Nominees: 3 Colors Blue, A Perfect World, Groundhog Day, The Age of Innocence, The Remains of the Day, The Scent of Green Papaya, Farewell My Concubine, The Last Bolshevik, Short Cuts, The Piano
Oscars pick: Schindler's List
Nominees: The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, The Remains of the Day
A first-rate season and –shock- Oscar and Felix agree 2 years running. To be honest, I didn't want to revisit Schindler's List, it was difficult viewing the first go round -- but I quickly discovered that while painful, a second viewing was vital in opening up new vistas. This is an unbelievably poignant and significant picture, and Spielberg showed incredible growth as a filmmaker.
The director took inspiration from the brutal Russian war film Come and See, which had a stylish bent, but not at the expense of the tragedy that unfolded on screen. What Steven delivers in this movie still carries his distinct visual style and heart (and sentimentality, at the end), but it comes with a maturity, honesty, and sobriety benefiting the subject. And enough praise can't be heaped on cinematographer Janusz Kamiñski for his part in the look and tone of the piece.
1995 was rock solid, from classic comedy (Groundhog Day) to dramatic gems from directorial aces like Clint Eastwood (A Perfect World) and Jane Campion (The Piano); Age of Innocence was Scorsese tapping successfully into Ophuls and Visconti territory. And Kieslowski's 3 Colors Blue is just as impressive an achievement as Schindler's. So impressive that an argument could be made that its brilliant, concise direction, and wise story about grief, is in some ways superior to the Oscar winner. But I can't see my way to not selected Schindler's List. It’s just too important a film.
The only odd thing for me is that in such a superb season, how did the Fugitive earn an Oscar nomination? While it is a decent little action/drama, I never saw it as anything near to great.
Honorable Mentions:
Daniel Day-Lewis, The Age of Innocence & In the Name of the Father * Liam Neeson, Schindler's List * David Thewlis, Naked * Bill Murray, Groundhog Day * Leslie Cheung, Farewell My Concubine * Tom Hanks, Philadelphia * Zbigniew Zamachowski, Three Colors: White
Best Actress: Juliette Binoche, Three Colors: Blue
Honorable Mentions:
Man San Lu, The Scent of Green Papaya * Holly Hunter, The Piano * Emma Thompson, The Remains of the Day * Michelle Pfeiffer, The Age of Innocence * Gong Li, Farewell My Concubine * Debra Winger, Shadowlands * Angela Bassett, What's Love Got to Do with It?
Honorable Mentions:
Man San Lu, The Scent of Green Papaya * Holly Hunter, The Piano * Emma Thompson, The Remains of the Day * Michelle Pfeiffer, The Age of Innocence * Gong Li, Farewell My Concubine * Debra Winger, Shadowlands * Angela Bassett, What's Love Got to Do with It?
Supporting Actor: Ralph Fiennes, Schindler’s List
