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Today is a very good day to be one Ms. Kathryn Bigelow. A few days ago, we asked you which film looks set to be the critics’ darling of the season — today, at least, the clear answer appears to be “The Hurt Locker.”
Hours after sweeping the board with the Beantown crowd, Bigelow’s Iraq-set heartpounder took the top two prizes in the LAFCA voting. What this means for the film’s Oscar chances is open to question, but its 58 year-old helmer’s trifecta of prizes today bodes well for her chances of become the first female Best Director Oscar winner in history.
The film wasn’t as dominant as it was in the Boston critics’ awards. Jeremy Renner’s Boston upset was not to be repeated, with Jeff Bridges taking his first (and, I suspect, not his last) Best Actor honor of the season for “Crazy Heart.” Meanwhile, DP Barry Ackroyd came in second to Christian Berger for “The White Ribbon.”
More thoughts, and a full list of winners and runners-up, after the cut.
Speaking of Germany’s Oscar submission, Michael Haneke was on Bigelow’s heels in the Best Director race. However, as I anticipated, it lost the Best Foreign Language Film award to the gorgeous French family drama “Summer Hours,” which took the same award in Boston earlier.
French cinema was very well served by the LA critics in fact, with little-known 56 year-old thesp Yolande Moreau pulling off the day’s biggest upset in the Best Actress category. Pipping pundits’ favorite Carey Mulligan to the post, Moreau won for her immensely affecting turn in the title role of period artist biopic “Séraphine,” which I reviewed from Edinburgh in June. (It’s not Moreau’s first upset victory of the year, incidentally: she beat Kristin Scott Thomas to the César back in March.)
If you’re stunned by the win, you shouldn’t be: it’s hardly first time the LAFCA has opted for a left-field foreign-language performance in recent years. (Remember those recent wins by Vlad Ivanov and Luminita Gheorghiu?) I suspected that the trend would re-emerge in this category, though I guessed that the slightly more buzzed Catalina Saavedra would be the beneficiary. It’s a pleasingly independent choice, though I doubt we’ll be talking about Moreau much more this season, sadly.
The supporting awards stuck more to the script, with Christoph Waltz and Mo’Nique each taking their third award of the day. I have a feeling both actors might be unstoppable in the Oscar race — though, to be honest, that’s a feeling I’ve had ever since I saw the respective performances.
(To be utterly self-serving for a minute, no one is more astonished than yours truly that I called nine of the LAFCA’s choices — including a win for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” in the Best Animated Feature race that seems to have taken some people off-guard. Is the curse lifting?)
Anyway, strong choices across the board — “Summer Hours” may be my favorite pick here, but I honestly can’t take issue with any of these. Your thoughts?
Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker”
Runner-up: “Up in the Air”
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”
Runner-up: Michael Haneke, “The White Ribbon”
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
Runner-up: Colin Firth, “A Single Man”
Best Actress: Yolande Moreau, “Séraphine”
Runner-up: Carey Mulligan, “An Education”
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”
Runner-up: Peter Capaldi, “In the Loop”
Best Supporting Actress: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
Runner-up: Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”
Best Screenplay: Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, “Up in the Air”
Runner-up: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Ianucci and Tony Roche, “In the Loop”
Best Foreign Language Film: “Summer Hours″
Runner-up: “The White Ribbon”
Best Animated Feature: “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Runner-up: “Up”
Best Documentary: “The Beaches of Agnes” and “The Cove” (tie)
Best Cinematography: Christian Berger, “The White Ribbon”
Runner-up: Barry Ackroyd, “The Hurt Locker”
Best Production Design: Philip Ivey, “District 9″
Runner-up: Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, “Avatar”
Best Music Score: T-Bone Burnett and Stephen Bruton, “Crazy Heart”
Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat, “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
New Generation Award: Neill Blomkamp, “District 9″
Douglas Edwards Award: C.W. Winters and Anders Edstrom, “The Anchorage”
Career Achievement Award: Jean-Paul Belmondo
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64 responses so far
1 12-13-2009 at 3:09 pm
Speaking English said...
