THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120041
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAL VINCENT, ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
LENGTH: 240 lines
OSCAR, usually the elusive golden statuette that honors the famous, took a deep, perhaps forced, bow to the little guys Tuesday with the announcement of the annual nominations that begin moviegoers' favorite guessing game.
More than any Oscar race in history, this one features little movies and actors who are decidedly less than household names. For a change, good movies, as opposed to big movies, were nominated.
It was a big day for independent movies, but not for ``Independence Day,'' the year's biggest box office hit, and a film that represents the sock-it-to-'em explosion conscious mentality of the bankers who now run Hollywood and what is left of the big studios.
``The English Patient,'' the most nominated movie, was turned down by 20th Century-Fox because it was not thought to be commercial, and because it had no big stars associated with it. Now, both its stars (Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas) are nominated for Oscars. The other two nomination leaders, ``Fargo'' and ``Shine,'' are both quirky art-house entries.
Tom Cruise (for ``Jerry Maguire'') is the only superstar to earn a nomination. Madonna (``Evita'') didn't make it. Neither did the highly touted Hollywood veteran who was making a comeback, Debbie Reynolds, who was considered a shoo-in for her role in ``Mother.''
A race-by-race look at the big winners, with a nod of condolence to those who didn't make it:
BEST PICTURE: ``The English Patient,'' ``Shine,'' ``Fargo,'' ``Secrets and Lies,'' ``Jerry Maguire''
``Patient,'' with all the sweep and romance of a traditional Oscar winner, was expected. So were ``Shine,'' the ``can do'' little movie from Australia, and ``Fargo,'' the quirky comedy-murder from the Coen brothers. The other two spots had been in doubt. ``Evita'' was considered to have a good chance, for its innovation in bringing pop opera to the screen. Most regrettable is the fact that ``Lone Star,'' a drama of smalltown Americana set, didn't make it. The film didn't get a wide audience, but then, neither have some of the other nominees.
The lone big-studio nominee is ``Jerry Maguire'' (over-rated but a box office bonanza). The surprise here is ``Secrets and Lies,'' a little film from England about a black woman who is seeking the identity of her birth-mother. Highly praised for its acting, there was speculation on whether the film had the force to get into the ``best picture'' race.
Something of a surprise is the fact that ``The People vs. Larry Flynt'' didn't make the ``best picture'' list. It was a big winner with the Golden Globes. The material, though, deals with the life of the famous pornographer. Perhaps Oscar wanted to blush a little - a different complexion for the statuette.
BEST ACTRESS: Brenda Blethyn in ``Secrets and Lies,'' Frances McDormand in ``Fargo,'' Kristin Scott Thomas in ``The English Patient,'' Emily Watson in ``Breaking the Waves,'' Diane Keaton in ``Marvin's Room''
For the first time in years, there were stronger roles for women than for men. This was a wide-open category to predict. Blethyn, who plays the blubbering drunkard mother who learns about life, and her own worth, from her newfound daughter, was a certainty. So was McDormand, as an efficient police officer. Scott Thomas' aristocratic lover, although tame and rather stiff, was expected. The other two were not. Diane Keaton is something of a surprise; it was expected that the voters might turn to their usual favorite, her co-star Meryl Streep, in the same film - or that the two co-stars would cancel each other out.
The inclusion of Emily Watson, who plays a woman who talks to God and has sex with a variety of men, was an uncertainty (This, by the way, is the best performance of the year, no matter in what category). Her film, ``Breaking the Waves,'' is three hours long and was considered a bit eccentric for Academy tastes. She adds particular class to the list.
The big shocker was the exclusion of Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds, a Hollywood veteran, made a major comeback this year with ``Mother.'' She was considered a shoo-in for a nomination.
