Cannes, thoughts on film coverage/criticism and Beautiful Boy

A few things happened over the past few days that pertain to the Oscars. Cannes, being the most obvious as well as the social media launch of Amazon Studios "Beautiful Boy." Also, I have discovered the first performance of the year I would like to seriously be considered for an Oscar, although I'm concerned that due to the nature of film coverage/criticism she might be out of luck.

Let's start with Cannes.

Having not been and never been to Cannes, I have always had to examine the world's largest film stage from a far. Doing that can have negative consequences at times. Remember when the buzz for "Tree of Life" was negative? I carried that into my viewing of the film. How bout the fact that the same lazy insta "journalism" that happened around Lars von Trier's "The House That Jack Built" also plagued his brilliant "Antichrist" several years ago? "Lars has gone too far," Indiewire touted in their post screening headline response. Quoting a tweet from someone who WASN'T EVEN AT THE FESTIVAL!

How will Cannes survive, says one of my absolute favorites in this game...Come on. Of course it will survive. And it will adapt. We still had Asia Argento's searing speech about Harvey Weinstein. We had a jury of majority women. We had 82 women on the palais...demanding change. Even the conversation about Netflix is important. Cannes is fine. If they want star power they need to find films that are GREAT with stars! "Solo?" NO! How bout "Black Panther?" Or even "The Avengers?" There is wattage to be had in better films. If they don't go that route? Again...Cannes will be fine.

I was pleased to see that the film that won the Palme d'Or seemed to be deserving. Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Shoplifters." Yes, it beat out Spike Lee's "BlaKkKlansman" (Grand Prix winner) and Alice Rohrwacher's "Happy as Lazzaro" (Best Screenplay - in a tie) but deservedly so, it seems. So, Spike Lee did not with the Palme and neither did one of the women in competition. Dare I say, good!? If "Shoplifters" was the best, it deserved to win. THAT's how Cannes survives. Not awarding something in a reaction to a movement or righting a wrong.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing them myself. Last year, I got stuck on Eric Kohn's lukewarm reaction to "The Square" and when I saw it, I absolutely loved it. A very deserving win. When I saw Palme winner "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" several years before, I had the opposite reaction. I HATED it. Lesson of Cannes? Make your own opinions.



Yesterday I saw Sebastian Lelio's drama, "Disobedience" starring Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams and Alessandro Nivola. I jokingly told a friend, "who doesn't love a good lesbian drama?" Probably not the most PC thing to say, but truly, who doesn't? Especially if it's good. And this one is good. With some GREAT moments. I can't go into all of the details of why I loved it here because the ending is so precious. I read somewhere that the film doesn't earn it's story. Completely wrong, in my opinion. I was afraid it was going to go a couple of ways in the end...and I kept thinking...no, this can't happen. It doesn't make sense for these characters as they are being portrayed. And then suddenly, it takes a wonderful perfect turn.


I can't help but think about "Final Portrait" along with this. Even "Annihilation." I can even connect these films to Cannes with the Special Palme awarded to Godard for "The Image Book." Why did Cannes give Godard a special award instead of simply giving him the Palme? Maybe because critics don't give films that don't have your usual stock character arcs or narratives the most positive reviews. And Cannes is reflecting that lens with their own awards.

Look at "Final Portrait," "Annihilation" and "Disobedience" on any critic aggregate site and you will see. These films may not be standard Oscar fare...even as the Oscar norm is shifting to the likes of "Moonlight" and "The Shape of Water" but they deserve to be recognized for their art. Awards Wiz will do that, even if others won't.

And let me say this now. Rachel McAdams deserves to be considered for an Oscar nomination. They would be smart to campaign her in Supporting. She is incredible.

Finally, I want to briefly talk about "Beautiful Boy." There is much to say about this story and how it connects to my life. And the time will come. For now I will say this. I'm concerned. Amazon may be smart with their multi Timothee collage/teaser...but I'm concerned about what I'm seeing.  I'm very much looking forward to the first trailer. You can see the one of the teasers below.