Hollywood is anxious to find out if “CODA,” “The Power of the Dog” or “Belfast” will be named the year’s best film at the Oscars on Sunday and whether audiences will actually tune in to see it happen.
Moody Western “The Power of the Dog” had looked set to ride off into the sunset with Tinseltown’s top prize, handing Netflix its much-coveted first best picture, but the Academy Awards race has been flung wide open in the past few weeks.
“CODA” an uplifting drama about an eccentric deaf family has surged in popularity, and industry insiders say Kenneth Branagh’s childhood-inspired “Belfast” cannot be ruled out.
“It’s a two- or three-horse race,” said Variety film awards Editor Clayton Davis, who has witnessed “big momentum” for “CODA.”
“People have had a very rough last two years. And ‘CODA’ is positive, it’s feel-good. And I think voters are in a feel-good mood.”
“It’s a very tight race,” agreed Hollywood Reporter awards columnist Scott Feinberg.
While Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” is adored by many, it is “a bit more polarizing” and “not everyone’s cup of tea” a handicap, as Academy voters are asked to rank all 10 best picture nominees.
“CODA,” which began life as an indie drama, benefits from being perceived as “the underdog” despite being bought and released by tech behemoth Apple, an Academy voter said.
“Some Academy members I speak to are still reluctant to vote for a Netflix film as a best picture. But then here comes Apple, a streaming service as well,” said the voter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noting the “twist of irony.”
‘Smart money’
In a year when big-budget blockbusters finally hit reopened movie theaters and rival streamers amped up their libraries with star-packed new films, the acting categories are contested by some of the biggest names in the movie world.
Will Smith is the strong favorite for best actor for his turn as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in “King Richard.”
“CODA” star Troy Kotsur, who is deaf, has swept the supporting actor prizes so far this awards season, melting hearts as a father who wants his daughter’s music aspirations to succeed, but depends on her to communicate with the outside world.
The best actress race is far closer
Feinberg called it “truly one where any of the five nominees could win,” but said Jessica Chastain’s portrayal of a real-life televangelist in “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” was the “likeliest” to strike Oscars gold.
Davis agreed that was the “smart money,” but said there was “a lot of love for Penelope Cruz,” who could spring an upset for Spanish drama “Parallel Mothers.”
Ariana DeBose is expected to win best supporting actress for musical remake “West Side Story,” although its revered director Steven Spielberg faces strong competition for best director from Campion.
Sci-fi epic “Dune” is expected to win the most Oscars overall due to its dominance in technical categories, from cinematography to visual effects.
‘TikTok generation’
The Oscars ceremony returns this year to its traditional venue at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, after pandemic protocols shifted last year’s ceremony to a downtown Los Angeles train station.
Television network ABC will hope for a return to the higher ratings of years past as well.
The 2021 gala was watched by a paltry 10 million viewers — a 56 percent decline from 2020, which was already a record low. Efforts to win back viewers include a new “fan favorite” prize voted for online by the public — introduced after popular blockbusters such as “Spider Man: No Way Home” and Bond flick “No Time To Die” received only a handful of nominations.
“Every award show is going through a ‘Come to Jesus’ moment,” said Davis, pointing out that nosediving audience numbers had hit all prizegiving ceremonies.
“I think the Oscars are now finally trying something new, seeing how they can reach a new audience, this new TikTok generation.”
Among the new things on tap is the controversial decision to pre-tape the bestowing of awards in eight categories.
The pre-announced winners of best sound, best score and other less starry Oscars will have their speeches edited into the broadcast. But still, the perceived snub has been controversial in the industry.
“I understand that the Academy are working under tremendous pressure, but I think that they made a mistake,” Denis Villeneuve, director of “Dune,” told AFP.
The extra time will be allocated to longer musical performances and comedy skits from hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall.
Beyonce will perform her nominated track from “King Richard,” lending the gala much-needed stardust, while the latest 007 theme will be performed by fellow nominee Billie Eilish.
Still, better television ratings will be “a very uphill climb,” said Feinberg.
“If the ratings are steady, or go down even further, they have a real big problem.”
Here are the nominees in key categories for the 94th Academy Awards, to be handed out in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” an eerie psychological Western about a repressed 1920s cattle rancher in Montana, leads with 12 nods, followed by sci-fi epic “Dune” at 10, and “Belfast” and “West Side Story” tied at seven.
Best picture
“Belfast”
“CODA”
“Don’t Look Up”
“Drive My Car”
“Dune”
“King Richard”
“Licorice Pizza”
“Nightmare Alley”
“The Power of the Dog”
“West Side Story”
Best director
Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast”
Ryusuke Hamaguchi, “Drive My Car”
Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza”
Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”
Steven Spielberg, “West Side Story”
Best actor
Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog”
Andrew Garfield, “tick, tick…BOOM!”
Will Smith, “King Richard”
Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”
Best actress
Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”
Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter”
Penelope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers”
Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos”
Kristen Stewart, “Spencer”
Best supporting actor
Ciaran Hinds, “Belfast”
Troy Kotsur, “CODA”
Jesse Plemons, “The Power of the Dog”
J.K. Simmons, “Being the Ricardos”
Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”
Best supporting actress
Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”
Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story”
Judi Dench, “Belfast”
Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog”
Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard”
Best international feature film
“Drive My Car” (Japan)
“Flee” (Denmark)
“The Hand of God” (Italy)
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” (Bhutan)
“The Worst Person in the World” (Norway)
Best animated feature
“Encanto”
“Flee”
“Luca”
“The Mitchells vs the Machines”
“Raya and the Last Dragon”
Best documentary feature
“Ascension”
“Attica”
“Flee”
“Summer of Soul”
“Writing with Fire”
Best original screenplay
“Belfast” – Kenneth Branagh
“Don’t Look Up” – Adam McKay and David Sirota
“King Richard” – Zach Baylin
“Licorice Pizza” – Paul Thomas Anderson
“The Worst Person in the World” – Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier
Best adapted screenplay
“CODA” – Sian Heder
“Drive My Car” – Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Takamasa Oe
“Dune” – Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth
“The Lost Daughter” – Maggie Gyllenhaal
“The Power of the Dog” – Jane Campion
Films with six or more nominations
“The Power of the Dog” – 12
“Dune” – 10
“Belfast” – 7
“West Side Story” – 7
“King Richard” – 6
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