It was only 2 short years when I was deciding between “A Single Man” and “The Hurt Locker” figuring out which was the better of two evils. I couldn’t get behind any film that year and, compounded by the endless fields of prequels and sequels and remakes that litter the landscape of American Cinema, I wasn’t expecting much this year from Film. I stand before you, shocked, surprised and overjoyed! The field of films nominated for the 84th Annual Academy Awards this year is a vast and unique as any year in recent history. The two overall leaders in numbers of nominations is a Family/Kids Fantasy (Hugo with 11 nods) and a Silent Film (The Artist with 10). From a murder-mystery surrounded around a tattooed, badass heroine to George Clooney’s take on fatherhood and family, from a nightly trek through the “City of Lights” to a harsh look at the struggle of African-American Maids in the 1960’s south, this year’s awards are as varied as the human mind itself. Note to the reader: I am not confident with ANY of these picks, therefore I reserve the right to be wrong with any or all these picks, this is the hardest choice I’ve ever made picking these categories! That being said, here we go:Best Picture: The Artist
Last Year, I said that I could make the argument for any of the films nominated to win Best Picture. This year, as I write this, I argue with myself over what film will win. I will not be able to truly prove why “The Artist” pulls away with the Oscar this year other than this statement: It’s a black and white silent film, the first one after tens of thousands of color films with sound and, in a society which takes color and sound in films for granted, it’s garnered 3 Golden Globes, Cannes film festival awards and is nominated for 10 Oscars. I mean, how can you deny that statement? The producers should win an Oscar simply for having the courage and fortitude to make and distribute this film because we as a movie audience don’t appreciate sound and color, we expect it! This French/American project follows the fictional account of a silent filmmaker star who struggles with pride and the times at the transition period between silent film and “talkies.” I end this commentary before I talk myself into choosing another great film from this year!
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin in “The Artist”
The Heavyweights of this category make this the 2nd hardest category to choose a victor, but I give the slight edge to Jean Dujardin, the sparkling silent film producer but clouded and mired with pride and a stubbornness to change to the flow of the world. Jean’s Character experiences rejection through the onslaught of the Great Depression and the rejection from his colleagues at his reluctance to accept the evolution from silent film to “talkies”. While he never fully embraces the turnover, he finds his place in the new Cinematic world and finds the woman he truly loves. I see this as a race between Dujardin, Clooney and Pitt, Clooney as the struggling father grieving the loss of his unfaithful wife in “The Descendents” and Pitt as the brazen, direct and quite volatile Billy Beane in the sports flick “Moneyball”. Since he has no spoken lines and displays all his emotion and depth through physical movement, Dujardin nabs the award.
Best Actress: Rooney Mara in “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”
Hey, so remember how the Best Actor category was the second hardest award to choose? Welcome to the Hardest Award to choose! While all 5 ladies have more than earned their place in the Academy prestige, the haunting, sexy and all around powerful Rooney Mara steals the Oscar as Lisbeth Salander. A deeply wounded and broken young woman, Salander spends her time between underground S&M clubs, hooking up with men and women and crime-solving; punishing all who seek to cause injustice and malice against herself and others. This category is completely wide open and up for grabs for all those nominated. Merryl Streep delivers another superb presentation as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher but Mara sneaks away with it, if for anything else the tattoo scene.
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer in “Beginners”
In one of the clear winners for this night, Plummber shines as Hal Fields, a old, respected widow who realizes at the end of his life, that he is gay. Also battling cancer, Fields shows that’s it’s never too late to discover who you really are if you’re willing to accept what you find out. While the other contenders provide bright moments and memorable performances, Plumber is the clear winner. Honorable mention goes to Jonah Hill in “Moneyball”.
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
In a film filled with gut-wrenching emotion and passion, Octavia Spencer separates herself from the pack and creates a delicate balance between battered wife and fiery black woman of the 60’s south as Minnie Jackson in “The Help.” Minnie works as a quiet maid forced to labor in the face of deep segregation and the mistrust of her white employers. But don’t mistake her quietness for submissiveness and she shows how strong she can be in an unforgettable way. This might be as close a race as the Best Actress category, especially with the underdog and fan-favorite Melissa McCarthy in “Bridesmaids”. Jessica Chastain also gives a searing portrayal of a racist, crass southern belle.
Best Directing: Michel Hazanavicius in “The Artist”
Michel picks up the Oscar for the same reason Jean Dujardin does, he does so much with so little. Creating a story and vision colorblind and deaf shows a level of talent and skill that causes one to see more and more work from Hazanavicius. While the other 4 nominees are well-deserving, I cant seem to understand how Spielberg was snubbed for “Warhorse”, the passionate and sentimental look at World War I through the eyes of a strong Thoroughbred.
Tune in to the 84th Annual Academy Awards presentation February 26th at 7 p.m., hosted by Billy Crystal on ABC!
