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In 1945, Samuel Goldwyn is said to have famously said, “This A-bomb – it’s explosive!!” Christopher Nolan’s powerful biographical drama Oppenheimer has received 13 Bafta nominations and continues to dominate the awards season. Cillian Murphy stars as J Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist behind the development of nuclear weapons during World War II. The film delves into his motivation to race against the Nazis in creating the bomb, his fascination with the successful Trinity test in New Mexico, and his subsequent struggle with guilt and horror in the aftermath of war. Bafta voters have been deeply moved by the grand scale, ambition, and gravitas of this work by the talented British director. The film’s wartime setting adds to its prestige and has drawn comparisons to last year’s Bafta nominations, which heavily favored All Quiet on the Western Front.
Barbie, the other side of the #Barbenheimer coin, was not as well-received by Bafta voters compared to Oppenheimer. It only received five nominations, including Margot Robbie for leading actress and Ryan Gosling for supporting actor in his charming and captivating role as Kendearing, Kentrancing (etc etc). The amazing work of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer in production design was also recognized. However, Oppenheimer received 11 nominations and Yorgos Lanthimos’s darkly comedic spectacle Poor Things stands out (although Lanthimos himself did not receive a director nomination). Emma Stone rightfully earned a best actress nomination for her portrayal of Bella Baxter, a Victorian woman who undergoes a strange Frankensteinian experiment after attempting suicide. It would be unwise to bet against Stone winning.
In other places, it is worth noting the impressive accomplishment of German actress Sandra Hüller, who has been nominated for best actress for her outstanding lead role in Justine Triet’s courtroom drama Anatomy of a Fall. In the film, she portrays a stylish author on trial for the murder of her husband. Additionally, she has also received a nomination for best supporting actress for her role in Jonathan Glazer’s powerful Holocaust film The Zone of Interest. In this film, she plays the reserved wife of the Auschwitz camp commandant, living a seemingly peaceful life in a beautiful house just outside the barbed wire fence. It is interesting to compare this film to Oppenheimer in their examination of suppressed guilt and shame.
Martin Scorsese’s film “Killers of the Flower Moon”, based on a true crime story, has captured the attention of awards voters. Despite its powerful subject matter, neither Lily Gladstone nor Leonardo DiCaprio received acting nominations. The film explores the genocide of the Osage people in the early 20th century, highlighting the larger issue of attempted erasure of Native Americans in US history. Another contender for awards is Alexander Payne’s 70s dramedy “The Holdovers”, which features a strong performance from Bafta nominee Paul Giamatti as a grumpy boarding school teacher. After his Golden Globe victory, Giamatti became a social media sensation when he later dined at his favorite In-N-Out Burger restaurant in LA. If he wins a Bafta, perhaps he can indulge in some Nando’s as well.
Regarding the snubs – it is a shame that Celine Song’s Past Lives only received three nominations, and it is disappointing that it was not included in the best film and best director categories. On the other hand, Emerald Fennell’s Brideshead 2.0 psychothriller Saltburn received five nominations, but this does not accurately reflect the amount of buzz surrounding it. Some claim that it uncritically and unsatirically glorifies the posh lifestyle portrayed in Tatler magazine. However, it is undeniably directed and shot with enthusiasm, and Rosamund Pike rightfully received a nomination for best supporting actress for her portrayal of the beautiful and troubled chatelaine of Saltburn.
The heart of the Baftas has consistently been in the categories for outstanding British film and outstanding British debut. Molly Manning Walker’s exceptional film, How to Have Sex, received well-deserved recognition in both categories. However, I was disappointed to see no recognition for Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine in The Great Escaper, as well as for Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s gripping psychodrama, Femme.
The elusive agreement among award voters seems to be leaning towards one specific film, Oppenheimer. However, there is a possibility that The Zone of Interest and Killers of the Flower Moon will divide the votes in the “serious” category, while Poor Things and Emma Stone, with all their chaotic dysfunction, may come out victorious on the night.
Source: theguardian.com
