A Season of Ups and Downs

THR’s awards expert highlights the events of the week and how they’re shaking up the race

BEST PICTURE Tár

Todd Field’s first film in 16 years completed a rare hat trick Jan. 7, following its best film awards from the top Los Angeles and New York critics groups with a National Society of Film Critics victory. Lead actress Cate Blanchett and Field’s screenplay also were recognized.

Avatar: The Way of Water

While James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel is continuing to kill it at the box office, it has yet to really break through with critics groups and — perhaps partly because of a late release — failed on Jan. 6 to even make the long list for BAFTA’s best film prize.

BEST DIRECTOR Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Bardo) and Guillermo del Toro (Pinocchio)

One of the hottest tickets of the season was to a Jan. 6 conversation at the Academy Museum featuring “The Three Amigos” — moderator Alfonso Cuarón and these two Oscar-winning filmmaker friends of his.

Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans)

BAFTA has some weird voting processes that can produce unexpected results, but even so, it was shocking that this legend failed to make this category’s long list of 16. He was passed over for, among others, the helmers of Aftersun and The Quiet Girl.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Paul Dano

The actor’s been gaining traction for his portrayal of Spielberg’s father in a characteristically quiet way. He and his castmates accepted the Palm Springs Film Festival’s Vanguard Award on Jan. 5, and he honored co-star Gabriel LaBelle at the National Board of Review Awards on Jan. 8.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE Saint Omer

Ahead of its Jan. 13 L.A. debut, Alice Diop made BAFTA’s best director long list and was feted Jan. 6 as one of Palm Springs’ 10 directors to watch. And Gina Prince-Bythewood hosted a CAA event for it Jan. 7, while NBR honored it as one of the year’s top five international films.