#OSCARS: MR. WILL & JONATHAN GODFREY FACE-OFF ON THE 85TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Some of you might recall that my dear Friend Jonathan Godfrey, a fellow Film Aficionado has pitched-in a few Reviews here of late.  He thought of the brilliant idea of us combining our perspectives together for you all to read right in time for the 85th annual Academy Awards.  As it turns out, we have rather different opinions on how we feel the Oscars will unfold. We both live for Oscars Day and these would be our choices if we were given Ballots by the Academy…

SUPPORTING ACTRESS & ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godfrey: Ladies first, I am a Gentleman after all. And when it comes to the fairer sex I must admit my fondness for Anne Hathaway, however when it comes to this year’s Best Supporting Actress, she is not my Flagbearer. Helen Hunt is, and the sexuality she exudes in The Sessions makes her so.

Mr. Will: Although I would agree that the brazen and physically-correct Helen Hunt  was superb in  The Sessions,  it was Hathaway who devastated me most as Fantine in Les Misérables.  In fact her performance was so good that if the Academy would allow it, she could well have won Actress in a  Leading Role this year.  The last two-thirds of Les Misérables never could match that level of intensity it had when she was on-screen.  Mark my words, it will be a Hathaway Sweep this Awards season, completed by an Oscar win here.  Anne, I’m still on for Soy Lattes and Salon Day some time.  Text me, A-Hath!

Jonathan Godfrey: As for Actress in a Leading Role, my choice is far more mainstream. Jennifer Lawrence is unforgettable in Silver Linings Playbook, and such an impression should be adequately awarded.

Mr. Will: Inasmuch as I love J-Law – and I really do – I really just don’t think she’s earned it yet.  When you measure her performance here against recent Winners like Natalie Portman in Black Swan, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby/Boys Don’t Cry, Charlize Theron in Monster or Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, her Silver Linings Playbook work just doesn’t stack-up to that caliber. I’m so sorry to say it – don’t Katniss me with a Crossbow! I also would hate to see her peak this early in her career as I think her best work is still ahead of her.  The Oscars Curse can be detrimental,  ask Mira Sorvino.  Therefore, my vote goes to the effervescent Jessica Chastain.  Her stone-cold performance as Maya in Zero Dark Thirty in my opinion, dug that extra layer deeper and left an impression with me long after I left the theatre. Kudos also to a then six-year-old Quvenzhané Wallis who wowed me in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a born natural.  Naomi Watts I adore, starting off so strong in The Impossible, but alas it is her role which didn’t give her as much to work with after she fell ill for most of the Film.

SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Jonathan Godrey: My choices here are for the  pair of Chaps who star opposite each other in The Master. Yes, I was one of those Oddballs impressed by that haunting theological treatise. And so I believe Philip Seymour Hoffman to be Supporting Actor, and Joaquin Phoenix the Actor in a Leading Role. Color me crazy (a suitable shade), for that Film drove me to madness (its own indelible mark).

Mr. Will: Odd, indeed! The Master was this year’s Tree of Life for me.  Although sartorially exquisite, it went completely over my head.  I appreciate Phoenix‘s daringness  and Hoffman‘s conviction here, but it is Christoph Waltz who lit-up the Screen for me in Django Unchained, giving us a performance equally  brilliant  to the one he gave us in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds.  This Man fascinates me: his range, his ability to command a scene and his working chemistry with Quentin Tarantino is just explosive. And can I  say what an injustice it is that Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t get recognized?

As for Actor in a Leading Role I begrudgingly have to say the incomparable Daniel Day-Lewis is the odds-on choice.  And I  say “begrudgingly” because I know how Hugh Jackman gave it his all in Les Misérables, finally getting that long-overdue Academy acknowledgment.  In any other year it could’ve been him.

