10. Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network (2010)
"The Social Network" is quite literally an American classic; a landmark film filled with perfection ranging from the editing, directing and acting. But perhaps the strongest component element of the film lies in its screenplay. Though I'm sure David Fincher and the gang could have still pulled it off to some degree without the screenplay, Aaron Sorkin's brazenly witty writing is the beating heart of the film. I've never seen a film that contained such wickedly enthralling dialogue exchanges before. The film should have won Best Picture, but at least the Academy got this category right.
9. Best Film Editing: Kirk Baxter & Angus Wall, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Yes.. another David Fincher film, but hear me out. A lot of people loved Fincher's adaptation, myself included, though found it to be cold and emotionally vapid. But that's the point; Fincher immerses us in a cold, dark world filled with an equal amount of mystery and deceit. As with any Fincher film, the technical elements are revelatory, but the editing in this film is incredible. It balances out the film's lengthy running time, keeping us on our toes, waiting for Fincher to finally just release the tension that slowly builds throughout the narrative. The film was nominated for 5 Oscars, and was not pegged to win this award. Sometimes the Academy chooses the most deserving nominee instead of the one hyped up the most/campaigned the hardest. This was definitely one of those times.
Say what you want about Joe Wright's ambitious, bold take on the famous Russian novel (I loved it), but one thing you can't knock it down for is it's jaw droppingly beautiful, intricate costumes, which add so much to the film and story. Look for yourself; I dare you to argue with me.
I'm not here to discuss Woody Allen, so leave those opinions about his status as a filmmaker out of this. Blue Jasmine was definitely one of last year's best films, but more importantly, it featured the year's best turn by an actress who had already proven herself to be one of the greats. As the indelible Jasmine, Cate Blanchett is a level 5 hurricane, threatening to take down everyone with her, including herself. The actress has never been so gloriously messy onscreen, both physically (those pit stains!) and emotionally. I was afraid that Cate's status as a frontrunner was a little undeserved, having peaked so early in the year. However, after watching the film, I understood; this is a titanic, mammoth performance, one that demanded to be rewarded.
6. Best Picture: 12 Years A Slave (2013)
I was truly worried last year that "American Hustle", in all of its overrated, messy glory, would swoop in and win Best Picture. People were wild for that film, and I don't really understand why. But thankfully, the Academy stood up and awarded the more daring, accomplished film. Steve McQueen's epic adaptation of Soloman Northup's struggle to survive is beautiful, tragic and unashamed in telling the truth. So often, the Academy rewards films that paints our nation's history in a lighter shade. McQueen and his ensemble, tell a different story, the true story, the ugly truth that our nation is built upon. Featuring devastatingly great performances (more on that in a little), this is another film that is an instant classic, and definitely up there with the great Best Picture winners of all time.
5. Best Original Score: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, The Social Network (2010)
Reznor, Ross and Fincher collaborations have become my favorite film score collabs in recent memory; the 3 are puzzle pieces that fit so perfectly together, adding so much intensity and thrills to the stories. Their latest output, "Gone Girl", is evidence of that, but it all started with The Social Network. I can't even put into words how much this win thrilled me, seeing as there were so many bland, conventional choices in the category (ahem, "The King's Speech). The Academy took a chance to reward something different and innovative.
4. Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables (2012)
No actress has ever done Fantine like Hathaway, and I will stand by that statement till the day I die. Within the (roughly) 4 minutes that we spend with her during her epic showstopper, "I Dreamed A Dream", Hathaway tells us so much about Fantine without even really taking the lyrics of the song into account. Furious anger, saddening heartbreak and soulful optimism are conveyed within mere seconds, laid bare on her gaunt face, beautifully paired with her gorgeous rendition of the song. It's unforgettable, and the crowning achievement of the film itself. This is a portrait of a woman who knows her time is up, but is still pleading to have another chance at the very life that tore her apart.
3. Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years A Slave (2013)
Though she didn't win all the awards, she deservedly took home the top prize as the heartbreakingly, unforgettable Patsey. Though the film is undeniably the story of Soloman Northup, it is Nyong'o's Patsey that we leave the theater thinking about. I will never forget the shot of Soloman riding off as Patsey stands there on the plantation and asks him, "What will become of me?". What will become of this beautiful young woman? Tortured to within an inch of her life, Patsey's screams strip our bones bare, forcing us to feel the sheer terror that McQueen's story is showing us. It is an incredible performance, and though her screen time isn't as large as her co-stars, Nyong'o makes the biggest impression. I will never forget Patsey. I can only hope that we give this talented actress more opportunities to dig into more complex characters, because this was a promising start.
Oftentimes, when an actor or actress undergoes a physical transformation, it gets in the way of the actual performance. The Academy then tends to reward the actor/actress in question for being able to physically copy whoever they're playing (if it's a biopic or something of that sort) or for being able to "transform" into something that is unlike who they normally appear to be, instead of rewarding the performance itself.
And so when it was announced Fox Searchlight would push Natalie Portman for Best Actress the year of "Black Swan", much of what you heard was how Portman lost weight and trained with a professional ballerina for over a year before shooting the film. However impressive her transformation is to you, however, is not even close to the emotional gamut that Portman runs throughout the film's duration. Though the film's screenplay makes Nina more of a personified embodiment (she is quite literally The White Swan from Swan Lake), Portman takes that hollow framework and fills it with everything she's got. Portman carries Black Swan on her back, pirouetting and dancing through each scene while being able to convey so much emotion and paranoia in every shot. The film is not just about Nina becoming a woman, or finding her Black Swan, but it is also Portman breaking down barriers and becoming a true leading lady.
Many believed the Academy would award Annette Bening's overrated turn as a lesbian mother in "The Kids Are All Right" simply because she was "overdue" (being nominated 3 times prior and losing). And while it was a nice, nuanced turn (much different from the histrionics that usually comprise an Annette Bening performance), it paled in comparison to Portman's multi-layered work as a schizophrenic ballerina. Besides, Portman was robbed by Cate Blanchett back in 2004 for her supporting work in "Closer", so if anything, the Academy was making up for a very wrong decision.
This was supposed to be David O. Russell's big moment. Though American Hustle was poised to spoil in categories like Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress, this was the category that was supposed to be set in stone for the writer/director, and I'm so happy that the Academy chose to reward Jonze's heartfelt, beautiful work instead.
I can't think of the last time a movie made my heart burst with emotion more than "Her" (maybe "The Spectacular Now"?), Jonze's best film of his very impressive filmography. The premise of a man falling in love with his OS system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) seemed ludicrous to a lot of people. But what seemed silly, was actually the most genuine display of romance that film had seen in a very long time, a testament to the strength of Jonze's writing. The film's theme is universal; if you have ever been in love, you will feel a connection to the film. It's impossible not to fall in love with "Her".
Originally published by the Whit
No comments:
Post a Comment