After the rather chaotic calendar of the last couple of years, the Academy Awards are back to their normal schedule meaning that it’s only a couple more weeks until the awards season is closed out with the most coveted prize of all – the Oscar. We’ve already taken a look at the Best Actor/Actress and Best Animated Picture categories, and we’ve saved the best until last – Best Picture. So who will take home the big one?
Nightmare Alley
When the mysteriously closed off, down-on-his-luck Stan Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) learns the art of mentalism and manipulation from a carnival clairvoyant and her alcoholic husband, and uses his new found skills to carve himself a path of fame and fortune amongst the wealthy elite. Stan’s greed and ambition lead to his ultimate downfall when he crosses paths with the enigmatic and dangerous psychiatrist Lilith Ritter.
Guillermo Del Toro’s got some stiff competition but I would be more than happy if he was able to follow up his Best Picture win for Shape of Water with a win for the exquisitely designed, visually stunning and perfectly paced neo-noir psychological thriller that is Nightmare Alley.
Don’t Look Up
Let’s be honest with ourselves, how much faith do we have in our global leaders to do the right thing if an extinction level event was just over the horizon? Well, Adam McKay’s biting political satire Don’t Lookup takes this concept, throws in a gigantic planet-killing meteor heading straight for planet Earth, and uses it to hold up a mirror to our modern preoccupations with money, power and influence.
Considering the phenomenal cast, with over 45 (!!) Oscar nominations between them, it’s not surprising that Don’t Look Up has garnered some award recognition but, considering the competition this year I doubt Mckay will be in with a chance to take home the big prize.
Read my full review – here.
Dune
There were few films in 2021 that were more highly anticipated than Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune, widely considered to be the world’s best selling science-fiction novel. Planned to be told in two instalments, Part One introduces us to Herbert’s rich and complex world of mythology, religion and history and tells the story of young Prince, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) – heir to House Atreides, prophesised as ‘The One’ for the mysterious Sisterhood to which is mother belongs and plagued by visions of a mysterious girl in the desert.
Although it’s probably not my choice for the Best Picture win, with a total of ten nominations across all categories, Dune is a strong contender to take home the big prize.
Read my full review – here.
Belfast
Heavily inspired by his childhood, Sir Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical black and white drama, Belfast, follows nine year old Buddy and his family as the dangers and violence of the conflict known as The Troubles, permeate their once peaceful working-class community and force the family to make a terrible, heart-breaking decision: stay in their home or start packing.
Licorice Pizza
Set against the backdrop of 1970’s America, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza is a coming-of-age story of friendship and first loves, as bored photographer’s assistant Alana reluctantly accepts a date from the young but surprisingly mature and fearlessly confident child actor, Gary Valentine. As their friendship grows and blossoms, the pair embark on ambitious business ventures to make their mark on the world, but will their friendship endure as they navigate life’s ups and downs?
Drive My Car
Nominated for four Oscars, including Best International Feature Film, Japanese drama Drive My Car tells the story of a a renowned theatre actor and director still reeling from the unexpected death of his wife. When he receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theatre festival in Hiroshima, he is forced to confront the painful truths of his past and, with the help of his chauffeur, he starts to face the mysteries his wife left behind.
The Power of the Dog
Continuing their assault on traditional production companies, streaming giant Netflix have delivered yet another Oscar nominated film with their Western romantic-drama, The Power of the Dog, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. Based on the novel from Thomas Savage, director Jane Campion’s story sees the charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspire fear and awe to those around him. His aggressive attitude, fits of rage and incessant taunting torment those around him but when his brother brings home a new wife and her sensitive teenage son, Burbank finds himself opening up to the possibility of love.
West Side Story
Adapted from the 1957 musical, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story tells the classic story of two warring gangs – the Jets and the Sharks, led by Riff and Bernardo respectively – set amongst the decaying neighbourhood of San Juan Hill in New York’s Upper West Side. With tensions between the two gangs reaching an all time high, an unexpected whirlwind romance between Jet brawler Tony and Bernardo’s little sister Maria sets the stage for an all out turf war.
King Richard
Even the most sport-averse people have heard of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. Zach Baylin’s King Richard shows the vision and dedication of Richard Williams to give his daughters a place in sporting history. The unyielding commitment of their father and the keen intuition of their mother, set against the neglected tennis courts of Compton, California , sees the incredible talent of Venus and Serena overcome insurmountable odds to blaze their path of tennis greatness.
CODA
As a CODA (child of deaf adults), high school senior Ruby Rossi tries to juggle working on her father’s fishing boat and the family’s expectations with the typical teenage worries of schoolwork and social life. When Ruby joins the school choir she discovers a passion for singing but when her father’s fishing business is threatened she finds herself at a crossroads; stay and keep fighting the everyday battles for her family or leave and pursue her passion for music.
And the Best Picture winner is…
