Big, Happy Families Win Oscars

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As a cinephile with a keen eye for performances that truly stand out, I must say that the upcoming film “Queer” has certainly caught my attention. The cast is nothing short of exceptional, and two performances in particular have left an indelible impression on me – Daniel Craig as the telepathic detective and Lesley Manville as the eccentric South American plant guide.

In a different phrasing, when Tolstoy stated that all happy families share similarities, he might have been referring to the Oscars. This can be likened to the theory of awards season holiday cards: For three consecutive years, the Best Picture award has been given to the movie whose cast effectively portrayed a harmonious and heartwarming family on screen.

I first observed this pattern during the CODA season, as Troy Kotsur, who eventually won for Supporting Actor, consistently drew thunderous applause at every award precursor event. Mentioning this to someone involved with the film’s campaign prompted them to point out that it wasn’t just Kotsur; it was the entire family. Whenever Kotsur and his fellow stars Marlee Matlin, Emilia Jones, and Daniel Durant appeared together, voters were instantly drawn to them. The affectionate feelings audiences had for their onscreen family were stirred when they saw the actors off-screen, portraying a genuine family dynamic in real life.

In the subsequent season, it also turned out that “Everything Everywhere All at Once” triumphed, bolstered by its endearing family dynamic. Despite numerous scenes where their characters exchanged blows, they presented a united image during the campaign. The cast, consisting of Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis in her role as the quirky aunt, all slipped comfortably into their family roles.

It’s worth noting that these movies centered around families, such as CODA and EEAAO, were successful in part because they portrayed parents and children working together to achieve a common goal while strengthening their bond. This dynamic has been effectively used in other films too, even without a traditional family setting. Parasite, for instance, used this approach but presented a more acerbic family narrative. Despite this, the actors who played the Kim and Park families were warmly received by Hollywood when they toured America together, and their performance at the 2020 SAG Awards was seen as a strong indication of Parasite’s potential success. Oppenheimer, from last year, didn’t focus on a family, but the camaraderie among the scientists on screen resonated with audiences when the “Oppenhomies” made their awards circuit rounds, adding a touch of brotherly love to an otherwise serious contender.

This Thanksgiving season, I find myself pondering which movies could be enriched by the warm and heartfelt dynamics of a holiday card exchange. Here are some that come to mind:

From a cursory glance, The Piano Lesson appears to be an ideal choice. It’s a film that delves into the complexities of family, exploring themes of legacy and inherited wounds, which resonates deeply given it was created by one as well. Denzel Washington, known for his work in adapting each play from August Wilson’s “Pittsburgh” cycle, served as producer. His children, Malcolm (director), John David (star), and Katia (executive producer), are also part of this project. Contrary to expectations, the buzz surrounding the film has been somewhat subdued, even after its release on streaming platforms last week. The Piano Lesson isn’t currently Netflix’s primary focus for this season, so it seems the Washingtons may need to spearhead their own promotional efforts. Could a family road trip serve as a catalyst for boosting visibility?

Netflix’s standout production is titled “Emilia Pérez“, showcasing a family dynamic more complex than that seen in “Parasite“. This series follows the story of a transgender gangster who deceives her death and gets entangled in a custody battle with her ex-wife, who mistakenly believes this new woman is her dead husband’s cousin. However, various factors might hinder the cast from bonding as tightly as others do. Not only are the main actors at different stages of fame, but there’s also a linguistic hurdle: Half of them are native Spanish speakers, one was raised bilingual, and another had to re-learn Spanish for this role. Fortunately, Selena Gomez and Édgar Ramirez seem to have formed a strong connection!

One film that nails the holiday-card energy is the Brazilian entry I’m Still Here, which follows a family in 1970s Rio de Janeiro soldiering on after the father is disappeared by the military regime. Like The Piano Lesson, it has a real-life family connection: In the epilogue, Fernanda Torres’s matriarch is played by Torres’s mother, Oscar nominee Fernanda Montenegro. But Sony Pictures Classics is focusing on Torres’s Best Actress campaign; the film might be too far from the Best Picture conversation to make a full-family charm offensive worthwhile.

Instead of focusing on films with traditional families, it could be more effective to explore movies that portray makeshift families, similar to “Oppenheimer”. Two examples that spring to mind are “Sing Sing” and “Anora”. In “Sing Sing”, a group of prisoners in a state penitentiary create their own theater troupe, with some actors being former participants from the actual program. On the other hand, “Anora” follows four quarrelsome strangers who unexpectedly form an unofficial family during a wild night. By the end, they turn out to be more functional than the biological family we encounter later in the story. Both films seem to benefit from audience engagement when watching the cast interact dynamically on-screen, potentially garnering support from voters.

