Laura Linney was savage-ly good. But will voters agree?
(Credit: Fox Searchlight)
From: Berkshire, Geoff
To: Pais, Matthew
Subject: RE: Oscars
You're exactly right. I can't agree with the alleged lack of depth in "There Will Be Blood."
More than that, I don't think Anderson should be punished for playing fast and loose with his source. It's a creative adaptation, and that's something worth rewarding. Although Anderson has mostly been praised for his direction, his film's claustrophobic examination of a deeply misanthropic American pioneer is among the most memorable character studies I've ever seen. The writing is every bit as critical to that success as Anderson's proficiency behind the camera and Daniel Day-Lewis' work in front of it (more on him later, I presume).
You'll get no complaints from me if the Coens sweep Oscar night with "No Country" (I especially want them to take home the editing award, so they'll have to accept for the work they did under a pseudonym), but I'll be quietly cheering if Polley's "Away From Her" pulls a long-shot victory. Yes, it's a performance showcase, but it's a beautifully crafted one. Polley took Alice Munro's short story and truly opened it up on a cinematic level.
The movie's leading lady, Julie Christie, has been dominating the awards leading up to Oscar—she won a Golden Globe, SAG award and several key critics' awards—and must be considered the one to beat as best actress on Oscar night. But I thought her performance, strong as it was, could just as easily have landed in the supporting category. She's off screen for long stretches of the film and it's really her character's husband who drives the movie.
I prefer lead actors to own their movie, which brings me back to "The Savages" for my own best actress favorite, Laura Linney. Sure, Philip Seymour Hoffman is also key to the film's success, but Linney's empathetic portrayal tells us more about their family history and it's her arc that truly resonates. I can't think of a character whose personal breakthroughs I was more emotionally invested in last year (besides maybe Remy the rat).
But if it's anger you want from me, I've got four words for you: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age." Why Cate Blanchett gets to compete against Christie and Linney for her perfectly OK work in that hideously botched sequel is beyond me. And over deserving contenders like "Enchanted's" Amy Adams and "A Mighty Heart's" Angelina Jolie?
Not all of Oscar's choices were justified this year...
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