Why Brady Corbet, Sean Baker and Coralie Fargeat Were the Only Directors Who Could Make Their Best Picture Nominees

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Leading as a director entails a versatile skill set, encompassing the keen vision of an artist, the empathetic insight of a psychologist when it comes to understanding human dynamics, the dexterity of a juggler in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and the strategic perspective of a general, ensuring the overall project’s coherence.

Behind the scenes, it’s clear that the five filmmakers nominated for Oscar awards in the Directing category this year – Jacques Audiard (“Emilia Pérez”), Sean Baker (“Anora”), Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”), Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”) and James Mangold (“A Complete Unknown”) – each contribute something distinct that makes them stand out from their peers.

For Baker, “Anora” is a carefully managed chaos. The success of this movie hinges on the effectiveness and attractiveness of a chaotic, confusing storyline. In this tale, the protagonist, Anora (played by Mikey Madison), becomes an unintentional guide in New York’s Brighton Beach district, helping to find Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the privileged son of a Russian oligarch who she has eloped with. In the hands of another director, Anora might appear fragile or even victimized under the control of Vanya’s handler, Toros (Karren Karagulian) and his ineffective henchmen. However, Baker skillfully choreographs these seemingly unforeseeable scenes to showcase Ani’s resilience — a testament to her inner strength — as she actively participates in the search for her recently-married husband.

If “The Substance” leads to chaos in a similar manner, Fargeat carefully constructs this chaos with an impressive blend of aesthetic and narrative storytelling. The initial hints of TV fitness guru Elisabeth Sparkle’s (Demi Moore) unsettlingly surreal world are shown early through super-wide-angle shots of her producer Harvey (Dennis Quaid), which highlight him and make Elisabeth feel distant. However, as the body-swapping process with her alter ego Sue (Margaret Qualley) takes over, the vibrant colors and expansive settings shift from being a bright, multi-colored backdrop to a metaphorical cell, keeping Elisabeth isolated from the admiration and recognition she craves.

Corbet constructs a unique and expansive setting in “The Brutalist,” which is both vast and ominous, mirroring the atrocities of the Holocaust, the pulsating tempo of post-WWII America, particularly for immigrants, and an architect’s grand vision. To authentically portray the evolving viewpoint of László Tóth (played by Adrien Brody), Corbet shifts from impressionistic glimpses of Tóth’s escape from Hungary to more straightforward depictions of his tough, laborer lifestyle, and eventually to a fittingly dramatic stage for his creativity as it swallows everything in its path, including loved ones and the landscape itself.

Although “A Complete Unknown” likewise aims to portray an artist’s unrestrained drive, Mangold notably exhibits a subtle, methodical precision in his direction. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t extravagant scenes or moments requiring intricate planning. It’s fascinating who else within the team might have coordinated the intricate final concert scene and arranged its spatial layout and narrative flow so simply. Mangold’s ability to make complexity appear effortless has always been a signature of his work, and this film beautifully combines style with its subject matter.

Additionally, we have Audiard, who infuses “Emilia Pérez” with the self-assuredness and command of a circus ringmaster. Despite being primarily a musical adaptation, he intertwines its structure with the witty drama reminiscent of a telenovela, adding depth through social commentary and presenting not one but three intricate, heartfelt character studies. He skillfully employs various cinematic tools and hues from his vast palette, resulting in a unique magic that stems from his technical proficiency. The end product is a film whose whole exceeds its individual parts, as only Audiard, much like his fellow Oscar-nominated peers, could have pieced them together so harmoniously.

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2025-02-06 20:16