OSCAR SEASON PREVIEW
Coming soon, award-worthy movies
BEST FILM
Modest but meaningful seems to be the thing. The biracial love story Loving has strong backing. So does the personality profile Manchester by the Sea, the harsh coming-of-age flick Moonlight and the serious fantasy yarn A Monster Calls.
More candidates show up in Clint Eastwood’s heroic biopic Sully, which has Tom Hanks in the title role, while Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Arrival boasts Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.
The crime tale Hell or High Water is all about the performances of Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine. Mel Gibson’s war film Hacksaw Ridge is earning festival raves as well.
An exception to the darkness is the light and lively musical La La Land, showcasing the talents of Ryan Gosling (pictured, right) and Emma Stone.
BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck’s lost soul in transition drives Manchester by the Sea with award-worthy distinction. Hanks’ stoic yet resilient airline pilot Sully is one of his better efforts. Speaking of the acclaimed, Denzel Washington redefines his Fences portrayal with the same sort of compassion that earned him a Tony for his Broadway emoting of the role.
Joel Edgerton might get some Academy love for his Loving portrayal. And Gosling reveals his happy dancer persona with invigorating La La Land conviction.
BEST ACTRESS
Bound for glory is Natalie Portman’s detailed version of the grieving Jacqueline Kennedy in Jackie.
Ruth Negga’s determined wife in the biracial Loving marriage is a likely nominee, too.
Never count out Meryl Streep. Her unlikely vocalist in Florence Foster Jenkins impresses. Viola Davis reboots her Fences part, which also won her a Tony.
Competing as long shots will be Jennifer Lawrence’s sci-fi turn in Passengers, Stone’s musical moments in La La Land and Emily Blunt’s hazy alcoholic from The Girl on the Train.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Think of it as the veteran’s brigade. Hugh Grant’s loyal cad of a husband in Florence Foster Jenkins might square off with Ralph Fiennes’ energetic scoundrel from A Bigger Splash and Bridges’ crusty modern day Texas Ranger in Hell or High Water.
Peter Sarsgaard’s Bobby Kennedy in Jackie might get some Academy attention.
Ditto Aaron Eckhart’s co-pilot in Sully.
Mahershala Ali, thanks to TV’s House of Cards and the Luke Cage series, is a contender with momentum and a notable performance in Moonlight.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Forget about Felicity Jones headlining the upcoming Star Wars flick, she should get Oscar’s attention for her portrayal of the mom coping with cancer in A Monster Calls.
Lupita Nyong’o could be back at the glitzy shindig for playing the impoverished matriarch trying to help her daughter escape the slums in Queen of Katwe. Naomie Harris made her name in the James Bond pictures, but she will probably earn a nomination for her crack-addict mother in Moonlight.
Michelle Williams is in the conversation thanks to her role as the estranged wife in Manchester by the Sea. So is Aja Naomi King for defining the slave Cherry in The Birth of a Nation.
BEST DIRECTOR
Three favourites have qualifications for different reasons. Eastwood (Sully) is a lifetime achiever. Jon Favreau (The Jungle Book) is daring. Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea) is intermittent but accomplished.
Contenders include Quebec filmmaker Villeneuve (Arrival), who was snubbed for Sicario last year. J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls) and Damien Chazelle (La La Land) have supporters.
Backlash for controversial circumstances might eliminate Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge) and Nate Parker (The Birth of a Nation).
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Finding Dory is a given. So are Zootopia and Kubo and the Two Strings. Moana and Trolls will be in the animated discussion. The Red Turtle received great notices at Cannes and Sing is enjoying some pre-release buzz.