The 86th Academy Awards is almost here! This year we get to see nine films competing for best picture. From a sci-fi thriller in space to a sci-fi romance on earth, from an old man in pursuit of his million dollars to an old woman in pursuit of her long lost son, from a free-man kidnapped into slavery to a captain kidnapped for ransom and from a stockbroker addicted to drugs to a AIDS patient selling drugs. In one of the largest undertaking I have done on this blog, I would like to give my personal opinion of each of the 9 nominees. In alpha-numerical order here is my review:
12 Years A Slave
One word to describe this film: Heart-Rending. Set in the 1840s, 12 Years a Slave speaks of a true story of a free man, Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery where he spends the next 12 years trying to survive in the hope of freeing himself. There are many intense and heart-wrenching scenes in this film and one would sometimes sink into disbelief that such cruelty existed in the past. However, stories of American slavery is not new in film and is considered a safe and conventional route to an award-winning film. Nonetheless, it is still beautifully directed with countless emotional scenes that leaves your soul in pieces.
What is worthy of acclaim in this film is the fact that everyone played their role perfectly well. Chiwetel Ejiofor was great as Solomon but my praise goes mostly to Michael Fassbender for playing the merciless and cruel master, Epps, as well as to Lupita Nyong'o for playing the tragically pitiful slave, Patsey. There was an intense 5 minute continuous scene of Patsey being whipped by Epps as punishment which really left me in tears. In all, 12 years a Slave is a beautifully directed tragedy that is worthy of an Academy Award nomination.
American Hustle
American Hustle, to me, is a film that requires a little bit more attention when watching because of its convoluted storyline and complex scamming schemes. Even I am not certain of what exactly is going on in the film to give a proper synopsis that will do the film justice. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable film with numerous twists and scams where you least expect it.
What is remarkable about this film is how talented the cast is. Everyone is the film was able to pull off their character very well. Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence are all nominated for an Academy Award for their performances in the film and I sincerely think they deserve it if they had won.
Captain Phillips
Captain Phillips was intense from the start till the very end. A adrenaline-pumping thriller that is as gripping as it is moving, I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Captain Phillips is based on a true story of the Maersk Alabama Hijacking in 2009, where a group if armed Somali pirates hijack a cargo ship commanded by Captain Richard Phillips off the coast of Somalia, eventually taking the captain hostage on a lifeboat heading back to mainland. Captain Phillips is brilliantly showcased in a way that you also feel pity for these Somali pirates who were initially fishermen but were forced into piracy due to conflict and corruption in their country.
Tom Hanks is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors there is and it is evident is this film as he plays a smart, and professional captain who is able to keep himself under control as such frightening conditions. My favourite performance of Tom Hanks in this film is at the end when he was able to portray Captain Phillips in a traumatic and disoriented state. Barkhad Abdi who played the lead pirate, Muse, also did an incredible job considering it being his breakout performance.
Dallas Buyers Club
Dallas Buyers Club is the story of Ron Woodroof, played by Matthew McConaughey, a rodeo cowboy with a carefree lifestyle. He was blindsided with a HIV-positive diagnosis and is given 30 days to live. Unwilling to end his life so soon he desperately finds means to treat himself, eventually travelling to Mexico due to the lack of approved medication in the US and began smuggling drugs in. He later found an unlikely ally in a transsexual AIDS patient, Rayon, played by Jared Leto, and they started a "buyers club" where AIDS patience pay monthly dues for access to drugs he smuggles from Mexico.
Dallas Buyers Club is an emotional journey of survival, dignity and acceptance. It is inspiring to see the characters' determination and fighting spirit in light of their predicament and the fact that they would do anything to live. Matthew McCounaughey and Jared Leto have been nominated for an Academy Award each. I especially admire Jared Leto efforts in bringing such a unique character like Rayon to life.
Gravity
To say that Gravity is merely intense is a huge understatement. Gravity, despite being completely fictional, felt almost too real and the ordeal faced by Dr. Ryan Stone, played by Sandra Bullock, was so harrowing you can't help but share her fear and terror. Gravity's synopsis is a fairly simple one, Dr, Ryan Stone and astronaut Matt Kowalsky, played by George Clooney, are left stranded in space during a spacewalk when their shuttle was destroyed by orbiting debris. With precious oxygen running out, they must find a way back to Earth or be left to die in space.
