Marriage Story stakes strong Oscars claim with Gotham awards triumph
Marriage Story, the divorce comedydrama starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, has consolidated its position as strong Oscars frontrunner by picking up four wins at the Gothams, awards designed to reward independent film-making.
Marriage Story won all four categories in which it was nominated: best feature, best actor for Driver, best screenplay for writer-director Noah Baumbach, and the audience award. Johansson, however, was not nominated for best actress: the winner in that category was Awkwafina, the lead in Chinaset comedy drama The Farewell.
American Factory, the first film project backed by Barack and Michelle
Obama’s Higher Ground production company, won best documentary.
The Gothams are not always a reliable indicator of future awardsseason success. In 2018, for example, rodeo drama The Rider defeated period comedy The Favourite, which would go on to earn multiple Oscar nominations, while best actress Oscar winner Olivia Colman was not nominated. However, it can indicate which films have momentum; past best feature winners include Moonlight in 2016, Spotlight in 2015 and Birdman in 2014, all of which went on to win the best picture Oscar.
Full list of winners
Best feature Marriage Story Best actor Adam Driver, Marriage StoryBest actress Awkwafina, The Farewell Best documentary American FactoryBest screenplay Marriage Story-Breakthrough actor Taylor Russell, WavesAudience award Marriage Story Breakthrough director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, The MustangBreakthrough series – short form PEN15Breakthrough series – long form When They See Us