In a different way of saying it: Who else isn’t the term “family” suitable for describing the dynamic between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande during their Wicked tour, or Steve McQueen’s Blitz? While Saoirse Ronan’s talents may be the last hope for Blitz, her partnership with Elliott Heffernan onscreen seems more like a campaign trail duo than family. Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin portray cousins in A Real Pain, but their bond is far from warm and fuzzy. I recently had the chance to meet both actors at a dinner, and it was clear that they present themselves quite differently in public: Eisenberg can’t seem to turn on the charm, while Culkin always seems to be performing. Unfortunately, with only two of them, the family reunion vibe is hard to achieve.

It’s quite intriguing to imagine a scenario where the cast we’re most eager to see isn’t playing a family at all. Imagine if the characters from Conclave were hanging out casually, without their robes? We might even discover if the Italian cardinal from the series vapes in real life! Sadly, according to Little Gold Men, the cast is currently off-set, working on different projects. However, let’s hope that Conclave manages to reach its full potential and bring these middle-aged character actors together once more, creating a spectacular spectacle. Here’s hoping for it!

How to (Literally) Talk About This Year’s Oscar Contenders

At Thanksgiving gatherings, we’ve all experienced this: You’re hoping for a tranquil dinner, but your relative insists on dissecting the gender politics in the movie “The Substance”. He’s trying to involve you in a debate over whether the film is highlighting internalized misogyny or criticizing women struggling under patriarchal power structures – and all you want is to enjoy your mashed potatoes! You find yourself arguing about the director Coralie Fargeat using the male gaze, but mid-discussion, you admit, “I have no clue how to pronounce her last name.

In the spirit of the holiday cheer, let me assist you! As award-worthy films flood our cinemas, I’ve compiled a simple guide to help navigate the pronunciation of some of this year’s most buzzed-about Oscar contenders. Here goes:

Brady Corbet, The Brutalist: Corbet, the Harsh Architect

Oscar Futures: Will Queer’s Daniel Craig Come Out on Top?

Each week until January 17th, when the Academy Awards nominations are revealed, Vulture will use their crystal ball for predictions about this year’s Oscar competition. In our “Oscar Predictions” section, we’ll share behind-the-scenes information, analyze recent updates, and monitor industry chatter to help you understand who is gaining momentum, who may be struggling, and who currently seems most likely to receive an Oscar nomination.

Best Picture

Up ⬆ Seed of the Sacred Fig

Which film is likely to follow Emilia Pérez for the traditional international spot in the Best Picture category? The strong contender seems to be an Iranian domestic drama that debuted on Wednesday to rave reviews and an equally intriguing backstory. Director Mohammad Rasoulof secretly filmed the movie and had to leave the country before its Cannes premiere, now residing in Germany, where Sacred Fig was chosen as their Oscar entry. Last year, both Anatomy of a Fall and Zone of Interest made it into the Best Picture top ten, and Sacred Fig might benefit from its unexpected shift into thriller territory, a twist not commonly found in Iranian art films.

Down ⬇ Moana 2

Could the upcoming animated sequel, set to potentially surpass Inside Out 2 as the top-earning film this year, make a bid for recognition in the award circuit? Initially intended as a Disney+ series, Moana 2 was reworked into a cinematic release with the aim of maximizing revenue from American families. However, critics have pointed out its flaws, including obvious seams and the lack of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contribution. As Alison Willmore of Vulture puts it, “It doesn’t feel like a genuine sequel but rather an enhanced version of the straight-to-video spin-offs Disney used to produce alongside their major releases.

Current Predix

Chapter Two (Dune: Part Two Simplified), Emilia Pérez (Emilia’s Full Name), The Troubling Boys (Nickel Boys Paraphrased), A Real Agony (A Real Pain Reworded), Fifth of September (September 5 Reduced), Sing-Sing Prison (Sing Sing Alternate) and Wicked Witches (Wicked Simplified)

Best Director

Up ⬆ Mohammad Rasoulof, Seed of the Sacred Fig

In the bustling world of awards, few filmmakers may boast as many compelling tales as Rasoulof. Remotely directing his movie and escaping a 8-year imprisonment sentence by crossing the border on foot, he continues to exude a friendly and captivating demeanor on the circuit. This trait is not lost on critics, who have also observed it in his film. As Justin Chang puts it, “Rasoulof’s fiery anger gives way to a deep reservoir of compassion.” It wouldn’t be surprising if Rasoulof starts garnering attention from various critical bodies.

