She predicted many older Oscar voters would be alienated by the violence.
Several other veteran Academy members expressed similar reservations.
That movie was even more gruesome although it was a spoof while12 Yearsstrives for authenticity.
Lewis Jacobs/NBC
Admirers have compared it toSchindlers List another agonizing portrayal of human suffering, whichdefinitelyearned the love of the Academy.
If the Academy does turn away from12 Years, the group would risk not just hypocrisy but irrelevance.
And, boy, does it everscream…
Meryl Streep?
Lewis Jacobs/NBC
Tony- and Pulitzer-winning play?
Distribution by awards powerhouse The Weinstein Co.?
This adaptation directed by John Wells (The Company Men) came with built-in consideration at Toronto.
People expected Academy Awards potential from this drama about a bitter, chaotic Oklahoma family.
But the first screenings at the festival delivered mostly uncertain responses.
This was one of those Emperors New Clothes moments.
Frank Connor
An avalanche of relieved exasperation from the others would follow.
Thats how it was after the press & industry screening I attended.
Where did the movie go astray?
- Jaap Buitendijk
The Motion Picture.
The Weinstein Co. doesnt give up, so I wouldnt count out some kind of comeback.
Lowered expectations might actually be a plus when the film starts screening for voters at large.
Like its characters,August: Osage Countycould benefit from everyone sitting down and taking a breath.
McConaughey has Best Actor potential, and Leto has an equally good shot for Best Supporting Actor.
Both are divorced, both are lonely, but neither is sure about the other.
Does he have a shot at comedy/musical actor?
Or maybe supporting actor?
The HFPA member shrugged.
Well … he cant come to the show.
Just a little reminder that rewarding great performances often comes second to studding the Globes TV broadcast with stars.
Reaction to this true-life drama about the creation of Wikileaks was mixed at best.
But most agreed Cumberbatch was mesmerizing.
(His own Oscar chances rest on the more colorful performance he delivers inRush.)
Instead, the real life news reports may have upstaged it.
Its still too soon to make a call like that.
But the one repeated response I kept hearing at Toronto was: How did they do that?
Count Bullock among the Best Actress contenders.
The father and sons script …?
This is one field wereGravitymay have an uphill climb.
It will also be interesting to see howGravityfares in the Sound Editing category.
Is the Academy willing to reward the absence of sound?
Id argue voters should remember the category is called sound editing not sound creation.
Sometimes, its about what you leave out.
Part of the tragedy of this film is the way the characters delude themselves into believing in fairy-tale endings.
It has male admirers too (likeVarietyeditor Tim Gray), but the split is striking and undeniable.
Thats whyMandelathe film so confounding.
The movie is good, but voters werent willing to go much further with their praise.
(Some were less kind, calling it dull.)
It might have made a much more stirring three-movie miniseries, like the terrorism sagaCarlos.
NEXT PAGE: Prisoners
Prisoners (Sept. 20)
Dark, dark, and darker …
The cast is so tightly wound together its hard to pick one actor as a breakout.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards is the only ceremony with an ensemble category suitable for this film.
James Hunt vs. Niki Lauda.
As for Toronto, this is just the first lap.
There will be plenty of twists and turns for all the competitors before Oscar voting closes.