Gravity boast one of the most stunning visuals I have seen to date and it amazes me how they managed to make the Earth look so life-like with all the little details put into it. Its amazing cinematography showed us how space can be both so beautiful and so dangerous at the same time. It is also splendidly directed, with director Alfonso Cuaron allowing us to experience the fear of spiralling out into space through the perspective of Dr. Stone. I also applaud the film makers for making the film as scientifically accurate as possible in order to boost its realism and believability. One downside to this film would be the lack of story behind the two main characters which could have helped us connect with them on a greater level.
Sandra Bullock is truly the star of the show. Despite everything being CGI and unreal, her performance made us so convinced it is filmed in outer space (acknowledgements to the director as well). There is little dialogue in this film, and Bullock spent half of the film talking to herself but her solo performance has nothing but wowed me with how incredibly real she could be. I really hope she wins an Oscar for her performance.
Her
Her is a beautifully crafted film about a very unconventional relationship. The story speaks of Theodore Twombly, played by Joaquin Phoenix, a quiet melancholic man who for a living crafts love letters for lovers who are unable to express their emotions to each other. He happens to be going through a divorce and in his loneliness buys an OS, Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Programmed to be the perfect companion for its user, Samantha quickly evolves with increasing interaction with Theodore and began developing human characteristics. Both of them eventually fell in love with each other and the film then explores this unique relationship
What I love about this film is how relatable the relationship is despite the fact it being between a man and an operating system. This films really relates to us as we always have this longing for a lasting companionship which seems almost perfect despite all the limitations and boundaries that exist. When Theodore and Samantha fell for each other, you cannot help but want to root for them to be together forever, regardless of how absurd the notion of the relationship is.
None of the actors have been nominated for an Academy Award but nonetheless they are all worth mentioning. Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams were great in roles. However, I really love Scarlett Johansson's performance and her ability to bring a faceless character to life. In all, this film is really worthy of the nomination it received.
Nebraska
Nebraska is best described as a slow nostalgic family drama. It is sweet, full of heart and it makes you feel like an old person (in a good way). Shot in black and white to portray a sense of longing for the past, the film tells a story of Woody Grant, played by Bruce Dern, a cantankerous elderly father, who thought he won a million dollars after receiving a sweepstakes letter. He wrangles his son, David, played by Will Forte, into driving him to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect the prize. Along the way, David learns more about his father and his past and help his father rekindle the happiness and pride which he had lost.
I have to admit, I was not very comfortable with the film's slow pace at first but the film slowly grows on me and I loved every interaction between the father and son. It makes you reflect on your own family relationship. There is also something very comical about elderly people that makes them very amusing on screen. Bruce Dern did an amazing job portraying a lethargic yet ill-tempered elderly man but my favourite performance would be that of June Squibb who plays Woody's naggy wife, Kate. Kate is very vocal yet sweet at the same time and her conversations with her sons and husband made me chuckle. Both actors truly deserved their nominations for the Academy Awards.
Philomena
Philomena is one of the few films that made me tear up quite a bit. It is heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time and you keep wanting to know how everything plays out in the end. The film tells a story of a journalist, Martin Sixsmith, played by Steve Coogan, who decides to do a human-interest article about Philomena Lee, played by Judy Dench, a mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock and given away for adoption in the United States. Philomena kept the story a secret for 50 years but eventually decides to pursue the investigation. Together, they embark on an amazing journey to find her long-lost son.
First and foremost, I have to praise Judi Dench's remarkable performance in the film. I absolutely love Philomena as a character as she is kind, positive and forgiving despite all the things that have happened in her past. I love how she gets so emotional and happy with every single fact she learns about her son, and I cannot wait to see her reuniting with her son. The story is a very touching one and it is hard to believe it is actually based on a real person. I really love this film and a part of me really hopes that it wins the Academy Award.
The Wolf of Wall Street
The Wolf of Wall Street has to be one of the most entertaining comedy-drama film I have watched recently. The film is almost three-hours long but the plot kept me going like a drug. It is a story of a New York stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who went from righteousness to a life of corruption and greed fuelled by too much success.
There is no high point in the film because every single part felt like it. What is interesting about this film is that you want to root for Belfort to be rich and successful but at the same time root for him to get caught and suffer the consequences of his action. Leonardo DiCaprio is spectacular in this film, he managed to portray the many characteristics of Belfort so well, from being comical to being serious and to being a down-right mess. DiCaprio has never won an Oscar and its about time he receives one for such a brilliant and real performance.
The Wolf of Wall Street is indeed entertaining but it lacks the emotional depth the other films in this category are able to portray.
My Pick:
Best Picture - Gravity
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
