Arguing over the Oscar nominations is part of the fun. So often, a movie you think would take the biggest prize in cinema would fall in the last hurdle, and another may be less deserving one will scoop up the award for the Best Picture.
As obvious as it may sound, getting nominated for the Oscar doesn’t automatically make a film good. In fact, several deserving films have somehow been overlooked by the Academy over the years. So, it might be partly right to say that some films don’t get nominated because they aren’t what Oscar voters would usually prefer. However, there definitely have been a few surprises in the past.
With Oscar 2022 around the corner, the most intense movies have already been seen at Cannes in July and at some popular fall fests in Venice, Toronto, Telluride, and New York. In such a scenario, it is high time we look at some contenders who got people talking. So, if you are in search of some deep, heart-wrenching movies to watch during the weekend, here are some Oscar-worthy movies you may have missed the first time around.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Though Jessica Chastain has always had to work harder to please Academy voters with her performance, she did pack a dramatic punch in the movie The Eyes of Tammy Faye. She delivered a stunning performance as a two-hander, transforming both her body and soul in the process.
Rather than just finding her essence through wigs and prosthetics, Chastain almost lived in the late lady’s spirit. Perhaps, this is what helped her tap into the intangible character of Faye that was a mysterious presence on the screen.
Industry voters appreciate real-life portrayals. Hence, after so many years in the industry, this might be Chastain’s chance to enter the award heaven. If you are interested in sports betting and are looking for options to earn money from your passion for the big screen, then you might want to check the odds by BetMGM in NY Market and pick your nominees, not only for best movies.
A Hero
A Hero narrates the absorbing tale of Asghar Farhadi, who returns to Iran with good intentions that goes wrong. Amir Jadidi, who portrayed Rahim put forward a mesmerizing performance.
Rahim is a fragile young man who is on a two-day leave from prison. His girlfriend, played by Sahir Goldoust, stumbles upon a bag of gold coins that could help Rahim pay off his debt. However, Rahim chooses to do the right thing. He returns the bag to its rightful owner, thereby transforming into a viral celebrity for his good deed.
But good deeds don’t go unpunished, do they? So questions pop up about whether Rahim was honest about the source of money, and fake news about this starts turning his already miserable life into a greater state of disarray.
Farhadi has already won an Oscar for ‘The Salesman.” And with “A Hero,” Farhadi might be looking at the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.
Belfast
This might be Judi Dench, a seven-time nominee, and one-time winner, to win a second statuette in 2022. Writing and directing Branagh’s semiautobiographical drama about growing up in the 1960s Northern Ireland aligns with the Academy voters’ preferences—after all, they do have a penchant for offbeat grandmothers in coming-of-the age tales. So, Caitriona Balfe’s performance as a typical Irish mother fighting to keep her family together will prove to be a strong contender at the Oscars this year.
The Lost Daughter
Backed by Netflix, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut “The Lost Daughter” was definitely an award-friendly release. It also ruled the competition slot at the Venice Film Festival.
Adapted from a novel of the same name, “The Lost Daughter” by Elena Ferrante. It stars Olivia Colman, a woman vacationing in Greece who becomes obsessed with a young mother and daughter as she stalks them on the beach. The mother’s and daughter’s strong relationship makes Leda overwhelmed by her own memories of confusion, terror, and intensity of early motherhood.
The supporting cast comprising Dakota Johnson, Peter Sarsgaard, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Dagmara Dominczyk, and Jack Farthing has also done a brilliant job on screen. Gyllenhaal was previously nominated for the Oscars, and Colman has won an Oscar for “The Favorite.”
And there you have caught up with all the movies that never won Oscars but definitely deserve more attention.
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