The Academy Awards return on February 22. When the Oscar statuette comes to Hollywood, everyone has opinions and predictions to who deserves their perspective awards. This is the first of a two part article. This article will focus on who is snubbed.
Best Picture: “The Dark Knight” – Let’s already give it the fact that Christopher Nolan’s epic is nominated for eight awards. But those awards, aside from Heath Ledger’s terrifying performance as The Joker, are a joke. How the Academy, with all their wisdom, knowledge and sense of films, pass up the second highest grossing film of all time and that was critically acclaimed across the country boggles the mind. Over the recent years, the Academy tends to award those indie films that are more pretentious and, at times, more gratifying than the blockbusters that hit multiplexes worldwide. Maybe it’s because this is an action film. Or maybe it’s because it’s a comic-book film. It doesn’t and shouldn’t matter. This film showed the consequences that affect people when decisions are made.
Best Director: Sam Mendes, “Revolutionary Road” – It would’ve made sense to put Nolan’s name here but the best picture snub is bigger. Mendes, on the other hand, does a great job at showing how bleak a marriage can be when both spouses are trapped in confines that they don’t want to be in. Not only that, he did get great performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
Best Actor: Robert Downey Jr., “Iron Man” – Here, another comic-book film gets the heave-ho. Downey Jr., who’s already nominated for “Tropic Thunder,” is more deserving of a nomination in this category. With all the action and excitement that came with “Iron Man,” the charm and charisma is all Downey. With a lesser actor, the film wouldn’t be as entertaining or as energetic. Downey commands the attention of the audience and makes Tony Stark bigger than his iron suit.
Best Actress: Michelle Williams, “Wendy and Lucy” – The movie itself is simplistic, about a girl trying to find her dog. But Williams bring such warmth, sincerity and emotion to her Wendy that it’s hard to look away from the screen. Any other actress with fewer abilities would have us finding flaws in between the film but Williams wouldn’t have it that way. We feel for her and its all thanks to Williams’s great acting presence.
Best Supporting Actor: James Franco, “Milk” – Sean Penn gets the Best Actor nod, Josh Brolin gets the supporting recognition, so what does Franco get? Snubbed. Franco, coming off a great year with “Milk” and “Pineapple Express,” basically wasn’t recognized for playing the endearing and understanding role most women are accustomed to. It’s a role everyone has seen before but Franco brings a different angle and emotion to it.
Best Supporting Actress: Rosemarie DeWitt, “Rachel Getting Married” – Even though at times Anne Hathaway dominates the screen, DeWitt playing the titled character, steals moments which we will remember her for. It’s her wedding but her sister is always the center of attention. DeWitt shows that anger, anxiety and jealously that comes with getting married and always having a sister that is the focus of the party. Her portrayal is subtle but powerful.