Talkback: Can Drive Win Oscar Nods... In Any Category?
For some moviegoers, Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive was the movie of 2011 (ditto that soundtrack). Nevertheless, over at Nerve, Jett Wells echoes the sad realization of many a Drive-loving Oscar-watcher: Academy Award nominations are about as unlikely for the stylish crime pic as a clean getaway is for Ryan Gosling's boyish, near-mute anti-hero.
Wells cites arguments that have floated around the Oscarsphere since Drive debuted this summer with its hipster flair, violent streak, and that fancypants pink font, including its too-modest box office, young-ish slant, and lack of "Hollywood moments:"
Though it's deeply indebted to Hollywood genre traditions, Drive lacks many of the standard beats of today's blockbusters. I'm referring to those Steven Spielberg moments: a crying grandfather, a twenty-foot shark explosion, a grandiose score, a big, obvious emotional payoff. These sentimental elements aren't totally absent from Drive, but Refn is more subversive about introducing them, doing so subtly and in layers. But what endeared him to critics will probably hurt him come February -- Academy voters are suckers for tearjerkers.
I'd argue that the elevator scene, awash in surreal romanticism -- and yes, head-stomping -- is as indelible a movie moment as any this year. But Wells is right; Oscar chatter these days is all War Horse, War Horse, Descendants, The Artist, War Horse.
As for a supporting nod for Albert Brooks? Sure, it's possible. And his Bernie Rose is a terrifically terrifying surprise turn, but it's still a long shot. (See S.T. VanAirsdale's latest Oscar Index for deeper awards season analysis.) I wish Refn could edge his way into the directing race, but technical nominations seem more likely.
So please chime in, dear reader -- which Oscar categories could Drive conceivably compete in, for reals?
• Five Reasons Drive Won't Do Well At the Oscars [Nerve]
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Comments
I see an Albert Brooks nod in supporting. Otherwise? Nothing.
It's cooler if it doesn't get the nominations, though. It makes the movie more of a hip thing than if it received any. Kinda like how Social Network is a better movie for having lost Best Picture. (Even though it isn't).
Plus, with no nominations, the purchase of that scorpion jacket wasn't a sell out move, and you won't have to play the hipster game of being too cool for it and not wearing it.
They have nominated stranger things in the past, and Drive does play better to cinephiles than the general public. Brooks is the best bet right now, but it will be a pleasant surprise if Drive shows up elsewhere as well.
If they push just a little bit, I bet they could probably get a Best Score nomination. If Reznor can win one, Martinez could at least pull off the nomination.
If Martinez is nominated, I think it's for Contagion and not Drive. Not that I prefer Contagion's score (I don't), but it's got more momentum and the studio already began a push by releasing the score early to press.
Best Madonna/Whore Dichotomy? Best Example Of Mutton Dressed As Lamb? Best Opening Sequence In An Otherwise Wretched Movie?
Albert Brooks was okay but had too little to work with. The score, though, that was really useful, because otherwise I'd never have known that she thought he was a Real Human Being. And a Real Hero. A Real Human Being. And a Real Hero.
Like everyone said, Best Supporting Actor. What's ironic is that while I've been one of the films strongest supporters, I probably wouldn't nominate Albert Brooks for an Oscar. He was really good, just not Oscar worthy. I think that people were so surprised to see him cast against type, that's why there's so much buzz. I think the character was missing the really original dialogue that would have put the performance over into greatness. I think QT should have come in and written his dialogue, that's what it was missing.
Oscar nods are often towards the usual, predictable stuff, unfortunately!
Remember 2 years ago when they forgot to nominate Sam Rockwell for Moon.
I absolutely loved Drive, such a clever, sophisticated and cool movie. I hope at least Albert Brooks gets a nod. If they overlook Ryan Gosling again this year it would be sad, and Nicolas Winding Refn definitely deserves a nomination.
The opening scene was terrific... but the rest of the movie wasn't anything to nominate awards for.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that there's always a spot set aside in the Best Supporting Actor category for the "sociopathic killer"?
2010 - Jeremy Renner in The Town
2009 - Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds
2008 - Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight
2007 - Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men
2006 - Jackie Earle Haley (not a killer, but still) in Little Children
2005 - William Hurt in A History of Violence
2001 -Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast
+1
I take my earlier statement back, by the way: Albert Brooks should win Best Supporting Actor. As long as we can turn time back to 1987; he can share it with Mr Connery.
It would be a shame for Drive to be completely overlooked. So far the only movie I’m looking forward to more is The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but I just loved drive. It was simple, it was violent, it was moody, it had an incredible soundtrack, and it shed some of the Hollywood trappings of glorifying crime. It was almost a perfect movie.
I agree with several people above: Albert Brooks and maybe a few nominations in technical categories. However, I don't recall many great lead male performances so far this year, so maybe Gosling can sneak in.
In my earlier comment I overlooked the fact that, the last couple of years, they've had 10 Best Picture nominees rather than five. So I wouldn't be surprised to see "Drive" get a nod as the year's best action film, though it obviously won't win.
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