Or, as I remember them, 2nd, 5th, and 7th period.
Makeup
Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events
The Passion of the Christ
The Sea Inside
Will Win: The Passion of the Christ
Should Win: The Passion of the Christ
Although sympathies aren’t generally going to sway towards this film (given the lack of noms to a film that, when it came out, was looking at all of the awards or none at all), I still think that makeup is a bone the Academy is willing to throw here. Movies like Braveheart and The Lord of the Rings usually walk away with this one. Now, those movies also went on to win Best Picture, but since The Aviator isn’t up for this one (which, frankly, it could be – did you see Leo in batshit crazy mode?) I’m giving it to the next most gravitas-laden contender. (I know, Sea Inside is pretty damn heavy, too. But the bone it’s gonna get comes later.)
And Passion does make with the makeup. You really believe he’s going through all that and part of the reason is convincing makeup. Another part is visceral flesh-ripping audio, but they’re not up for that.
And kudos to the Academy for not ignoring makeup masterpieces like The Hours or Planet of the Apes (and that’s the only context in which the latter gets near the word “masterpiece”) in favor of stuff like, well, The Time Machine this year. Not that there was anything makeuppy on the level of The Hours to ignore, but still.
COSTUME DESIGN
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events
Ray
Troy
Will Win: The Aviator
Should Win: Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events
This award usually goes to big, frilly dresses. Think Topsy Turvy or Moulin Rouge. Given that, I’m kind of surprised Phantom isn’t up in here. Regardless, Finding Neverland and The Aviator best fit the bill. Now Neverland is a little more frilly, but the Academy can’t resist its own history. I can hear the announcer now. “For bringing to life the designs of Old Hollywood…” over a montage of the sketches morphing into the actual outfits. It’s like candy to them.
Snicket’s could be the spoiler here, and it should be. The costumes are outrageous, and perfectly appropriate. Count Olaf’s coat alone should be worth the statue. That type of outrageousness is occasionally rewarded (see Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert’s win), but it’s rare.
ART DIRECTION
The Aviator
Finding Neverland
Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events
The Phantom of the Opera
A Very Long Engagement
Will Win: The Aviator
Should Win: (tie) Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events/A Very Long Engagement
Art Direction usually doesn’t stray far from Costume, and this year will be no exception. However, it should be noted that the respective annual Guild awards for each of these went to Snicket’s. But those guild members make up a small fraction of Academy voters. (Artists nominate their peers – costume designers nominate costume designers and so forth – but EVERYBODY votes on the winner). Still, if I’m wrong about Costume Design, I’ll probably be wrong in the same direction for this and Snicket’s will take home two.
Which would be cool. The Art Direction in that film is near-flawless and some of the most creative I’ve seen in years. However, the hyperreality of period piece Engagement is unparalleled. Art director Aline Bonetto helps create a world that at once evokes a time and a place and is yet unlike any place that has ever been. So I’d be happy to see either, or both, take home the gold.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
I have always found the Foreign Language category a poor measure of world cinema. In fact, the approach of having the country of origin submit a film itself is dumb, closing the door on many other fine films, and leaving it open to politicking.
Fix yr italics, David - nice post