The
Academy award nominations are out. In a long time, maybe after 2005, the fight
for Oscars will be a closely contested one. Not since the year when Million
Dollar Baby, which was pitted against The Aviator, Ray, Finding Neverland, Ray,
Sideways, won the Oscars, the clutch of nominations have been so rich.
Just
like 2005, this year too, films with a strong emotional core have made it to
the shortlist. These films may be set in various times and countires, but, they
all have one thing in common. All the movies revolve around simple, believable
and relatable human emotions.
In
this post (which is the first in the 2 part series) , I shall write about Midnight
in Paris , The descendents, The Help , The ides of March, and Moneyball.
Midnight
in Paris –
This
surprise selection is my favorite of the lot. This romantic comedy is set in
Paris and is about a family that goes there because of business, and two
young people who are engaged to be married in the fall have experiences that
change their lives. It’s about a young man’s great love for a city, Paris and
the illusion that people have that a life different from theirs would be much
better.
Certainly
there‘s no better place on earth that Woody Allen could have chosen for his new
romantic comedy than Paris. The past endures and shines brightly in Paris,
which makes it well- suited for a story of a man reinvigorating his feelings
and finding inspiration to reflect on his life.
While
there are always dark themes underneath all of Woody Allen‘s comedies, the tone
of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is more upbeat. The movie is hopeful in that Gil comes to
that conclusion that it‘s better not to delude yourself—even though it‘s more
pleasant and less painful, it‘s still better not to.
As
is typical for a Woody Allen film, a group of superlative actors fill out the
supporting cast. The film‘s locations include some of Paris‘s most cherished
sites, including: the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore, the grounds and Hall of
Mirrors at Versailles, Monet‘s Gardens at Giverny, Musée Rodin, Musée des Arts
Forains, Marché Paul Bert (flea market), Rue Montagne St. Genevieve (where Gil
goes at midnight).
The
descendents –
Having
won the Golden Globe award for the best picture, this is a front runner in the
Oscar race. This is not a movie that is easily defined.
This
movie celebrates the flaws and imperfections of human beings. Alexander Payne
directs George Clooney and a bunch of others in this delightful family movie
which takes you on a ride.
I chose to use the word ride, because, Matt King
(Played by Clooney) goes through great turmoil, dealing with the sudden
situation he is not prepared to handle. When his wife meets with an
accident, he is suddenly required to take care of his 2 daughters apart from
handling the issue of selling off his ancestral property. This story is about
the coming –together and the falling-in –love story of the dysfunctional
family.
Payne
sets his story with a simple premise in Hawaii. The city lends the movie a
beautiful character. Complemented by some breezy performances by Clooney and
the rest of the cast and equally breezy soundtrack, Payne deftly handles
a protagonist who is put in a dilemma with monumental tasks to handle.
Not
the finest, but certainly one of the best of 2011.
The
Help –
As
far as performances go, this is the best I have seen this year. Set in 1960s,
this movie tracks the stories of black women who served as maids / helps to
white women. This is an incredible film that not only pays justice to the
bestseller on which it's based (according to those who have read the book AND
seen the film), but is phenomenally cast. Without any major star, this movie
manages to stand –out on the sheer strength of the performances by it’s leading
ladies.
This
movie delves deep into the lives of maids who give up their lives in order to
raise white kids who grow up to become like their uppity mothers. This thoroughly
nuanced and detailed movie is both heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same
time. While the basic premise may sound very simple, the story unwinds leisurely
and addresses issues like domestic violence,
race discrimination, education and love.
The
costumes, homes, settings, accents give
you a very 1960’s feel.
Ides
of March –
How
does George Clooney get it right all the time? Is there a higher hand, a divine
intervention that helps him choose these scripts? I’m sure there is.
This
is the story of a young hot-shot election campaigner who is sucked into the
vortex of politics. Ryan Gosling, who impressed the critics earlier this year
with a silent but powerful performance in Drive, goes on to show why is he
billed a the next big-thing in Hollywood. George Clooney gives plenty of
screen-time to his younger co-star, while he helps himself to a very
under-stated role himself. He looks every bit the senator , running for the
post of the “most powerful man in the world”.
As
if these two were not enough, there is Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Gamiati who light up the screen. Watch it to get a
ringside view of what unfolds behind the screens during a Presidential election
campaign, what do people do to make the President-elect look good in front of
people. Clooney treats the film like a pseudo – thriller and throws in some
smart dialogues which escalate the film to a different level.
Little
known fact – Leo Di Caprio was suppose to play Goslings character, but ended up
producing the movie.
Moneyball -
Brad
Pitt and Oscars? Now, I have seen it all. Well, it is a sports film (something
that the Academy jury loves) with eye-candy Brad Pitt as the lead star.
On
a serious note, this is one of the finest sports films in the recent years. I
do not know a thing about Baseball, but I thought this is a beautifully crafted
film and it is a wonderful representative of the game.
Based
on a true story, Moneyball is a movie for anybody who has ever dreamed of
taking on the system. The premise is the real story of how, with an extremely
small budget for a professional sports team, he managed to win a surprising
number of games, including setting an all-time major league record of 20
consecutive wins. Pitt is the top of his game. As an everyman—or at
least one that isn't played up as wealthy, a man struggling to keep his
job—frustration is clearly seen in Pitt's face. Pitt brings humanity to the
ominous job of a general manager.
Writer
Aaron Sorkin knows how to write, and as evidenced by "The Social
Network" (2010), he also knows how to turn computer-programming into
riveting cinema. We find humor in the least-expected of places, we find heart
in the least-expected of people, and 'Moneyball" gives us a completely
enjoyable movie that becomes so much more than numbers.
All
these films talk about the triumph of human emotions and take us through a
joyful ride.
Yet
to see the rest of the movies that have been nominated. Cannot wait to
experience the rest of the movies.
Long
live, show business.