The other big loser was Madonna. Prospects for her nomination, for ``Evita,'' had been iffy. She, however, won the Golden Globe, and had a good chance here. Among the others not mentioned are Shirley MacLaine in ``The Evening Star'' and Kate Winslet in ``Jude.'' Winona Ryder's role as the wild teen troublemaker in ``The Crucible'' was a leading contender several months ago, but seemed to lose out when the film bombed at the box office. Gwyneth Paltrow in ``Emma'' lost momentum because the film was released so early in the year.
BEST ACTOR: Geoffrey Rush in ``Shine,'' Woody Harrelson in ``The People vs. Larry Flynt,'' Ralph Fiennes in ``The English Patient,'' Tom Cruise in ``Jerry Maguire,'' Billy Bob Thornton in ``Sling Blade''
The big losers here were Liam Neeson in ``Michael Collins'' (an epic film that just didn't make it at the box office) and Denzel Washington in ``Courage Under Fire'' (a good role, but not a stellar one). Daniel Day Lewis's role in ``The Crucible'' was unjustly omitted; he was certainly better than either Fiennes or Cruise. Others who had chances were Kenneth Branagh in ``Hamlet'' and Ron Rifkin in ``The Substance of Fire.''
The big winner, and a surprise win it is, is Billy Bob Thornton in ``Sling Blade.'' He joins frontrunner Rush in playing a ``mentally challenged'' character. It's a Forrest Gump-type character, but it's a small, low-budget little drama - the kind that, in other years, would have been considered unlikely. ``Sling Blade'' has not been released locally, but will be soon.
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Edward Norton in ``Primal Fear,'' Cuba Gooding Jr. in ``Jerry Maguire,'' William H. Macy in ``Fargo,'' Armin Mueller-Stahl in ``Shine,'' James Woods in ``The Ghosts of Mississippi''
Norton (who also was highly praised in ``The People vs. Larry Flynt'' and ``Everyone Says I Love You'') was the dramatic newcomer of the year. He was a shoo-in. So was Cuba Gooding Jr. (``Show me the money'') who stole ``Jerry Maguire'' (what there was to steal) from Tom Cruise.
Both Woods and Mueller-Stahl were something of surprises, not because they weren't strong entries, but because the competition was so fierce. Most shocking was the omission of a truly fine performance, Paul Scofield in ``The Crucible.''
Those not making the list include Noah Taylor (as the young pianist) in ``Shine,'' Samuel L. Jackson in ``A Time to Kill,'' Derek Jacobi in ``Hamlet,'' Steve Buscemi in ``Fargo'' and Robert De Niro in ``Marvin's Room.''
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Joan Allen in ``The Crucible,'' Lauren Bacall in ``The Mirror Has Two Faces,'' Juliette Binoche in ``The English Patient,'' Barbara Hershey in ``The Portrait of a Lady,'' Marianne Jean-Baptiste in ``Secrets and Lies.''
This is often a category for new names and Renee Zellweger was the newcomer of the year, in ``Jerry Maguire.'' She didn't make it. Neither did Frances McDormand or Elizabeth Pena in ``Lone Star'' or Queen Latifah in ``Set It Off.''
Most obviously missing, though, is the critically acclaimed dramatic debut of Courtney Love in ``The People vs. Larry Flynt.'' The Academy, apparently wants to see her in a few more roles before it decides if she were really acting.
Marian Ross in ``The Evening Star,'' largely expected to be nominated, was apparently the victim of ``The Evening Star'' failing at the box office.
BEST DIRECTOR: Joel Coen for ``Fargo,'' Scott Hicks for ``Shine,'' Milos Forman for ``The People vs. Larry Flynt,'' Anthony Minghella for ``The English Patient,'' Mike Leigh for ``Secrets and Lies''
It happens every year - one of the ``best picture'' nominees always seems to be left off the list of ``best directors.'' This year, the oddity is that Cameron Crowe was not nominated for ``Jerry Maguire,'' although his film was. Milos Forman, nominated for ``Larry Flynt,'' even though the film wasn't, has won twice before - for ``One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest'' and ``Amadeus.''
