By Jan Wahl–
The 93rd Academy Awards honor films released between January 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021. During that time, many of us didn’t go out to the movies due to massive theatre closures and postponed distribution. As isolating as COVID-19 has been, I am particularly grateful to wonderful series on the internet, including Hollywood, Bridgerton, The Kominsky Method, The Great, and others. Many of us were lucky enough to catch Da 5 Bloods, News of the World, and The Truffle Hunters on other platforms, since the Oscars left these fine films behind. But more on that to come.
This year, Mank leads the Oscar nominations in ten categories. Judas and the Black Messiah became the first feature with all Black producers up for Best Picture. Two women directors, Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell, are nominated in the same year. Steven Yeun became the first Asian-American leading actor nominated, and Riz Ahmed the first Muslim.
The Oscars matter. Why? It’s a chance for the public to see or hear about work that has been overlooked or under-distributed. It keeps filmmakers themselves shooting for the moon, not just big box office.
I vote in the Directors Guild of America and at least three national and local critic organizations. Full disclosure: I am voting for Nomadland and The Trial of the Chicago 7 everywhere possible. I’m going for Youn Yoh-Jung in the delightful Minari; she is an actress who stole every frame she was in. I would also love to see Glenn Close win; it is her eighth nomination and I will happily pretend it’s for Albert Nobbs! Very few saw that one, but she was nominated for Best Actress, as was the superb Janet McTeer for Best Supporting Actress … check it out!
Classic Hollywood is my life, so I couldn’t wait to see Mank, the story of the writing of Citizen Kane. If the filmmakers had stayed with that fascinating backstory, it could’ve been a remarkable movie. Unfortunately, it veered off into subplots that took away from the making of a classic. Though I was disappointed, it was a beautiful film to look at and still appreciate. It would be satisfying to see it take home the gold for production design and cinematography.
One Night in Miami should receive the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and Leslie Odom, Jr., as Sam Cooke merits Best Supporting Actor.
Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7), and Regina King (One Night in Miami) for directors were overlooked. But at least people are talking about it! Tom Hanks was powerful simplicity in News of the World, and Del Roy Lindo was unforgettable in Da 5 Bloods.
The documentary on Stacey Abrams, All In: The Fight for Democracy, deserved an Oscar nomination. Every year the nominations leave many of us angry about the shut outs. Even the should-have-wons leave me seething years later (Judy Garland, Gloria Swanson, Sweet Smell of Success or A Face in the Crowd, anyone?).
It’s still the Oscars, which still carries prestige, profit, glamour, history, and fun. The following winners’ acceptance quotes are a few examples of the latter, with some honest emotion thrown in:
“You’re only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life?”
Christopher Plummer, Beginners, 2010.
“I’m just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream.” Hillary Swank, Million Dollar Baby, 2004.
“The only regret: I wish I drank and smoked.” Grace Kelly, The Country Girl, 1955.
“I’d like to thank one of the founding members of the Academy, Mary Pickford. She was the first actor to get a percentage of her pictures.” Jack Nicholson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, 1976.
The same year as this with Jack was one of my all-time favorite moments, Louise Fletcher (Best Actress, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) accepting her award and thanking her deaf parents in sign language.
Well, it’s time for another Oscars. Next year, there will be even greater universal excitement since more of us will have gone to the big screen. Cinema Paradiso is what I always look forward to. In the meantime, let’s enjoy and appreciate what we have.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian, film critic on various broadcast outlets, and has her own YouTube channel series, “Jan Wahl Showbiz.” She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Published on April 22, 2021
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