For Your Reconsideration: Oscar Snubs 2011
With 120 nominations handed out this year, it was bound to happen. The Oscar Snubs of the year included some career breaking moves that were far too easily pushed aside - including some who have had the feeling of the forgotten prior to this year. Noticeably absent from the get-go? Christopher Nolan, who has been passed on for his work two years ago for “The Dark Knight,” is now seeing the same for his high-grossing and critically acclaimed “Inception.” Where it sits on top of the list of best picture contenders, now with a high number of 10 nominations, it also received eight other nominations. Where it may reap the benefits on editing and visual effects, it may actually be the underdog when sitting next to fan and critic favorite, “The Social Network.”
Other noticeably absent contenders? Mark Warhlberg for “The Fighter”, Julianne Moore for “The Kids Are All RIght,” Mila Kunis for “Black Swan”, Ryan Gosling for “Blue Valentine”, Andrew Garfield for “The Social Network,” and Dianne Warren for Best Original Song in “Burlesque.”
For the Academy’s reconsideration, here are some of the following buzzworthy contenders of the year that did not make the cut:
- Barbara Hershey (Black Swan): Recalling performances that could match both Piper Laurie in ‘Carrie’ and a Grimms Fairytale stepmother, Hershey’s role as Nina Sayers’ overbearing mother has been pushed aside by both the Hollywood Foreign Press and the Academy. Having seen ‘Black Swan’ several times at this point, both she and Natalie Portman were the only two of the cast I felt were nomination worthy. Her reassuring smile when she delivers Nina’s celebratory cake filled with carbs, calories and sickeningly sweet candy roses is haunting and terrifying. Overlooked and undercooked, this is a role that I would feel deserves a spot for Supporting Actress and was thoroughly surprised when she didn’t receive a nod.
- Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (Documentary Feature) : Understated look at one of comedy’s biggest geniuses. It’s really unfortunate that she didn’t even get credit for a Golden Globe, considering the critical praise this received. I highly recommend it, especially given the fact it will surprise you at how human and relatable she is.
- Waiting For Superman (Documentary Feature): A friend of mine worked on this film and I’ve heard nothing but praise since day one. Educators and film aficionados alike were gunning this to win for Best Documentary Feature, to no avail. With Oprah pushing this film, I’m sure it was just straight up financial backing and Hollywood politics that may have made this sucker unnoticed.
- Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine): His struggle with his refusal to accept and embrace change, should have garnered Gosling a sure-fire nomination. With oversensitivity and strong desire to hold together a failing marriage, it’s very unclear how he was left out of this year’s nominations considering the critical praise he has been receiving for such a swift turn in his career. For any of you who have yet to see, possibly, the most depressing film of the year, please rush to theaters. It’s dry, it’s honest and it’s an unbelievably gut-wrenching, non-linear, look into a once strong relationship can easily crumble with both lack of effort and lack of communication.
- Halle Berry (Frankie & Alice): Berry’s colorful personality shifts and beautiful performance as a 70’s go-go girl with multi-personality disorder earned her a Golden Globe nomination but mixed reviews for the overall film definitely faltered this from gaining her a nomination.
- Black Swan (Costume Design): Without Rodarte designers, Amy Westcott, Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy, the character development and confidence gained by Nina Sayers’ would have easily looked a bit different. The drama, the glamour and, most importantly, the relation to both character and story-line has been the most talked about fashion design of the year. There has also been a little scandal having Amy Westcott being the only one receiving credit for BAFTA recognition, leaving Rodarte designers, the Mulleavys, aside.
- I Am Love (Foreign Language Film): Delectable and luscious in all the right ways, this Tilda Swinton driven film is all about indulgence. The ensemble is strong, the scenes between Tilda’s character, Emma, and her son’s friend and colleague, Antonio, are supple and a brilliant look at how a connection can be formed through fine dining. As soon as she tastes his food, she falls instantly for the creator. Watching her unravel, like you have never seen her do on film before, is a pleasure.
- Dianne Warren (Burlesque): Critically panned, and expected to do so, it’s no surprise that it wasn’t recognized in all the major categories. Say what you want, but the fact that Dianne Warren wasn’t noticed for penning most of the songs in the film is beyond me. Catchy, glitzy and filled with just the right amount of cheese - the performance on the Oscars would have been just the right amount of fun the evening has needed since Dreamgirls had a nomination.
- The Town (Best Picture): Tense, well-executed and filled with grippingly good performances from Jeremy Renner, Ben Affleck and Rebecca Hall it should have had a spot in the 10 films of the year replacing either True Grit or Winter’s Bone; the latter only has been recognized for Jennifer Lawrence’s leading actress role.
- Bryce Dallas Howard (Hereafter): As a deeply tormented and captivating love interest to Matt Damon’s psychic, has been receiving praise from critics all around but hasn’t been recognized for the role. Sometimes rooting for the underdog won’t get those votes in.
To see a full list of the 83rd Annual Oscar Nominees click here.