Very disappointing set overall. Oh well.
2 12-13-2009 at 3:11 pm
Nel said...
Best Actress (Winner): Yolande Moreau, “Séraphine”
Is Moreau even eligible or the Oscars ??
3 12-13-2009 at 3:12 pm
Adam Smith said...
Well, I only made proper predix for 7, but I got 5 out of 7, so I feel kinda good (missing Hurt Locker for BP and Moreau for Actress, obviously).
I clearly need to see The Hurt Locker again, because I wasn’t crazy about it. I very much liked it, but I think it’s getting a bit overrated.
However, I hope the potential backlash doesn’t grow too severe, as Kathryn Bigelow would still make a fine Best Director winner.
4 12-13-2009 at 3:13 pm
tintin said...
Fantastic MR Fox?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! UP is the best of the year!!!!!!!!
5 12-13-2009 at 3:13 pm
Fitz said...
Alright for Jeff Bridges. I was starting to think the buzz from Crazy Heart was gone.
6 12-13-2009 at 3:14 pm
The Other James D. said...
^Huh? I completely disagree. It’s nice to see Bridges get a win; the actress choice will attract new viewers to her film; and the Picture win shifts the momentum a bit, allowing for this to be, perhaps, a less sweeping season. I’m all for that. And they’re deserving wins, too.
I was afraid of either film garnering the “critical darling” tag this year, as I sensed after two consecutive years of near critical sweeps, it might siphon a backlash, or an upset. I sure hope that doesn’t happen to Kathryn Bigelow.
7 12-13-2009 at 3:14 pm
The Other James D. said...
^The above was directed @Speaking English.
8 12-13-2009 at 3:14 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Haha, I called the “Fantastic Mr. Fox” upset. “Summer Hours,” too. Might I take this opportunity to grossly congratulate myself? ;)
9 12-13-2009 at 3:15 pm
Beau said...
Ugh. And the sweep for ‘The Hurt Locker’ begins. How unfortunate.
But I’m pleased for Bridges, ‘Fox, Monique and Waltz. I only wish there was more love for ‘Basterds’ or ‘Bright Star’.
10 12-13-2009 at 3:16 pm
Sean said...
Please tell me how they came up with Yolande Moreau?
11 12-13-2009 at 3:17 pm
The Other James D. said...
Fantastic Mr. Fox completely deserves some wins, tintin. Again: Don’t fret, as it means nothing towards Up‘s inevitable Oscar win. But it’s great to see “Fox” get love, from some.
12 12-13-2009 at 3:19 pm
Morgan said...
Nice day for District 9. 2 nods for Neill Blomkamp (Boston and LA) and an actual win over Avatar (!) in production design.
13 12-13-2009 at 3:19 pm
Guy Lodge said...
Sean: Because she’s terrific in the film?
14 12-13-2009 at 3:19 pm
The Other James D. said...
@Sean: Um…they saw other films that some philistines wouldn’t bother with, and felt inspired? =).
15 12-13-2009 at 3:20 pm
red_wine said...
I seriously think now that only sexism will prevent Bigelow from winning the Oscar. There really isn’t much of a directing achievement all year. I figured Haneke would come into play here. Too bad his film couldn’t be runner-up though I have yet to see Up In the Air.
And I think Bridges too seems to set. Great Oscarless beloved American star. Unless support for George Clooney starts welling up. Very glad they could go away from the Oscars and award Best Actress to Moreau.
But seriously what will they nominate for Best Director? God forbid lee daniels? Eastwood, Jackson and Mashall’s films have received no great praise, the later 2 outright looked down upon. I really think Haneke should have a genuine shot for direction.
16 12-13-2009 at 3:20 pm
M said...
Yolande Moreau – Who??? ???
I guess this year’s OScars are as closed as people thought.
17 12-13-2009 at 3:22 pm
The Other James D. said...
Haha, Guy. That + the “good day to be Kathryn”, which I said somewhere else at the same time–gnarly.
