The Best Motion picture of the Year goes to...
I remember watching movies since I was a child; the first one was Aladdin (yeah, I'm a 90's kid) and the second one, The Lion King, which made me cry every single time that I watched it. I was 4 years old, and an animated movie was able to make me feel sad through the connection with little Simba losing his dad forever.
Years later, while studying journalism, we had some classes together with filmmaking students; and I got to learn a little bit more about direction, cinematography, editing and sound mixing. My head was blown away by all the little details that are a part of the story and the whole process, but I've never noticed before, and now, all of a sudden, I couldn't ignore them.
I started to watch as many movies as possible, about every topic. Then one year (I think it was 2016), I decided to watch all the Oscars nominees in the main categories. This has become a tradition that I share with my brother and best friends. Since then, wherever I go, I try to take people with me to the cinema to enjoy the film together and talk about it afterwards. Not even joking: this is probably my favourite time of the year!
This year the list has 20 movies, and I already watched 12, including all the nominated for Best Picture of the Year. What I think about them as a non-expert film lover, and which one is my favourite to win the main category on the next 25th of April at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, is something I'll tell you in the next couple of lines.
Mank:
The movie is a biographical film about the screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his process to write the movie "Citizen Kane", the Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars in 1942. It's a Netflix original, and it's presented in black and white to take you to the late thirties, where the story happens.
"Mank" is like watching a wonderful play, with performances that make you feel in a different era. It has a neat direction under David Fincher and a beautiful production design but, I'm not going to lie, it felt dull, and I only wanted it to be over. The story missed me, and it gets pretty confusing over the 132 minutes that it lasts. I wouldn't watch it again… and I wouldn't recommend it either (even when it has been nominated for 10 Oscars).
Promising Young Woman:
You can't be a human being and ignore this movie. If you're a woman, it will also hurt to watch because everybody can relate to a situation or know somebody who has gone through something shown in the movie.
The story is about Cassie, a woman who frequents bars and clubs pretending she's drunk, helpless and vulnerable, to seek for those men willing to cross the line and show their "bad habits". I don't want to give more spoilers, but please, watch it and think about it. You're going to feel uncomfortable, sad, full of anger and willing to do justice and change the world, and guess what? WE WILL!
The Trial of the Chicago 7:
Even as a Netflix original, it does look a lot like a proper Hollywood one, probably because of the very perfect and nicely done direction, but also because of a great cast that counts with Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
This film is about 7 activists fighting for pacifism and ending the Vietnam War, who are accused of conspiracy after the riots in Chicago in 1968. Personally, I loved this movie and the flashbacks through which they tell you what has happened and how angry, involved, and helpless you feel as a viewer while knowing that this is actually a true story.
Judas and the Black Messiah:
This one probably has the best cinematography of the season, hands down! The lights, colours, and well-achieved scenes are probably the most remarkable thing in this movie, added to Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield's acting. The latter being my favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, even when I know that Kaluuya will get that one.
The movie tells the story of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and his faithful betrayal by FBI informant William O'Neal (inspired by true events). This is a compelling film, with outstanding performances, and so authentic that you become part of the story itself. Pay attention to the details because this movie doesn't leave anything to chance.
Sound of Metal:
It's the story of Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing from one day to another and has to learn how to be deaf as his condition will only get worse. It's an Amazon Prime original nominated for 6 Oscars, including Best Leading Actor and Achievement in Sound, which to me will definitely be a win, as the whole movie is about the meaning and the sensation of sound in our daily lives.
The director Darius Marder doesn't let you forget that this is the story of a troubled mind constantly dealing with the loss of something: his drug addiction, his passion (music), his hearing, his beloved ones and pretty much everything he touches and learning how to live without it. It's intense, it's different, and even when most of the movie is relatively silent, you don't feel uncomfortable with the silence itself. It's sublime!
Nomadland:
Frances McDorman is an absolute legend in this movie, and it's definitely my favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, as her performance is compassionate, humble, inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time; everything she does and experiences is totally meaningful!
In Nomadland, Fern (Frances) becomes a nomad after losing her husband, her job and her home after the Great Recession, and goes through different jobs while meeting heaps of new people that take her on a journey with herself and the world.
You see her struggling but also living and learning wholesome life lessons. It's brilliant in all its rawness and is a must-watch with no doubts! Random fact: Frances McDorman has become the first woman (and eighth person) to receive Oscar nominations in producing and acting categories for the same film. WOHO! Go, Frances!
Minari:
This is such a relatable story for every immigrant in the world and every family that has ever dreamt about having a better life for themselves and their beloved ones. Minari is the story of a Korean family living in the States and moving to Arkansas to start a farm and finally have their own business.
Through the process, you see the parents struggling with money and the lack of connections and friends and all the efforts and risks taken to finally reach the "American dream".
The movie has a gorgeous amount of sentimentality, taking you effortlessly from laughs to tears, and it's incredibly tender when it comes to childhood and connecting with your roots, wherever you are. The little boy and the grandmother (Yuh-Jung Youn) are truly wonderful, and I honestly think she should get the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role because she is INCREDIBLE.
The Father:
My personal favourite of the season, with Anthony Hopkins as a brilliant protagonist with dementia and a splendid Olivia Coleman as his daughter. This film touches every single cell of your body, and it doesn't let you stay still.
Unbelievable as it may sound, Florian Zeller hasn't been nominated for Best Director, even when the whole movie is a masterpiece. It shows excellent details, outstanding direction, magnificent cinematography, stunning script and a one-way ticket ride through dementia and how this might feel if you're the one dealing with it.
It's heartbreaking, remarkable, frustrating and marvellous, all at the same time. So please, watch it! You won't forget this movie any time soon after doing so.
Honorary Mention:
"El Agente Topo", "The Mole Agent" in English, is Maite Alberdi's documentary competing in the category of Best Documentary Feature. The Chilean documentary tells the story of Mr Sergio, an 83 years old who goes undercover in a nursing home to check if another resident has been treated well.
To be honest, I haven't seen any of the other documentaries nominated, but this one… Oh, people. You'll cry your eyes out even if you're a tough cookie. It's funny, genuine, sad and heartbreaking, so you'll experience a proper rollercoaster while watching it, and you will probably think a lot about ageing and your grandparents. It's a must-watch with a box of kleenex right next to you.
