It’s been well over a decade since a comedy won Best Picture at the annual Academy Awards (“Shakespeare in Love” won in 1998), but what better time for the return of comedy than the supposed end of the world? For the first time in years, comedies may have the chance to bask in Oscar’s golden light with nominations for this year’s best comedies all across the board.
The list of nominees released yesterday indicate “Midnight in Paris” and “Bridesmaids” compiled a combined total of six nominations, while “The Artist,” a light-hearted romance, gathered ten on its own. But before you celebrate the return of comedy, note that while “Bridesmaids” may be in the running for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Screenplay, the Academy couldn’t quite swallow the chick-studded bromedy, and shunned it from the Best Picture category.
Although history would be made if the black-and-white silent, “The Artist,” managed Best Picture (the last silent film to win this category was at the first Academy Awards in 1927/28), I’m crossing my fingers for Woody Allen’s exceptional “Midnight in Paris,” a rambling story of how one writer’s love of 1920s Paris takes him on an unbelievable adventure and saves him from his own perfunctory life. Owen Wilson’s portrayal of New York’s favorite quirky director is, let’s face it, better than the man could do himself, and with support from the talented Rachel McAdams (who plays her part as Wilson’s sarcastic, selfish fiancée to a T) and the hauntingly beautiful Marion Cotillard, the cast is a knockout. Furthermore, Allen’s portrayal of the whimsicality and frivolity of 1920s Paris that makes you want to don your best flapper frock, jump through the screen and join in the fun.
Best Picture Nominees – 2012
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Check out a clip of the movie here:
Arielle S. has 11 post(s) on RTR On Campus
