In Contention
By Josh Spiegel
December 4, 2009
There are mitigating factors on both sides of this question. On the one hand, Up would be only the second animated film to ever get nominated for Best Picture; the other film was 1991's Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. Also, with the Best Animated Feature category still in existence (though there had been some rumors earlier this year that the Oscar committee was going to nix it), some Oscar voters could assume that Up should only be nominated in that category. On the other hand, Up is exactly the kind of movie that those who decided a change in the number of nominations was necessary want to get nominated. It's an incredibly popular film, well-liked, and loved by some (yours truly included on that list). The movie was made by a company that's won plenty of Oscars before, and is heavily marketing the film to the voters.
Perhaps the strongest argument for Up being nominated is that 2009 just doesn't seem like a great year for movies. Ironic, of course, considering that AMPAS decided to make this the year with twice the Best Picture nominees. Though 2008 was also a weak year, 2009 seems decidedly weaker; though it is far-fetched that The Hangover could be a Best Picture nominee, it's a popular movie and the field is weak enough that even the upcoming romantic comedy It's Complicated could get nominated for the award. This year, more than any other, for more reasons than just the doubled field of nominees, the race for Best Picture is wide open. Up being nominated may seem crazy to you, but think of this: the damn thing might win. Might, not will. Don't forget one thing about the Oscars: no matter what anyone tells you, there is no such thing as a lock.
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