18 12-13-2009 at 3:23 pm
Nel said...
Confused over the eligbility of Summer Hours and Yolande Moreau but not complaining.
Also if Moreau is eligbile then a possible dark horse for the oscars?
Love the love for Haneke but beginning to detect a shut out for the Prophet?
Like the fact that many in LAFCs have gone left field for some of their choices and runner ups.
19 12-13-2009 at 3:24 pm
geha714 said...
The question now is if New York will follow LA or they will go for an unconventional choice.
Congratulations to the winners and I’m happy for The Hurt Locker victories.
20 12-13-2009 at 3:26 pm
JAB said...
Hurt Locker is looking like a Lock for a BP slot, and Bigelow is definitely the one to beat for Best Director now.
21 12-13-2009 at 3:26 pm
The Other James D. said...
@Nel: I doubt that she’s a dark horse. Remember Vera Farmiga in Down to the Bone?
She is eligible though. Just because it’s a 2008 imdb listing doesn’t mean anything; it’s American release was June 5th, and that’s what counts.
22 12-13-2009 at 3:26 pm
Sean said...
I meant she came out of left field.
Great news for The Hurt Locker!
23 12-13-2009 at 3:27 pm
drew roddy said...
AFI LIST
CORALINE
THE HANGOVER
THE HURT LOCKER
THE MESSENGER
PRECIOUS
A SERIOUS MAN
A SINGLE MAN
SUGAR
UP
UP IN THE AIR
TV
THE BIG BANG THEORY
BIG LOVE
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
GLEE
MAD MEN
MODERN FAMILY
THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY
NURSE JACKIE
PARTY DOWN
TRUE BLOOD
24 12-13-2009 at 3:28 pm
Dylan said...
I’m so happy that Fox won. It’s my fim of the year and number 5 on my best of the decade list.
25 12-13-2009 at 3:29 pm
half full said...
It’s nice to see Haneke and In the Loop get some love as runners up. And I would love to see Fantastic Mr. Fox pull in some more Best Animated awards…Up is great and all that, but I don’t think it’s on the same level as Ratatouille/Incredibles/Wall-E. It’s a little anticlimactic that THIS Pixar is the one that’s going to finally get a (admittedly, suddenly more attainable) Best Picture nomination. I’ll take Mr. Fox and Coraline over Up in a heartbeat.
26 12-13-2009 at 3:32 pm
The Other James D. said...
@drew roddy: Cool list, bro.
I had a feeling The Hangover would make the cut. I’m kind of surprised that Star Trek did not though….
Awesome for Sugar and The Messenger! The rest is terrific and solid as well (especially Coraline, which surprised me).
27 12-13-2009 at 3:33 pm
Nel said...
@ The other James D.
But her performance was so visceral and just incredible !!! Ah well …..at least she has some English language recognition.
28 12-13-2009 at 3:33 pm
Chris138 said...
Glad to see The Hurt Locker getting all these awards, still not sure about it’s chances at the Oscars for Best Picture, but pretty I think Kathryn Bigelow has a real good chance of winning Best Director that night.
29 12-13-2009 at 3:34 pm
Cameron said...
Congrats to Bridges, Bigelow and Waltz-I hope they carry through all the way to the end. Glad to see some love for Wes Anderson, too.
30 12-13-2009 at 3:36 pm
Morgan said...
I think however that if two months was an eternity in Oscar politics before, it is even more of an eternity now.
Take Avatar: it hasn’t even opened yet. Expectations for its moneymaking potential are out of sight, yet it remains to be seen if it will be The Biggest Moneymaker Ever or just a really good moneymaker, which could affect its perceived stature by the time the nominations and votes are due.
I think Hurt Locker is shooting its buzz wad right now, sadly. It’s not Slumdog.
I think we still have a couple of buzz (and backlash) cycles left to go before the picture becomes truly clear…
31 12-13-2009 at 3:37 pm
half empty said...
