In this year's highly competitive Oscar race, one film has emerged as a frontrunner, potentially destined to become one of the most dominant winners in recent history. 'Oppenheimer,' directed by Christopher Nolan, has garnered a staggering 13 nominations, making it the 11th film ever to achieve such a remarkable feat. History has shown that films with an abundance of nods often have a strong chance of clinching the Best Picture award, with six out of the previous ten achieving this prestigious accolade.
Among the illustrious movies that achieved Best Picture wins after receiving a large number of nominations are timeless classics like 'Gone with the Wind' (1939), 'Forrest Gump' (1994), and 'The Shape of Water' (2017). Only four films in this category failed to secure the top honor, including 'Mary Poppins' (1964), 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966), 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001), and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (2008). However, it's unlikely that 'Oppenheimer' will suffer the same fate, especially after its recent wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
Adding to the film's potential success is the outstanding performance of Robert Downey Jr., who is considered a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actor category. Downey Jr., known for his memorable portrayal of Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has already won the Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe for his role as the slimy bureaucrat Lewis Strauss in 'Oppenheimer.' With two previous Oscar nominations for 'Chaplin' (1992) and 'Tropic Thunder' (2008), Downey Jr. is undoubtedly a fan favorite. However, he faces stiff competition from Mark Ruffalo, who delivered a captivating performance in 'Poor Things.' Ruffalo, with four previous nominations under his belt, including his outstanding work in 'The Kids Are All Right' (2010), 'Foxcatcher' (2014), and 'Spotlight' (2015), could potentially challenge Downey Jr. in an intense acting duel.
It's worth noting that Ruffalo's chances might be hindered by his exclusion from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) nominations. Only two actors in recent memory, Marcia Gay Harden for 'Pollock' (2000) and Regina King for 'If Beale Street Could Talk' (2018), managed to secure an Oscar win without being recognized by these influential industry groups. While Ruffalo's chances might be uncertain, 'Oppenheimer' remains a formidable challenger in the Best Picture category, with its 13 nominations placing it in a strong position.
Another notable contender in the race for Oscar glory is Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Poor Things.' This sci-fi fantasy comedy secured 11 nominations, including double nods for Emma Stone as a producer and leading actress. Stone becomes only the second woman ever, following Frances McDormand for 'Nomadland' (2020), to achieve this impressive feat. A close competition is anticipated between Stone and Lily Gladstone, the first-ever Native American nominee in the Best Actress category for 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' The outcome of this category might ultimately decide the fate of both films, as winning Best Actress increases the chances of winning the Best Picture award.
Although Christopher Nolan is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished filmmakers of our time, his track record with turning nominations into wins at the Oscars has been mixed. Two of his films, 'The Irishman' (2019) and 'Gangs of New York' (2002), received numerous nominations but ultimately went home empty-handed. As for 'Poor Things,' if the film fails to secure a win in any category, it would join the ranks of 'The Color Purple' (1985) and 'The Turning Point' (1977) as one of the movies with the most Oscar losses.
This year's Oscar nominations also brought a few surprises, one of which was the exclusion of 'Barbie' creator Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie from the Best Director and Best Actress races. However, both talents received individual nominations, with Gerwig recognized in the adapted screenplay category and Robbie as a producer in the Best Picture category. Initially, Gerwig's screenplay seemed to hold promise for a win, but with competing films like 'American Fiction' winning at the Critics Choice Awards, 'Oppenheimer' gaining momentum, and 'Poor Things' performing strongly, Gerwig's chances might be uncertain.
Moving on to other categories, Justine Triet's 'Anatomy of a Fall' received five significant nominations and could be a strong contender for Best Original Screenplay. Alexander Payne's 'The Holdovers' and Celine Song's 'Past Lives' are also in the running. Among the acting categories, Sandra Huller, nominated for Best Actress, stands a solid chance of winning the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) and emerging as a potential dark horse. In the Best Actor category, Paul Giamatti from 'The Holdovers' has emerged as the favorite, having won the Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe for Best Leading Comedy Actor. With only one previous nomination for 'Cinderella Man' (2005), Giamatti, at 56, commands respect and great support from his peers, putting him in a strong position to secure a win.
As for Bradley Cooper, who received his 11th nomination this year, he has yet to clinch the coveted Oscar. However, his work in 'Maestro' and his dual role as a director and lead actor in 'A Star is Born' place him in a select group of individuals who have directed themselves to an acting nomination more than once, alongside legends like Laurence Olivier, Warren Beatty, and Clint Eastwood.
Among the other notable contenders this year is Amazon MGM's satirical comedy 'American Fiction,' which received five nominations, including double nods for writer and producer Cord Jefferson. Jefferson, the only person of color with multiple mentions this year, missed out on a directing nomination but had the remarkable achievement of being recognized as both a writer and a producer. 'American Fiction' features acclaimed performances by Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown, who received nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively.
Additionally, A24, as an indie studio, deserves recognition for securing two out of the ten nominations for Best Picture with their films 'The Zone of Interest' and 'Past Lives' despite facing formidable competition from streaming giant Netflix, which received a whopping 18 nominations.
The 2023 Oscars also had several breakthroughs and milestones. Danielle Brooks became the first person to be the sole nominee for a musical performance, earning recognition for her work in 'The Color Purple.' This is a well-deserved acknowledgment for the talented Broadway star. Moreover, there were significant nods for Latino actors, including Colman Domingo for 'Rustin' and America Ferrera for 'Barbie,' reflecting a positive step towards recognizing diversity and inclusion within the industry.
However, the Documentary Branch of the Oscars faced criticism once again. Beloved non-fiction films 'American Symphony' and 'Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie' were overlooked, much like the snubs of 'Won't You Be My Neighbor' and 'Apollo 11' in previous years.
With the Oscars just around the corner, speculation is rife about which films and talents will emerge victorious. While nothing is set in stone until the envelopes are opened on the big night, our initial predictions suggest that 'Oppenheimer' is a strong contender for Best Picture, with Christopher Nolan favored for Best Director. Paul Giamatti and Lily Gladstone are solid bets for the Best Actor and Best Actress categories respectively, while Robert Downey Jr. and Da'Vine Joy Randolph are favored for the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards. However, the dynamic nature of the Oscars means that surprises are bound to happen, so we eagerly await the big night to see how it all unfolds.
