Do not give the Oscar to Eastwood. "Lord of the Rings" is a more monumental, incredible directing feat. Jackson needs to be honored.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Academy decides to give the Oscar to Coppola. It would be an upset, but it's definitely possible because no woman has won a directing Oscar yet. Being the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola helps too.
Best Original Screenplay
Denys Arcand, "The Barbarian Invasions"; Steven Knight, "Dirty Pretty Things"; Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson and David Reynolds, "Finding Nemo"; Jim Sheridan & Naomi Sheridan & Kirsten Sheridan, "In America"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation."
Last year the Academy threw everyone for a loop by giving the best original screenplay Oscar to Pedro Almodovar for "Talk to Her." That year it was nominated alongside another foreign film, "Y Tu Mama Tambien." That might make one lean towards "The Barbarian Invasions." That's unlikely, though given its relatively low exposure.
This was not the strongest year for original screenplays. Four of the five best picture nominees were adaptations. "21 Grams" and "All the Real Girls" would have been appropriate though. -á
Best Adapted Screenplay
Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman, "American Splendor"; Braulio Mantovani, "City of God"; Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Brian Helgeland, "Mystic River"; Gary Ross, "Seabiscuit."
This is the tough one. There aren't any noticeable trends in past years to go on. Sometimes it will be one of the popular front-runners in the best picture category. Other times they'll pull something out of left field. Your guess is as good as mine.
The only comment I'll give is my delight in seeing "American Splendor" nominated. It reminds me of 2001 when Daniel Clowes and Terry Zwigoff were nominated for "Ghost World." Both films have strong connections to underground cartoonist Robert Crumb (who's actually a character in "American Splendor") and are based on graphic novels.
E-mail David at swimminginbrokenglass@yahoo.com
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