I haven’t seen Seraphine yet, which I plan on correcting eventually and I’m totally willing to accept that Moreau is great in it, but a win here is just fucking contrived. It’s just gimmicky bullshit to set themselves apart from other groups as much as it is support for an little known movie. I guess the latter should justify the former, but I ego stroking pisses me off.
Guy should get a half point for predicting The Maid as it would have been a similar move. He just didn’t predict how obscure they were willing to go.
32 12-13-2009 at 3:39 pm
Morgan said...
Half Empty: The LAFCA has *always* been contrarian in that way (usually not with acting categories, though). I think they’ve always had a good mix of popular favorites and stuff out of left field.
33 12-13-2009 at 3:42 pm
The Other James D. said...
@Nel: I’m glad that she got recognition, too. I always feel some joy when the extremely outside choices get love, as they’re hardworking and deserve it just as much as most anyone else who’s a contender.
If I had my way, and ran my own crix group, Adam Scott would be winning for The Vicious Kind. What an incredible surprise–glee doubled thanks to the random ISA nod.
@half empty: *Yawn* How do you know it’s contrived? You don’t know these voters. They’ve clearly shown throughout the years that their tastes and adoration is more varied. I don’t think there’s any gimmick or nonsense whatsoever.
34 12-13-2009 at 3:42 pm
The Other James D. said...
Are*, not is.
35 12-13-2009 at 3:47 pm
drew roddy said...
@ The Other James D: Thanks bro.
36 12-13-2009 at 3:48 pm
Justin said...
I think the critic’s picks are fun but I don’t think they hold much weight. I’m more interested in seeing who the Globes, SAG, DGA, and the WGA nominate.
37 12-13-2009 at 3:49 pm
Jason said...
Hey, Belmondo!
“Between grief and nothing I will take nothing. Grief is a compromise”
-Breathless
38 12-13-2009 at 4:13 pm
Cameron said...
Internet hi-five to Jason. That takes the sting away from the AFI naming The Hangover one of the Top 10
39 12-13-2009 at 4:15 pm
cineJAB said...
Crazy Heart also had a great day, can’t wait to see that one. By the way this is still JAB, just adjusting the name here to match my new site.
40 12-13-2009 at 4:37 pm
AmericanRequiem said...
well, nine and lovely bones seem to be officialy still births
41 12-13-2009 at 4:45 pm
Morgan said...
Actually, science fiction had a great day…
Best Picture, NY Film Critics: Avatar
New Director, Boston Film Critics: Neill Blomkamp for District 9
New Generation Award, LA Film Critics: Neill Blomkamp, District 9
Production Design, LA Film Critics: District 9 (with Avatar second)
Best Ensemble, Boston Film Critics: Star Trek (tied with Precious)
On top of it all, this year we’ve heard at least a little buzz for *acting* in sci-fi films, with Sam Rockwell (Moon) and Sharlto Copley (District 9).
I’d really like to see some of these films “seal the deal” at Oscar nomination time outside of the usual tech categories.
42 12-13-2009 at 4:48 pm
The Other James D. said...
Just to be clear: It was the NY Film Critics ONLINE–completely separate from the NYFCC, or New York Film Critics Circle.
43 12-13-2009 at 4:53 pm
Morgan said...
Yeah, I was just using shorthand, sorry.
44 12-13-2009 at 5:04 pm
half empty said...
You’re kidding yourself if you think that giving out best actress to Farmiga or Moreau is purely representative of the tastes of this particular voting body. Maybe Moreau had vocal supporters early in the process, but do you really think a significant portion of the group came in today with that performance on their mind? It’s a statement award. And I wasn’t saying it’s something new for them, either. They obviously have a history of making moves like this, which is why I think it’s their gimmick. I find it contrived. It’s as if they have to include at least one award like this every year to set themselves apart. I guess it’s better than giving one to Streep for a fucking Ephron or Meyers movie, though.
