Nominees: Pretty Village, Pretty Flame, Fargo, Secrets and Lies, La Promesse, Emma, Sling Blade, The English Patient, Gabbeh
Oscars pick: The English Patient
Nominees: Fargo, Jerry Maguire, Secrets & Lies, Shine
I've always enjoyed movies about making movies. Whether it's a love letter, an expose, or a means to work out a block (see Fellini) or, as in the case with Mohsen Makhmalbaf's A Moment of Innocence, an opportunity to come to terms with the past. The story is based on a true event, where, as a teenager, Makmahlbaf stabbed a policeman at a protest rally. Years later he seeks redemption and (along with the policeman), closure, by capturing the act on film. What neither expected was this Rashomon-like journey, where reality is in the eyes and minds of the beholder. We see two sides of the coin, two perspectives on what happened and why. Along with two others - the actors portraying the filmmaker and the former cop, who inject their own personalities into the tale and resist seeing history repeat itself - which culminates in one of cinema's most memorable final freeze-frames.
While the story is simple, there's a wellspring of poignancy and idea, drawing from human connections and introspection, kindness and forgiveness. And though wise and based on a serious, terrible deed, it's not morose. There are several laugh-out-loud situations. Such as the cop wanting the handsome boy to play him in the movie. Scene after scene, Moment proves itself a significant and special film experience.
In respect to Oscar's pick? Though Fargo was my choice among the Acadamy's nominations, in hindsight, knowing that the Coen's will eventually receive an award, I’m glad Anthony Minghella (who died too soon) got to have his Oscar triumph. He was truly a talented director and his textured work on the English Patient shouldn’t be dismissed. Whether one enjoys the movie is up to individual taste, but while I thought it was overlong, I also found it well told and moving. And hell I was just happy that idiotic pile, Jerry Maguire didn't win
Along with a great cast of characters (who dominate my acting awards), it displays expert visual and narrative construction (Ethan's Oscar-winning script ranks among the finest ever written). I think of it as the photo negative of Blood Simple. Simple is dark, drenched in shadow and practically humorless, Fargo is bright, covered in snow and funny. In both we watch a criminal plan unravel, in both, we get some painfully black moments.
Other nominations: Sling Blade is flawed, but I liked the relationship between the lead characters and Billy Bob's performance. Emma continues the Jane Austen flood from 95, Gwyneth Paltrow was delightful in the title role, one of her best (though ignored by Oscar).
Honorable Mentions:
Philippe Torreton, Captain Conan * Billy Bob Thornton. Sling Blade * Geoffrey Rush & Noah Taylor, Shine * Owen & Luke Wilson, Bottle Rocket * Ewan McGregor, Trainspotting * Dragan Bjelogrlić & Nikola Kojo, Pretty Village, Pretty Flame * Max Von Sydow, Hamsun
Supporting Actors: Peter Stormare & Steve Buscemi, Fargo
Honorable Mentions:
Brenda Blethyn, Secrets & Lies * Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma * Emily Watson, Breaking the Waves * Ana Torrent, Thesis * Kate Winslet, Jude * Laura Dern, Citizen Ruth * Catherine Keener, Walking and Talking * Ghita Nørby, Hamsun
Supporting Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Secrets & Lies (pictured left)
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