Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kimmel battles lack of Oscars suspense
The biggest challenge facing Jimmy Kimmel in hosting the 90th Oscars may be a stunning lack of suspense.
The winners in most top categories seem foregone conclusions on the telecast at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC. The acting victors are likely to be Gary Oldman of “Darkest Hour,” Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and Allison Janney of “I, Tonya.”
Oscar voters tend to pick performers who do the most acting rather than those who travel a more subtle route.
Guillermo del Toro seems a shoo-in for best director for “The Shape of Water,” which may have the edge for best picture over “Three Billboards.”
A blockbuster in the mix would bring more viewers to the show, which is Disneyowned ABC’s most-watched telecast each year. Many viewers have not seen these nominees and care little about politically charged speeches.
Still, the academy is looking to bounce back from its biggest gaffe ever: the announcement by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway of best picture last year after a backstage ballot mix-up. After tense moments, “Moonlight” was revealed as the rightful winner over “La La Land.”
Movie lovers tune in hoping their preferences will be confirmed. In this field, director Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird” stands out for its poignant depiction of a daughter (Saoirse Ronan) battling her loving but demanding mother (Laurie Metcalf ). Their scenes have a universality and feeling that transcend Oscar hoopla.
To this fan, any victory for “Lady Bird” will be richly deserved. I’m also rooting for supporting actor Willem Dafoe, the lone nominee for “The Florida Project,” who does his finest work as a kindly motel manager.
Ultimately, Oscar winners become the stuff of trivia contests, and time separates the real winners from the also-rans. Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant and Barbara Stanwyck never won competitive Oscars. “Citizen Kane” wasn’t named best picture, and “The Searchers,” “Vertigo” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” weren’t even nominated.
The Oscars are about sentiment, politics and popularity. They’re fun, too, as long as you don’t take them too seriously.