With the expansion to ten Best Picture nominees, many thought that “anything has a shot now!” But that is, of course, horrifically incorrect seeing as how the still-five-nominees-Best Director category essentially reveals what the “real” Best Picture nominees are.
Alphabetically, the first nominee is Kathryn Bigelow – for The Hurt Locker. She’s the favorite, having won all of the following Best Director prizes: Austin Film Critics Award, BAFTA Award, Boston Society of Film Critics Award, Critics Choice Award, Chicago Film Critics Association Award, DGA Award, Kansas City Film Critics Award and the list goes on and on. Why does she deserve these though? Well, it’s because giving her the award is pretty much the biggest “duh” ever. Her not winning would be like if De Niro didn’t win fo Jake LaMotta. Even people who don’t know anything about movies can tell while watching The Hurt Locker that it’s an amazingly directed film. Her staging of the various setpieces throughout the film are stunning and a firm reminder of the visual kineticism present in Near Dark and Point Break. The Hurt Locker wouldn’t be the same film without her.
Next up is James Cameron for Avatar. He won the Best Director prize at the Golden Globes but rest assured, he has no shot in hell at actually winning. Don’t get me wrong, it would be a deserving win. Avatar, whether you like it or not, is a visionary work shepherded by Cameron‘s genius. Frankly though, the man already has his Best Director prize for a far more Oscar friendly picture. It’s the year of his ex-wife.
We come to Lee Daniels for Precious : Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. This has probably been the most criticized nomination in this category. Many felt that Daniels‘ stylistic overload only hurt his film. I would say though that his quirky style actually prevented the film from being overbearing misery porn. His excellent work with the actors has to be mentioned too.
Jason Reitman for Up in the Air is our second-to-last nominee. Many people who think that the definition of good directing is moving the camera around a lot probably don’t think he’s deserving, but Reitman‘s excellent balancing of tones, uniquely picked images and fantastic work with the cast shows that he is indeed worthy.
Our last is Quentin Tarantino for Inglourious Basterds. The film was my favorite of the year but I still think that Kathryn Bigelow should beat him. Still, amazing work from him. Had you taken his script and had it directed by anyone else, the movie would completely fall apart. QT is so perfect at conveying his esoteric vision in a way that’s completely palpable for audiences but never losing any of his integrity. I mean, a David Bowie song at the beginning of the final chapter? Inspired, but a David Bowie song from a long forgotten horror remake? Epically inspired.
Should Win: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Will Win: Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
Who would you like to see win Best Director?