Oscars in Black and White

The Nominations:

• Actor In a Leading Role
• Actor In a Supporting Role
• Actress In a Supporting Role
• Best Picture
• Cinematography
• Costume Design
• Directing
• Film Editing
• Music (Original Score)
• Production Design
• Sound Mixing
• Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

The Black-and-White:

A review by spacedcowboy:

A contender for the movie-of-the-year, Lincoln does not disappoint. Unlike other so many decorated films in recent years, Lincoln is actually a complete film, and not just a shocking recounting of shocking events happening to shocking characters. As such, it has a slight edge on Argo, which, although compelling, may not actually be a movie in the true sense of the word…

The synopsis from imdb,com:

In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience — end slavery or end the war. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

As described above, the movie is a race against time and story for all time. Lincoln is trying, towards the end of his … career and life, to remove what he perceives is a wound that has divided the nation: slavery. If he can find a way to introduce a constitutional amendment before the Civil War ends, it may pass. But if it delays until the Southern states rejoin the conversation around the table, it may not. This cancer had eaten at America throughout the years, and those familiar with Lincoln’s political career will  know that he has tiptoed on both sides of the line on this issue in order to maintain our “perfect” union.

This film excels in taking us through the journey as the South prepares to submit, and the rest of the Union scrambles and questions what should be the elements of the reunited United States.

In this film – the story of which has been described in so many other places with more insight and greater knowledge – a clear conflict arises: create a grand vision of a nation without slavery, or do what is expedient, and allow a reunited nation to debate, and ultimately re-fight, an issue which broke us asunder for the decades and decades before.

The film lives and dies upon the performance of Daniel Day Lewis. Much has been said of his performance of Lincoln, and of his method of preparing for this role, and indeed for all of his roles. I think whatever one may think about his method, one cannot argue the results. He was Lincoln. Completely – both on-set and on-screen – and he excelled. He will win in this category and his win is well deserved.

His feud with Sally Field is legendary and that they needed to reunite in this film is an important moment in American film history. Her portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln was solid, and complimented the other actors in this film. As such, she deserves her nomination, although I don’t think it rises to the level where she should win.

We love you, we really do. Just not enough to give you this award, this time.

In the supporting acting category, I did appreciate the performance of Tommy Lee Jones. From reading about how he prefers to participate in interviews and also in his work, I understand he doesn’t appreciate small-talk. As such, let me give it to him straight: he was very, very good, but not great. I did not see him stretch or even wonder. I have not seen all the movies in this category yet, but I do not see a deserved award for Tommy. Sorry.

For the other major categories: Costume Design, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Production Design and Sound Mixing: I have no particular insights. All were good; none were memorable.

The last nominations are for Directing, Writing and Best Picture.

Sure. A good movie, great stories, and well-shot. I’m not sure this movie will stay with me as a film for the ages, but for this year, among live-action movies, I think it rises above. It will be a battle with Argo.

One caveat: there is one movie, Amour, that is under the radar and, realistically, has no chance of winning. But if you can watch it, and if you can overcome the language barrier, you will see what the movie-of-the-year should be, and how actors may act in nuanced and heartbreaking performances… This is wonder.