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“If only I were voting…”

I think it almost every year as I hear the winners read during the Academy Awards ceremony. Last year, my pick would have been Silver Linings Playbook (though I at least don’t object to Argo). The prior year, I would have chosen Moneyball. I seem to be one of the few people who think The King’s Speech was a deserving winner, while I also believe that Gladiator is one of the worst Best Picture winners over the last couple of decades. Well, that and Crash. But everyone feels that way about Crash.

With the big show just a few days away, I’m taking this opportunity to talk through my own rankings of the Best Picture nominees. The good news is that I don’t really feel like there’s a bad winner among this set of movies. No matter who wins (and let’s face it; it’s going to be one of Gravity, 12 Years a Slave or American Hustle), I won’t have a reason to complain. Still, in my world, some movies are nonetheless more deserving than others, so…

1) Gravity – This brilliant film is one we’ll be talking about for years to come. While one could argue that it’s nothing other than an effects spectacle, I think it’s also a masterpiece of storytelling. Not only is the movie gripping and terrifying, there is subtle symbolism in the progression of the plot as well. With Sandra Bullock serving as the audience surrogate, her performance is critical to ensuring that we’re never lost, irritated or confused. Indeed, the audience sympathizes with her plight to the point that our hearts pound as her life is imperiled. Every element of the film is perfectly constructed, from the visuals to the sound to the cinematography to the score. It is exactly the type of film I always feel Oscar should reward (Titanic would be another such example) because it is both groundbreaking and significant.

2) Nebraska – And…I take a complete 180 from the grandiose Gravity to the quiet Nebraska. I’m a mark for Alexander Payne. The Descendants and Sideways would have been perfectly acceptable Best Pictures for me in the years when they were nominated (I *think* I might even choose Sideways for 2004, although I think The Aviator is probably the better selection overall). This is a beautifully acted film with a relatable story (son dealing with aging parent), with distinct cinematography and direction. Outside of Gravity, I think it has the best construction top to bottom.

3) Her – These days, I’m a lot more impressed with a movie that takes a chance and tries to do something different than I am with a pedestrian story told well. I truly loved the future world that Spike Jonze’s film created. It was just different enough on the weird side without being too over-the-top. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing, particularly when you consider that the bulk of the film has him interacting with nothing more than a voice. And as that voice, Scarlett Johansson makes us understand why Theodore develops feelings for her. I do think that the third act comes undone just a bit, which is just enough to push Her below Nebraska.

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