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The Oscars: predictions and predilectionsBy Ralph Hammann
12:00AM / Thursday, February 26, 2004
It’s Oscar time, and once again we are asked to accept that exactly five entrants in each field are the most worthy and that, although we may be comparing applets and kumquats, kuchen and kugel, one is the best. But for entertainment purposes — and to avoid more serious issues — we play the game.
With “Lost in Translation,” Sofia Coppola has made a sublime film about souls that caress each other in the twilight. There is not a misstep in her control of the tone and quiet intimacy in the gentle dance between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Coppola should have been nominated for her first (and better) film, the arrestingly original “The Virgin Suicides,” but perhaps it was too unique, and it lacked the Murray mystique that attends “Lost in Translation.”
Similarly, Clint Eastwood has made another work of sustained mood that approaches but never rivals his Oscar-winning “Unforgiven.” Where Coppola’s film is nuanced and tranquil, “Mystic River” deploys subtlety to heighten its eventual blows to the solar plexus. As are Coppola and her work, Eastwood and his are worthy nominees.
Peter Weir’s direction of “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” is above reproach, and his trademark mastery of natural environments capably juxtaposes mystical and contemplative scenes with those that are audacious and violent. But his current film lacks the impact of his past work because of an unremarkable script.
Like “Mystic River,” “Seabisquit” is a film that is blessed with a flawless ensemble. It suffers from director Gary Ross‚ gloss on some of the wonderful details of the true story and too short a running time. But its evocation of time period, luminous cinematography and essential heart make it a populist pleasure. Ross was the only director of a nominated film to go unrecognized. That honor went to Fernando Meirelles, whose cinema verité peek at life in Rio de Janeiro’s dark underbelly, “City of God,” is interesting but uninvolving.
The most worthy nominee is Peter Jackson, whose direction of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” is as wizardly as the trilogy he wrought from J. R. R. Tolkien’s almost-impossible-to-translate source material. While this installment may be the least impressive (the second was the most), the feat is still staggering. He deserves and will win the Oscar for the trilogy. At the moment, Jackson seems heir to the mantle of Akira Kurosawa and Sir David Lean.
But the most impressive film and director weren’t even nominated. With “Big Fish,” Tim Burton (heir apparent to Federico Fellini?) melded his whimsically offbeat style to a story that has the substance and cohesive structure that many find lacking in his other works. It is a pure masterpiece in which special effects are seamlessly wed to character development, plot and theme. Touching, funny and wise, its honest emotion and painstaking mise-en-scene truly renews one’s faith in film as a transforming experience.
Nor were “In America” and its director, Jim Sheridan, nominated. This marvelous foray into magical realism was grounded by painfully and joyously spontaneous performances that legitimately plumbed more different emotion depths than any other cast save that of “Big Fish.”
Other neglected directors and their films include Jim Sheridan (“In America”), Phillip Noyce (“The Quiet American”), Stephen Freers (“Dirty Pretty Things”), Peter Hedges (“Pieces of April”) and Ron Shelton (“Dark Blue”).
Herewith, one critics‚ playing of the Oscar game:
Picture: Will win and should win: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Overlooked: “Big Fish” and “In America.” Overrated: none.
Director: Will win and should win: Peter Jackson. Overlooked: Tim Burton (“Big Fish”) and Jim Sheridan (“In America”). Overrated: Fernando Meirelles.
Actor: Will win: Sean Penn. Should win: Sean Penn and Bill Murray. Overlooked: Kurt Russell (“Dark Blue”) and Michael Caine (“The Quiet American”). Overrated: Jude Law.
Actress: Will win: Charlize Theron. Should win: Charlize Theron and Samantha Morton. Overlooked: Hope Davis (“American Splendor”), Katie Holmes (“Pieces of April”) and Rachel Evan Wood (“Thirteen”). Overrated: Diane Keaton.
Supporting actor: Will win and should win: Tim Robbins. Overlooked: Albert Finney (“Big Fish”), Billy Crudup (“Big Fish”) and Ewan McGregor (“Big Fish”). Overrated: Alec Baldwin.
Supporting actress: Will win: Reneé Zellweger. Should win: Patricia Clarkson or Holly Hunter. Overlooked: Jessica Lange (“Big Fish”). Overrated: Reneé Zellweger.
Original Screenplay: Will win: “Lost in Translation.” Should win: “In America.” Overlooked: “Pieces Of April.” Overrated: none.
Adapted screenplay: Will win and should win: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Overlooked: “Big Fish” and “The Quiet American.” Over-rated: “Seabiscuit.”
Art Direction: Will win and should win: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Overlooked: “Big Fish.” Overrated: none
Cinematography: Will win: “Girl With a Pearl Earring.” Should win: “Seabiscuit.” Overlooked: “Big Fish,” “The last Samurai” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Over-rated: “City of God.”
Original score: Will win: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Should win: “Big Fish.” Overlooked: “Seabiscuit.” Over-rated: “Cold Mountain.”
Editing: Will win and should win: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” Overlooked: “Big Fish.” Overrated: “Cold Mountain.”
Ralph Hammann is The Advocate’s chief theater and film critic. |
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