So the award basically guarantees that more people see Seraphine. Like I said in my first post, this is probably a good thing. But I think their reasons are more self congratulatory than noble. I hate the idea of critics groups acting as self-conscious Oscar precursors, but as someone who follows are this awards crap, I feel like there was a lost opportunity here. If you want to make a statement, why not go all the way with In the Loop or The White Ribbon? Wins for Capaldi and Haneke, or either of their films, could have started some momentum. And they clearly loved the films.
45 12-13-2009 at 5:11 pm
Guy Lodge said...
“If you want to make a statement, why not go all the way with In the Loop or The White Ribbon?”
Perhaps because the awards aren’t quite as carefully calculated as you claim they are?
46 12-13-2009 at 5:14 pm
Me. said...
The Hurt Locker is the year’s critical darling. Jeff Bridges finally won an award. The White Ribbon has been doing good at all these awards. I wouldn’t be surprised to see nods for Directing and Picture for that film. Invictus hasn’t shown up recently since the NBR and DC.
47 12-13-2009 at 5:16 pm
half empty said...
Bullshit they’re not. Brazil in 1985.
48 12-13-2009 at 5:33 pm
Me. said...
I had the LA winner right. NY will give the Best Picture award to Up in the Air.
NY predictions:
Picture: Up in the Air
Directing: James Cameron – Avatar
Actor: George Clooney – Up in the Air
Actress: Meryl Streep – Julie & Julia
Sup. Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
Sup Actress: Mo’Nique – Precious
Original Screenplay: A Serious Man
Adapted Screenplay: Up in the Air
=D
49 12-13-2009 at 5:36 pm
filmfemme said...
@TheotherJamesD. Re: #42. You answered the EXACT question I had today. The “online” part would explain why “Avatar” won.
Thanks!
50 12-13-2009 at 5:45 pm
JP said...
For me, the state of the race now:
SAFE:
The Hurt Locker
Up in the Air
Precious
99% SAFE:
Avatar (They will nominate at least one blockbuster. So, Avatar is in)
VERY LIKELY
Inglorious Basterds
Invictus
An Education
A Serious Man
FIGHTING FOR THE LAST 2 SPOTS
Up
Nine
The Messenger
A Single Man
(500) Days of Summer
District 9
Crazy Heart
The Last Station
51 12-13-2009 at 5:49 pm
JP said...
Now, how would this race be if there were 5 nominees for best picture. 3 (UITA, THL and Precious) would be locked and the last 2 spots? Would they nominate Avatar or snub just like The Dark Knight? Would An Education be strong enough with the europeans to get in? Would Invictus get in, considering that even with good reviews, people don’t seem to passionate about it? Would A Serious Man, a love it or hate it film, be in? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
52 12-13-2009 at 5:53 pm
Me. said...
To JP
I think the top 5 would be:
“Avatar”
“An Education”
“The Hurt Locker”
“Precious”
“Up in the Air”
53 12-13-2009 at 6:04 pm
Scott Foundas said...
Yes, Half Empty, Seraphine really is “a little known movie”: Nearly $1 million at the U.S. box office (very good for a foreign film these days); an 84 score on Metacritic (including a 4-star Roger Ebert rave); an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes; 7 French Oscars (including for Moreau as Best Actress). Amazing anyone could have remembered that one!
54 12-13-2009 at 6:40 pm
Chad Hartigan said...
red_wine said…
I seriously think now that only sexism will prevent Bigelow from winning the Oscar.
I actually think sexism is coming into play if she DOES win the Oscar. The underlying subtext (and sometimes blatant text) to a bulk of the reviews and interviews commends her for making a man’s movie in the way a man would. For not letting her being a female get in the way more or less. It seems like the ultimate, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em award.
55 12-13-2009 at 6:42 pm
Glenn said...
Why is Half Empty so against a critics group actually thinking outside the box and choosing a winner that isn’t a stock standard, oscar-bait choice? Not everyone thinks the exact same and these critics groups probably choso Moreau as a consensus pick. Some maybe didn’t like Mulligan enough, but they all loved Moreau.