Even = Luca Guadagnino, Queer

Releasing two movies in a single year can be tricky since people might not always agree on which is superior. Critics generally find that this week’s William S. Burroughs adaptation has intriguing aspects but lacks cohesion, and often prefer last spring’s movie titled Challengers. However, Guadagnino seems to hold a different opinion, given his promotional efforts. It’s not surprising that he feels this way: Although Challengers is barely making waves in the awards discussion, Queer is likely to secure at least one significant nomination, even if it’s not for Guadagnino himself.

Current Predix

Here are the film directors and their upcoming or recent films, rephrased in a more conversational style:

Best Actor

Up ⬆ Daniel Craig, Queer

After retiring from playing 007, Craig has been on a quest to find a role that would finally put an end to the James Bond character forever. The film “Queer” marks the end of that journey. In this movie, Craig portrays Burroughs’ alter ego – a bumbling drug addict who is hopelessly in love with a younger man. According to David Fear, Craig masterfully plays this lovelorn, doomed character, which is a significant milestone in his career.

Up ⬆ Daniel Craig, Queer

Initially, I thought “Queer” might be overlooked due to its complex nature, causing some to dismiss its potential after the Venice Film Festival. However, things have shifted significantly over the past few months. A strategic campaign that combines profound reflections on masculinity with trending stunts has played a crucial role. Moreover, the withdrawal of notable contenders like Paul Mescal and Sebastian Stan from the race has undeniably benefited “Queer”.

Current Predix

Adrien Brody stars in “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet is featured in “A Complete Stranger”; Daniel Craig takes on the role in “Queer”; Colman Domingo appears in “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes plays a part in “Conclave

Best Actress

Up ⬆ Cynthia Erivo, Wicked

Last weekend, Wicked achieved the highest opening box office for a film adapted from a Broadway musical, and with every dollar it earns, Cynthia Erivo’s name becomes increasingly prominent in the Best Actress category. Unlike other potential nominees such as Saoirse Ronan and Marianne Jean-Baptiste whose films might not be seen by as many people, Wicked‘s wide audience reach makes Erivo’s performance more likely to catch voters’ attention. Despite Margot Robbie’s successful comic turn in Barbie last season failing to secure her a nomination, Erivo’s sincere portrayal in this film could make her more appealing for recognition among the voters.

Up ⬆ Angelina Jolie, Maria

Current Predix

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to highlight some captivating actresses and their memorable roles:

Best Supporting Actor

Up ⬆ Drew Starkey, Queer

In the role that constantly challenges Craig’s character in “Outer Banks”, this handsome young man finds himself tasked with portraying a character whose deeper emotions are kept hidden. He is reserved and unassuming, conscious of his good looks yet not overtly boastful about them. According to Matt Zoller Seitz, he’s dealing with inner conflicts even when he appears relaxed. The role might be too subtle to make an impact on the awards circuit, but Starkey is certainly enjoying the perks of an A24 promotional tour, including a photoshoot for Esquire magazine.

Event = Peter Sarsgaard, September 5

On September 5th, Schrödinger’s candidate is at hand: Is the Munich Olympics documentary, poised to make its move or a longshot whose studio had little faith in it? Initially slated for a limited release on Friday, it was delayed by a month at the last second – a gesture that could imply both confidence and anxiety. However, despite the uncertainty, Sarsgaard’s ABC Sports producer did secure a nomination from the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards recently. Progress made!

Current Predix

Yura Borisov, Anora; Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain; Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing; Guy Pearce, The Brutalist; Denzel Washington, Gladiator II

Best Supporting Actress

Up ⬆ Ariana Grande, Wicked

Over the past few weeks, the discussion has shifted dramatically from “Could Ariana Grande be nominated?” to “Is Ariana Grande a strong contender for the Oscars?” However, at this point, it’s more about intuition than facts, and we won’t have solid evidence until the SAG nominations in early January. Nonetheless, as Gregory Ellwood points out, if we’re looking for precedents, “Jennifer Hudson and Anne Hathaway are in a similar position.

Up ⬆ Lesley Manville, Queer

Similar to Madame Web, Queer concludes with a journey to South America, where Craig’s character hunts for a plant thought to grant telepathic abilities. In this foreign land, he crosses paths with Manville – a character who, if Yosemite Sam was portrayed by an esteemed British actor, would be her perfect comparison. She’s absolutely hilarious, and while it may not be the kind of performance that Academy members will find worthy of recognition, she’s bound to appear on the social media feeds of your culturally savvy friends.

Current Predix

Danielle Deadwyler in “The Piano Lesson”, Ariana Grande in “Wicked”, Felicity Jones in “The Brutalist”, Saoirse Ronan in “Blitz”, and Zoe Saldaña in “Emilia Pérez” are the performers.

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2024-12-02 18:54