What makes the prediction of this category more complicated is that the Academy uses a preferential voting system for this category wherein members of the Academy rank the nominees in order of preference.
It may seem like the best film category is a tight race between Boyhood and Birdman. A closer look at the nominations will tell you that it's not so simple as that. The Grand Budapest Hotel and Selma are strong contenders for this award while American Sniper has been slowly gaining ground and is emerging as the underdog that could topple the race. What makes the prediction of this category more complicated is that the Academy uses a preferential voting system for this category wherein members of the Academy rank the nominees in order of preference. This means that the film garnering the most support across board wins. The winning film is usually not the one that ranks first the most. The Los Angeles Times has a good breakdown of exactly how this works.
Since 2011, the category has been opened up to include 5-10 nominees. This year the list includes eight films.
Here is a look at the nominees—
Birdman
Boyhood
Selma
American Sniper
The Theory of Everything
The Imitation Game
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Whiplash
Birdman
Alejandro G. Iñárritu's satire on show business has several things going for it in the race for best film— an ensemble cast that delivers great performances, skillful camerawork that has drawn much admiration and acclaim and nods from Producers’ Guild, the Directors’ Guild and the Screen Actors’ Guild.
While the meta nature of the film did not work for me, there is no doubt that this is skillful filmmaking. Birdman is an immersive experience into the world of show business and explores the fraught relationship between art, acclaim and commerce, and its purveyors. Made to look like a seamless take, the film does draw your attention to the camera's presence. However, despite compelling performances all around, the film fails to do justice to its female cast with the meatiest scenes going to the male characters. It's black and white portrayal of the relationship between the artist and the critic is disappointing and eventually leads to a contrived resolution.
Boyhood
Boyhood is another cinematic experiment that has been a big draw at the awards season this year. The film shot over 12 years has been lauded for capturing the journey of a young boy (Ellar Coltrane) through childhood and adolescence, using time itself as an element of its storytelling. The film has wonderful moments that capture the confusion and conflicts experienced not just by Coltrane but the different characters around him in various points of their lives. Linklater and his actors deserve credit for capturing the transitions over the years seamlessly. But Boyhood remains just this, a series of wonderful moments that don't seem to add up to much. The blank spaces in the journey often come from the lack of arc for its supporting cast of Lorelier Linklater and Patricia Arquette, despite being a constant presence in Coltrane's life. Had it afforded the same growth to their characters as it did to Ethan Hawke, the film would have felt a more complete.
Boyhood's family centric story and it's directorial achievement will sit well with the Academy. The film debuted at Sundance last year. It won the Silver Bear for Linklater at the Berlin Film Festival. The film has also won a Critics Choice Award, a BAFTA and a Golden Globes for Best Drama.
Selma
Ava DuVernay's debut feature traces the life of Martin Luther King through the historic voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery. David Oyelwo and Carmen Ejogo deliver standout performances in this stirring drama. The film released at a time when incidents of racial violence had triggered and renewed a national conversation on race in America. Selma received critical acclaim for its portrayal of King's legacy.
The film however was mired in controversy for how it portrayed Lyndon B. Johnson which DuVernay having to defend her film, calling it a historical drama and not a documentary. Many feel that the controversy and late release, hurt the film's chances at the Oscars where it is nominated only in this category and Best Original Song. One would buy that argument if the same reasons had stopped American Sniper from nabbing six nominations.
American Sniper
Clint Eastwood's American Sniper is a box office hit and the highest grossing film in the best picture category. The film was a late entrant to the awards season but quickly gained ground collecting six nominations from the Academy. Bradley Cooper carries the film on his shoulders delivering his best performance yet. The film itself has been controversial for its black and white portrayal of war in Iraq and its myopic focus on the battlefield without providing much needed context to the war.
Clint Eastwood, an Academy favourite, has steadfastly maintained that the film is in fact an anti-war statement. The film's quiet gains in the Oscar race make it one to watch out for upsets in several categories including this one.
The Theory of Everything
The Theory of Everything is the perfect Oscar film— a biopic based on a genius and his triumph over the odds. Eddie Redmayne's standout performance as Stephen Hawking is the highlight of the film. Adapted from Jane Hawking's memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, The Theory of Everything centres itself around the relationship between Stephen and Jane Hawking but glosses over the tougher conflicts of their relationship. In its attempt to colour within the lines, the film falls flat failing to evoke much emotion despite attempts by the overpowering music to guide you through its emotional graph. The films best moments come in scenes between Redmayne and Jones where they grapple with their conflicting emotions and helplessness as they try to make their marriage work. Sadly such scenes are a handful and not enough to save the film.
The Imitation Game
The Imitation Game is another film that is tailor-made for the Oscars but unlike Theory manages to get it right. One would expect nothing less from Harvey Weinstein's stable. A crowd pleaser the film has the right balance of drama and pathos with steady performances to boot.
The film, however, drew flak for its "Honor the man. Honor the film" campaign during awards season that focused on Turing's sexuality and gay rights. The move was strongly criticised by many who felt that the film itself sidelined Turing's sexuality and didn't do justice to it.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a whimsical drama tinged with quirky, melancholic humour that is typical of Wes Anderson's films. Set in the fictional country 'Republic of Zubrowka, The Grand Budapest Hotel is the story of a hotel concierge out to prove his innocence after being framed for a client's murder. True to form, Anderson creates a marvellously detailed world that looks like a vintage storybook. The film features wonderful performances by an ensemble cast led by Ralph Fiennes.This may not be Anderson's best but if the Academy splits the vote and awards this one, it could finally give Anderson his long overdue Oscar.
This is Anderson's fourth Oscar nomination. He won the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival, The Golden Globes for Best Comedy as well as the Writers Guild Award for best original screenplay for this film.
Whiplash
Sundance favourite Whiplash made a surprise entry in this category mostly on the strength of JK Simmons' performance. JK Simmons has been sweeping award for his turn as the abusive and ruthless mentor, Terence Fletcher.
As the intimidating music teacher, Fletcher stops at nothing to get the best out of his student (Miles Teller). Simmons' intimidating performance paired with the film's slick editing keeps viewers on edge and make for an intense viewing experience. This also means that outside of these two factors the film doesn't really hold. Add to this the film's dubious morality, and it does not make for a serious contender in this race.
Our prediction: I would love for Selma to win this one but winds seem to blowing in Boyhood's direction. With Birdman possibly winning Best Director, the Academy would be remiss if it did not acknowledge Boyhood in a major category and this might just be the category that it chooses for this purpose.
Winner in 2014: 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen
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