Nothing like awards season to bring out the cynical people. It’s people like half empty who probably throw the word “irrelevant” around anyone who doesn’t put all their pieces into perfect Oscar allignment.
These guys are always my favourite critics group. I love their cinematography choices too. Last year was Zhang Ke-Jia’s “Still Life”, which is a choice everybody should agree with, but who sadly haven’t seen it so they can’t.
56 12-13-2009 at 6:50 pm
Brent said...
Go Foundas!
57 12-13-2009 at 7:07 pm
PJ said...
Strong, interesting picks. Good for them for not following the herd. Hopefully the other critics’ awards will be just as imaginative.
58 12-13-2009 at 7:13 pm
half empty said...
Yes, I am cynical. But I’m not a proponent of critics groups acting as Oscar prognosticators. My problem is actually that these LAFCA winners aren’t far enough outside of the box. If you ignore the runners up, it reads like a standard list of Oscar frontrunners with one token left field choice. The fact that Moreau is the only really surprising winner is what makes it frustrating.
Bring on the irrelevancy, seriously. Give the awards to In the Loop, White Ribbon, Antichrist, 35 Shots of Rum. I wish every awards group would go that route. Maybe if I was less cynical, I would be happy they went for a performance that is so clearly not in play for an Oscar. But I honestly think the award is just an attempt to add color to the rest of their autopilot choices. What the rest of you see as an example of independent thought, I see as posturing from a group that mostly went the boring route.
And Scott, are you seriously suggesting that a film that hasn’t cracked a million in the US is well known here? Or that the French Oscars somehow increase a film’s US profile? Or that Ebert giving a film four stars these days (like Knowing or Watchmen) means a damn thing? It’s not well known outside of film circles. Arguing otherwise makes you sound pretty out of touch. But, once again, it’s the fact that the award is such an aberration in an otherwise dull lineup that’s pissing me off and not the fact that an award was “wasted” on a little film.
59 12-13-2009 at 7:38 pm
Rob said...
“I think we still have a couple of buzz (and backlash) cycles left to go before the picture becomes truly clear…”
I agree. I still maintain that “Precious” is going to have a second wind.
60 12-13-2009 at 7:41 pm
Scott Foundas said...
Damned if we do, damned if we don’t, I guess: Give prizes to thoroughly deserving performers like Bridges and Waltz and the LAFCA is just trying to be an Oscar bellwether; award the equally deserving Moreau and we’re a bunch of calculated boat rockers. Sorry the membership didn’t get your memo early enough to know the correct list of “surprising,” just-obscure-enough-but-not-too-obscure candidates to choose from. Please do call earlier next year.
As for Seraphine, excluding Bollywood releases it ranks among the five highest-grossing foreign-language pictures of the year at the U.S. box office, and has been released in major and minor markets across the country. True, it still may be best known in “film circles,” but considering it has been seen by more people than Julia and The Maid combined (two films considerably more “buzzed about” in advance by the awards season soothsayers), for the purposes of this discussion, it’s a veritable blockbuster–the Avatar of French painter bio-pics.
61 12-13-2009 at 8:17 pm
half empty said...
I never said you were rocking the boat. Don’t take credit for that.
And this: “the Avatar of French painter bio-pics.”
Yeah, that’s still reinforcing everything I’ve said about it being low profile. I don’t think you’re going to change my mind, but you can keep trying.
62 12-13-2009 at 8:38 pm
The Other James D. said...
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l46/cinemaniac86/mj_popcornthriller.gif
(Tried to post as an image, but it doesn’t work.)
63 12-14-2009 at 2:50 am
red_wine said...
Chad: I do agree that she’s (probably) gonna win for a thoroughly manly movie, but atleast its a start. Almodovar has been winning awards for years for making his so-called women’s pictures. I doubt a woman would have been commended for those. Campion for the Piano or Coppola for Lost In translation might have been more desirable but besides all this , I think it remains the best directing job in an American film this year. And should win on its own merit without this weight of history being added to it.