What one aspect of a film contributes to a film’s consideration for Oscar contender status over the holiday season? Heart. And tears, and joy.
No matter who you are, entering a darkened screening room you want to be moved, to laugh, to cry, to come out of the cinema feeling better, more whole, your priorities realigned. You want to feel that there’s nothing you can’t do, that the whole world is open to you. And if the story that has unfolded before you over two hours is a story of family, and redemption, all the better. What film follows into that category this holiday season?
On the other hand, maybe you’ve got a heart of stone, maybe ‘family’ pictures seem, well, too sappy, too maudlin, maybe you’re one of those people who don’t attend ‘the cinema’ as therapy, to laugh or to cry. You attend at your local multiplex for a jolt, to watch an involving story. And if the film is made by a first-rate director like, say, David Fincher, the cinematography is lambent and deluxe, the performances peerless, well, all the better. What film falls into that category this upcoming holiday season?
Then there’s the barn burner holiday season release about which you and me and thee have no idea, for which there is the most enigmatic trailer preview, even if it does star someone of the calibre of multiple Oscar winner Meryl Streep. Much the same, of course, might be said of Clint Eastwood’s upcoming J. Edgar, which in its trailer comes across as one of those historical ‘this is good for you, now eat your porridge’ prestige holiday season releases that may, or may not, be worth two hours in a darkened theatre, even if it is directed by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood.