COSTUME DESIGN, PRODUCTION DESIGN & ORIGINAL SCORE

Jonathan Godfrey: Though I do not believe I am qualified to comment on every Technical category, I do wish to talk about a few. It may be Paul Delgado’s first nomination, but he is deserving of the gold for Costume Design nonetheless. The Wardrobe he stitched for Les Misérables is inspiring, so is Sarah Greenwood & Katie Spencer’s work on Anna Karenina. To them the aesthetic award of Best Production Design is given easily. They made the stage a character of its own, a truth too often overlooked. Lastly, may Mychael Danna take the Oscar for Original Score in Life of Pi. We Torontonians must stick together.

Mr. Will: I tend to agree with you Jonathan, despite our v. different opinions in the Acting categories. In any given year there are several Nominees in categories such as Short Film – Animated or Short Film – Live Action which we unfortunately don’t get an opportunity to evaluate.  In terms of Costume Design, Colleen Atwood has built her own legacy and her work for Snow White and The Huntsman cannot be overlooked as a possible Dark Horse,  but yes, the Costumes in Anna Karenina were stunning –  a Film defined by its Fashion. I do think though that Les Misérables has more fuel in its tank at this point in Awards Season.  I’d give the upper hand to  Delgado here for his work in the Musical.

As for Production Design, I’m inclined to say that the Duo of Eve Stewart  & Anna Lynch-Robinson for Les Misérables also will be awarded.  Hard to believe they made us believe we were amidst the June Rebellion in France all within the confines of a few Soundstages. As for Original Score, I love John Williams as does the Academy making him the choice, although Thomas Newman for Skyfall might give him a run for his money.

I also would like to commend the phenomenal Makeup and Hairstyling in the under-appreciated Hitchcock.  You go, Howard Berger, Peter Montagna & Martin Samuel!  Anyone who can turn Sir Anthony Hopkins so believably into such a widely-recognizable Icon deserves a round of applause in my books.

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY & DIRECTING

Jonathan Godfrey:  Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin cannot go unmentioned for Adapted Screenplay. Theirs is a story of life, its beauty and opposing struggle. Beasts of the Southern Wild is absolutely brilliant and so is Amour. Thus, for Original Screenplay the statue goes to Michael Haneke. However, as much as I am torn in denying Haneke the Award for Directing, it nevertheless goes to a worthy Opponent. Benh Zeitlin took home the honours at Sundance for Beasts, and here he shall have them again. His Film reminds the World that life is in the living.

Mr. Will: Argo was my fave Film of 2012, so I am pretty much rooting for Chris Terrio to be awarded Adapted Screenplay for his enthralling, humanistic and detailed work.  For Original Screenplay, my heart is with Tarantino for Django Unchained; an unparalleled Storyteller, in a league of his own.

As for Directing, it still to this day does not sit well with me that Ben Affleck so cruelly was overlooked for Argo.  The Golden Globes, BAFTAs, DGAs and Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards got it right. The Academy, not so much.  That being said, the legendary Steven Spielberg is as deserving as he’s ever been for Lincoln, drawing  phenomenal performances all around from his superior-caliber Cast, paying a fitting tribute to a Man who changed our World.

BEST PICTURE

Jonathan Godfrey:  Beasts of the Southern Wild is my selection for Best Picture. All of the Nominees are deserving of the honour this year, and I believe Les Misérables and Amour to be especially so. That said, Beasts remains my choice, one I have been debating for weeks on-end. In time, I shall see if the Academy agrees with me, and I do not worry if they don’t. I’m happy to have seen all of the nominated Films, and to have enjoyed them in turn. I hope those interested do the same, and come to their own honest conclusions.

Mr. Will:  Although I walked away from Zero Dark Thirty thinking for sure it was this year’s Best Picture, I’ve seen both Silver Linings Playbook and Argo gain a huge amount of momentum over the past few weeks, particularly the latter.  To be honest, I think Argo is peaking at the right moment to take it all, especially with Affleck‘s snubbing reminding the Academy how badly they’ve messed-up failing to recognize his work as a Director.  Argo, it is.

And thank you so much Jonathan for generously sharing your thoughts with us.  You definitely have a unique perspective and offer a refreshing take!  I do think you’re terribly wrong about  Hathaway though and you know it!

ABC airs the 85th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 7:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)