The high-minded drama historically has dominated best picture nominations. But I’m not sure those are the movies that last (a simple definition of “best”).
Example: 1994 Oscar nominees for best picture: Schindler’s List, The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, The Remains of the Day. Three high-minded dramas, one almost an action picture, one just very weird; three based on books, one based on an old TV series, one an original screenplay; three European stories, one American story, one New Zealand story.
Only The Piano sticks in my head after all these years, probably because it’s the weird one from an original screenplay and with the exotic setting, and it’s the only one I would consider watching today.
There’s also a movie that got zero Oscar nominations that year but is still clear in my mind, probably because I’ve watched it a couple times since and because it influenced countless other movies. I’m talking about Groundhog Day, of course.
So which of this year’s movies are the sort that people will still watch without coercion even three years from now, never mind thirty? Probably not Whale or Banshees. If it’s the Michelle Yeoh movie, then that probably indicates a shift away from old-style nominations.
And if someone offered you 1994’s nominees plus Groundhog to choose from, be honest, which one would you want to watch right now?
Mar 9, 2023·edited Mar 9, 2023Liked by <Mary L. Tabor>
Great essay! Banshees and The Whale stand far above all the other nominees. In Tar we get a superb performance by Blanchett in a film with no narrative core or arc. And in the odds-on favorite (EEAAO) we have a film that no one knows what it's about (because it isn't about anything) and which in the end tries to salvage a message by resorting to a pedantic tell-not-show lecture from... a rock! Thanks, Mary, for providing one of the few sane and wise perspectives among all the silliness around this year's awards season.
Yeah, the politics are, of course, based in legit concerns and can be important, but it's a shame when they obliterate any objectivity regarding artistic merit. Especially when it's artists who are judging the art.
Banshees is my favorite film of the years. It's my favorite film in many years. And I would argue that the Marvel Movie Effect has made its way into independent films. These indie films also feature lightly-flawed heroes who her defeat one- or two-note villains.
I so agree--as you can tell. Banshees is at the absolute top of my list, too! Thank you, Sherman. I think what we also agree on here is how well McDonagh understands understated narrative. Beautifully written, capturing the heart without our realizing while also using the effect of self-brutality to startle us as well. And that too extended the metaphor, don't you think? ~Mary
Yes! One reader has privately messaged me that she can't watch Banshees because I say it's bloody. But surprisingly, the movie doesn't scare us; it reminds us. And I too laughed so much while still thinking. A true wow. Colin Farrell played the role so sweetly straight And Gleeson was fab as well.
A fascinating read, Mary - thank you for such a detailed exploration of two fascinating-sounding films! I haven’t been to the cinema for YEARS, but I’m looking forward to watching both of these when they hit a home streaming service.
In which order would you recommend viewing? Given that they’re both independent entities I’d say it doesn’t matter, but I’d still be interested to know which way you watched them!
Both are streaming. I watched both at home. The Banshees of Insherin, first. The Whale, second. Both are terrific. I also have been avoiding theaters since Covid.
Great post - thank you for the reminder that I need to include more films in my life these days :) Both sound terrific.
Oh, grand. Thank you, Nikki.
You have to go back all the way to What's Eating Gilbert Grape to find a film that presents morbid obesity with humanity.
The Whale is grotesque, conceptually and in execution.
I was not at all happy with Jenny's story arc. Too sad 😭
The high-minded drama historically has dominated best picture nominations. But I’m not sure those are the movies that last (a simple definition of “best”).
Example: 1994 Oscar nominees for best picture: Schindler’s List, The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, The Remains of the Day. Three high-minded dramas, one almost an action picture, one just very weird; three based on books, one based on an old TV series, one an original screenplay; three European stories, one American story, one New Zealand story.
Only The Piano sticks in my head after all these years, probably because it’s the weird one from an original screenplay and with the exotic setting, and it’s the only one I would consider watching today.
There’s also a movie that got zero Oscar nominations that year but is still clear in my mind, probably because I’ve watched it a couple times since and because it influenced countless other movies. I’m talking about Groundhog Day, of course.
So which of this year’s movies are the sort that people will still watch without coercion even three years from now, never mind thirty? Probably not Whale or Banshees. If it’s the Michelle Yeoh movie, then that probably indicates a shift away from old-style nominations.
And if someone offered you 1994’s nominees plus Groundhog to choose from, be honest, which one would you want to watch right now?
Good points, much to discuss.
Great essay! Banshees and The Whale stand far above all the other nominees. In Tar we get a superb performance by Blanchett in a film with no narrative core or arc. And in the odds-on favorite (EEAAO) we have a film that no one knows what it's about (because it isn't about anything) and which in the end tries to salvage a message by resorting to a pedantic tell-not-show lecture from... a rock! Thanks, Mary, for providing one of the few sane and wise perspectives among all the silliness around this year's awards season.
I thought everyone knew what EEAAO was about. So, I learned something today! Plus the bagel hair do and the hot dog fingers were priceless. 😁
Wow. Thank you. Few are actually able to say what you've said here for fear of not being politically correct in both cases.
Yeah, the politics are, of course, based in legit concerns and can be important, but it's a shame when they obliterate any objectivity regarding artistic merit. Especially when it's artists who are judging the art.
Banshees is my favorite film of the years. It's my favorite film in many years. And I would argue that the Marvel Movie Effect has made its way into independent films. These indie films also feature lightly-flawed heroes who her defeat one- or two-note villains.
I so agree--as you can tell. Banshees is at the absolute top of my list, too! Thank you, Sherman. I think what we also agree on here is how well McDonagh understands understated narrative. Beautifully written, capturing the heart without our realizing while also using the effect of self-brutality to startle us as well. And that too extended the metaphor, don't you think? ~Mary
I agree. And the movie is startlingly funny.
Yes! One reader has privately messaged me that she can't watch Banshees because I say it's bloody. But surprisingly, the movie doesn't scare us; it reminds us. And I too laughed so much while still thinking. A true wow. Colin Farrell played the role so sweetly straight And Gleeson was fab as well.
A fascinating read, Mary - thank you for such a detailed exploration of two fascinating-sounding films! I haven’t been to the cinema for YEARS, but I’m looking forward to watching both of these when they hit a home streaming service.
In which order would you recommend viewing? Given that they’re both independent entities I’d say it doesn’t matter, but I’d still be interested to know which way you watched them!
Both are streaming. I watched both at home. The Banshees of Insherin, first. The Whale, second. Both are terrific. I also have been avoiding theaters since Covid.
Gosh, I had no idea - I’m so out of touch! Thank you so much for telling me, Mary! I’ll have a look! ☺️☺️☺️
I love when you write about film. Thank you for sharing and reminding me I need to watch some movies!
You gotta see these two--and both are streaming. xo