Thank goodness Oscar nomination day is over. After a few weeks being semi unplugged, I couldn't resist the lure of post nominations Twitter, and honestly, I'm feeling a bit hungover. Last night, all geeked up on social media, trying my best to disconnect, I was considering just ditching this race altogether. Luckily his morning I woke up feeling creatively refreshed and ready to end this season on a high note.
We are officially in Phase 2, but before I completely let go of Phase 1, I need to process a couple of things. And I need more than 280 characters.
Letting Go
I've been thinking a lot about both Bradley Cooper and Timothee Chalamet's Oscar snubs, and how each campaign could've learned from the other.
In a perfect world, the work would speak for itself, but that's simply not how these things go. Although both Timothee and Bradley worked the rooms and made the rounds, something was missing from both the campaigns.
For Bradley, there seemed to be a lack of personal connection in his interviews. Where Timothee wears his heart and emotions on his sleeve, Bradley only lets you in so far. I believe that the film itself, and Cooper's performance in it gave us a closer look at Bradley the person than any of his interviews or exposes did, but he made it look too easy, especially for a first time director.
The high level of difficulty and scope of "Roma," the simplistic beauty of "Cold War" and the liberalism of "Vice" won out. Yorgos, on the other hand made it look very difficult...the opposite of simplicity. And Spike Lee damn well deserved it. I think it's Lee's Oscar to lose, with "Roma" as Best Picture. Today, at least.
I loved "A Star is Born" and think Cooper should have gotten in, but Film Twitter began a takedown of the film, particularly Cooper as director, almost immediately - although it lost steam up against the powerful tsunami of love the film elicits in people. The Academy and Hollywood loves him, otherwise he wouldn't have 7 Oscar nominations (4 alone for acting!) but the Directing branch is persnickety.
Timothee, played all the right notes, charming as ever, and Amazon wasn't afraid to spend the money on this campaign. But the thing they neglected to tap into, closer to nominations at least, was that group of people, critics included, who loved the film. Film Twitter killed the film's chances the night it premiered in Toronto, declaring it divisive, and Amazon never figured out how to recover.
I know there are people out there who are disappointed that Ethan Hawke didn't get in for "First Reformed" or Toni Collette for "Hereditary." To those people and to the ones upset for "Won't You Be My Neighbor" or Timothee or Emily Blunt, remember that the Oscars cannot erase your love for a film or a performance. The great ones stand the test of time, especially if we continue to introduce people to the work. If you are reading this and are as let down, pick yourself up, remember - it's only an awards show - and keep the work in your heart. Just don't be afraid to share it.
Moving On
So, now what?
I watch more movies and prep for my "27 Days of Oscar" series which will start in less than a week! So what films remain unseen after yesterday's Oscar nominations? Not a lot, thank goodness. I even got an early start yesterday with "Mary Queen of Scots." Quick thoughts on that one? Pretty dull, but with some killer costumes, particularly Elizabeth's near the end of the film. More on its chances later.
Here is a list of the films I have yet to see:
At Eternity's Gate
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Never Look Away
Capernaum
Christopher Robin
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Minding the Gap
Of Fathers and Sons
Shorts
It's a very doable list. So, let's do this!
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