As Academy members start logging into their AMPAS accounts to vote for the ninety fifth Oscars, allow us to mirror on the shattered desires of a number of contenders after “Everything Everywhere All At Once” dominated the guild honors final weekend. The Daniels‘ indie breakthrough, which already won the DGA Award earlier in the month, took the top award at the PGA Awards and won a staggering four trophies at the SAG Awards. Despite “All Quiet on the Western Front” winning the BAFTA Award the weekend prior, the Best Picture race is effectively over. And, notably, A24 will land its second Best Picture win in less than 13 years of existence joining only Orion Pictures and The Weinstein Company in doing so. But, despite 11 Oscar nominations, “Everything Everywhere” won’t win…look forward to it…every thing.
READ MORE: “Everything” we discovered from the 2023 SAG Awards
There are actually a variety of different classes locked up or near being so earlier than attendees stroll their manner into the Dolby Theater. At a minimal, “All Quiet” ought to win International Film and Cinematography. “Navalny” will squeak by the extra worthy “All The Beauty and the Bloodshed” for Documentary. “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” will take the Animated Feature prize and “Everything’s” Key Huy Quan is a given within the Supporting Actor race. Moreover, at this level, it could be a significant upset if Michelle Yeoh didn’t win Best Actress, though you must by no means depend out an Olivia Colman-esque upset with Cate Blanchett ready within the wings (though the important thing distinction on this situation is “Everything” is perceived as a a lot higher film than Glenn Close’ “The Wife” was).
And classes equivalent to Make-Up and Hairstyling (“The Whale” vs. “Elvis”), Production Design (“All Quiet on the Western Front” vs. “Elvis” vs. “Bablyon”), and Sound (“Top Gun: Maverick” vs. “All Quiet on the Western Front”) are nowhere close to as locked as “Avatar: The Way of Water” is for Visual Effects (they need to simply ship them the statue right this moment).
So, as members double-check their ballots, message a buddy over which quick classes to vote for, and start the annual hunt for a viewing get together within the Hollywood Hills, let’s have a look at 5 classes the place there’s nonetheless some real drama left.
BEST ACTOR: Austin Butler vs. Brendan Fraser
We’re nonetheless smarting that Colin Farrell seems to have light from rivalry, however at this level, it comes all the way down to a showdown between the BAFTA and the SAG Award winner. One has the extra transformative position (Butler) whereas the opposite is a comeback story that often performs together with his appearing friends (Fraser). SAG predicts this class most of the time, however “Elvis” is completely extra cherished by The Academy general with 8 nominations to simply 2 for “The Whale.” And we should regularly remind the room that the latter couldn’t land an Adapted Screenplay nom in a traditionally weak 12 months for that individual class. We’re leaning towards Butler, but it surely’s nonetheless an excellent shut race at this level.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kerry Condon vs. Jamie Lee Curtis vs. Angela Bassett
Perhaps the largest shock on the SAG Awards was Jamie Lee Curtis taking the Supporting Actress crown. The Hollywood veteran surpassed her personal co-star, Stephanie Hsu, BAFTA winner Condon, and fan favourite Bassett for the trophy. Curtis might be the outlier for “Everything” wins at this level, nevertheless. She’s a beloved trade determine who’s genuinely all the way down to earth and a loving cheerleader not just for her personal initiatives however everybody else’s. That labored for SAG, however we’re undecided it’s gonna work for a extra International voting block equivalent to AMPAS. We assume Condon will give “Banshees” a win right here, however Bassett might completely make a perceived “comeback” and “do the thing” as properly. Will be curious to see if Oscar producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner push this class to afterward throughout the telecast to create extra drama for viewers at house.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: “Everything Everywhere All At Once” vs. The Field
Historically and most lately, the Best Picture winner additionally secures a screenplay honor and an appearing honor earlier than the ultimate envelope is opened on the finish of the night time. In idea, which means “Everything Everywhere” is a given for Original Screenplay. This 12 months, we’re not so certain. Especially because it’s a movie that is considered a directing achievement at the start. Plus, the opposite 4 nominees are additionally fairly spectacular. Martin McDonaugh already took the BAFTA on this class for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Ruben Östlund gained the European Film Award for “Triangle of Sadness” and Todd Field’s “TAR” has real assist in The Academy. We suspect one other perceived upset is brewing that gained’t have an effect on “Everything Everywhere” taking the Best Picture prize.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: “All Quiet on the Western Front” vs. “Women Talking”
With 9 nominations, a BAFTA win and no less than a assured International Film win on Oscar night time, it could be straightforward to imagine “All Quiet” is a lock to snag an aforementioned weak Adapted Screenplay class. Well, not so quick. Call it intestine, name it members verbalizing their selections, however Sarah Polley remains to be within the combine for “Women Talking.” Is it a mirage? Is it sufficient to beat a powerful part 2 marketing campaign for “All Quiet”? We’ll see.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: “Naatu Naatu” vs. “Lift Me Up” vs. “Hold My Hand”
Every 12 months there’s one class that makes you wish to pull your hair out it doesn’t matter what AMPAS members let you know. Usually, it’s a brief class or Documentary Feature. In 2023, Best Original Song is as near a choose ’em as you’re going to get. For essentially the most half, the media and hardcore film followers assume “Naatu Naatu” is the winner, however many don’t appear to grasp how few AMPAS members have truly seen “RRR.” “Lift Me Up” is statistically the largest hit of the bunch (213 million streams on Spotify alone), however Rihanna’s solely contribution to its marketing campaign will probably be acting on the Oscars telecast (though her Super Bowl efficiency would possibly give her a sentimental push). Then there’s “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick.” Lady Gaga sang the music because the closing quantity for her 2022 tour however has been considerably quiet after what was perceived by some as over-campaigning for “House of Gucci” final 12 months. And surprisingly, at publication, she is the one one of many 5 nominated songs to not be confirmed as performing on the ceremony. That being stated, the trade has tons of affection for “Top Gun: Maverick” and out of doors of Sound (the place it might simply lose) this can be the one class members can reward it. Needless to say, a variety of Oscar poll contests are going to activate this award.
The ninety fifth Academy Awards will probably be handed out on Sunday, March 12 at 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET on ABC.