This year’s Academy Awards are set to air on March 10th. This was my second time making it a point to watch every Best Picture nominee before the ceremony. I first did so two years ago, but last year’s nominees didn’t interest me enough to try again. This year, however, particularly given all the “Barbenheimer” fun last summer, I felt a greater inspiration to do it again.
Here, then, are my thoughts on each, including which are my personal favorites and which I think are most likely to win.
Meh, these were fine
Anatomy of a Fall – An interesting, slightly too long story of a woman accused of killing her husband. The French subtitles were ridiculously delayed and that affected my viewing experience. But the investigation and trial scenes kept me wondering what actually happened.
Past Lives – Best friends, separated in Korea and on starkly different paths, reunite several times as their lives progress, each wondering what might have been. I liked it but I didn’t think it was strong enough to be nominated. The title characters both could have used more depth.
The Zone of Interest – A wealthy Nazi family lives just outside the bounds of a concentration camp. It portrayed the mundane existence of their daily lives despite how close they live to ongoing horrors. It could be a bit too meandering, which I understand was likely a conscious choice, but at times it was just dull.
Excellent, but probably won’t win
The Holdovers – A humorous, heart-felt story about a group stuck together at a boarding school over the holidays. It’s a classic “misfits bond and grow” tale that I enjoy. I enjoy Paul Giamatti in pretty much everything.
Maestro – A wonderful portrayal of Leonard Bernstein’s life. Bradley Cooper is great both as the director and star. It’s both a love letter to music and performance, as well as an exploration of a complex life.
American Fiction – Jeffrey Wright (a favorite of mine) plays a struggling author so frustrated with what kind of “black art” sells that he fires off a stereotypical novel pitch as a joke and ends up getting a huge deal. It’s hilarious and heart-filled and I plan many re-watches.
The voters don’t have the guts
Barbie – Very similar concept to The LEGO Movie in celebrating a beloved toy while winking at the audience. The social commentary and satire was timely and well done, while keeping things light.
Poor Things – Bella (Emma Stone) has been newly brought to life a la Frankenstein, and is off to explore and learn about the world. Given her naive nature, she often does so in blunt ways that bypass social convention. It’s hilarious, raunchy, and visually unique.
Who are we kidding, it’ll be one of these
Oppenheimer – A stylish, thought-provoking treatment of Oppenheimer’s life, particularly his role in developing atomic weapons. It’s quite thorough in showing his rise and fall, including the government’s cynical attempts in making itself look good at all times.
Killers of the Flower Moon – Based on a true story of a series of murders of Osage tribe members in the 1920s and starring a few of Scorsese’s favorites. Well-acted, and an excellent rendering of a piece of history we tend not to hear about.
My personal favorite: American Fiction
My own preference to win: Maestro
My predicted winner: Oppenheimer
Jeffrey A. Nelson 