With the annual Academy Awards ceremony just around the corner, speculation and excitement are growing about which film will take home the coveted Best Picture award. As we await the announcement, a recent survey conducted by The Hollywood Reporter, revealed the opinions of some anonymous Oscar voters on the nominees.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic creating a tumultuous year for the film industry, this year’s Best Picture contenders are a varied and diverse selection of films. Here is what one anonymous voter had to say about each one:
1. Judas and the Black Messiah
The Anonymous voter believes that Judas and the Black Messiah is a “powerful movie” due to its “incredibly nuanced portrayal of the Black Panther party and the government’s efforts to dismantle it.” The voter lauds the performances of leads Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield and their ability to bring the complexity and real-life story of Chairman Fred Hampton and William O’Neal to life. The voter concludes that this film is a crucial part of today’s social conversations, saying, “these themes are still relevant because the struggle is still on.”
2. Mank
Mank is an ode to the origins of Hollywood and is a story about the making of Citizen Kane. According to the anonymous voter, the film is “utterly brilliant, from its script to the cinematography.” However, the voter criticized the film for its disjointed and unclear storyline, maintaining that it is not for everyone, and “may not resonate with younger audiences.”
3. Minari
This bittersweet family drama has received universal acclaim and has won numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The anonymous voter commends the film’s portrayal of the Korean-American immigrant experience in Arkansas in the 1980s. The voter appreciates the film’s ability to move viewers by focusing on family, saying, “the heart of the movie is simply the love and sacrifices made within it.”
4. Nomadland
Nomadland is a deeply reflective film that highlights the lives of Americans who live on the road in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Despite its heavy themes, the anonymous voter says that the film is “so artfully crafted and so inspiring,” praising both director Chloe Zhao’s vision and Frances McDormand’s performance. The voter calls it “a film everyone must see.”
5. Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman is a thriller that explores the trauma and impact of sexual assault on women. The anonymous voter believes that the movie is “timely and disturbingly accurate” in the portrayal of the issue. The voter commends the entire cast for their roles but singles out Carey Mulligan’s performance as “supremely nuanced and powerful.”
6. Sound of Metal
Sound of Metal is the story of a drummer who loses his hearing and how he copes with this loss. The anonymous voter praises the performances of lead actor Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke, calling it a “thought-provoking performance with an incredibly unique perspective.” The voter adds, “it’s an experience that will linger long after you watch it.”
7. The Father
The Father is a unique story about an elderly man suffering from dementia and the challenges it poses for his family. The voter describes the performances of Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, and the rest of the cast as “mind-blowing.” The voter adds that the film will hit home for those who have experienced dementia in their families, noting that the story is “heartbreakingly real and familiar.”
In conclusion, the anonymous Oscar voter who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter praised all of the nominees for their unique perspectives and storytelling abilities. It is further evident that the Academy Award voters this year will have a tough decision during the voting process. The varied perspectives and styles of each film make them all worthy competitors for the coveted Best Picture award – but in the end, only one can take home the accolade.