Alan Parker was considered to have a chance for ``Evita.''
The most regrettable omission, though, is John Sayles for ``Lone Star.''
FOREIGN FILM: ``A Chef in Love,'' Georgia; ``Kolya,'' Czech Republic; ``The Other Side of Sunday,'' Norway; ``Prisoner of the Mountains,'' Russia; ``Ridicule,'' France.
SCREENPLAY (written directly for the screen): Ethan Coen & Joel Coen, ``Fargo''; Cameron Crowe, ``Jerry Maguire''; John Sayles, ``Lone Star''; Mike Leigh, ``Secrets & Lies''; Jan Sardi and Scott Hicks, ``Shine.''
One of the few recognitions for ``Lone Star.''
SCREENPLAY (based on material previously produced or published): Arthur Miller, ``The Crucible''; Anthony Minghella, ``The English Patient''; Kenneth Branagh, ``Hamlet''; Billy Bob Thornton, ``Sling Blade''; John Hodge, ``Trainspotting.''
The Academy couldn't resist nominating a legendary ``name'' like Arthur Miller, even though it turned thumbs down on ``The Crucible'' in most other categories. ``Sling Blade's'' power with the voters is something of a surprise, although the film is certainly deserving.
ART DIRECTION: ``The Birdcage,'' ``The English Patient,'' ``Evita,'' ``Hamlet,'' ``William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.''
CINEMATOGRAPHY: ``The English Patient,'' ``Evita,'' ``Fargo,'' ``Fly Away Home,'' ``Michael Collins.''
This category traditionally favors sweeping landscapes, and so it is this year. Those geese flying to Virginia in ``Fly Away Home'' even made it (even though none of the skies seen in the film are actually above Virginia). The desert sands of ``The English Patient'' are likely to reign in this category).
SOUND: ``The English Patient,'' ``Evita,'' ``Independence Day,'' ``The Rock,'' ``Twister.''
Finally, the box office hit films are heard from. And who can deny that ``Twister'' was loud, or ``Independence Day?'' But none of them could equal the present remastering of ``Star Wars'' for digital sound.
SOUND EFFECTS EDITING: ``Daylight,'' ``Eraser,'' ``The Ghost and the Darkness.''
Can you believe, ``Daylight'' and ``Eraser'' actually got Oscar nominations? Those were two of the year's films that most needed editing - and not just sound.
ORIGINAL MUSICAL OR COMEDY SCORE: ``Emma,'' Rachel Portman; ``The First Wives Club,'' Marc Shaiman; ``The Hunchback of Notre Dame,'' Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz; ``James and the Giant Peach,'' Randy Newman; ``The Preacher's Wife,'' Hans Zimmer.
Does anyone remember the music in ``The First Wives Club''? Can the Disney club win yet again? This category was created back when Hollywood regularly churned out musicals. It should be abolished.
ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE: ``The English Patient,'' Gabriel Yared; ``Hamlet,'' Patrick Doyle; ``Michael Collins,'' Elliot Goldenthal; ``Shine,'' David Hirschfelder; ``Sleepers,'' John Williams.
Does Sergei Rachmaninoff get any credit for ``Shine''? The ``Rach 3,'' the third piano concerto, is not in competition but if Hirchsfelder wins, he should thank Rach. That murky music in ``Sleepers''? There must have been something more rousing, and, of course, it is ``The English Patient.''
ORIGINAL SONG: ``Because You Loved Me'' from ``Up Close and Personal,'' Diane Warren; ``For the First Time'' from ``One Fine Day,'' James Newton Howard, Jud J. Friedman and Allan Dennis Rich; ``I Finally Found Someone'' from ``The Mirror Has Two Faces,'' Barbra Streisand, Marvin Hamlisch, Bryan Adams and Robert ``Mutt'' Lange; ``That Thing You Do!'' from ``That Thing You Do!,'' Adam Schlesinger; ``You Must Love Me'' from ``Evita,'' Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Try humming any of these - it might be a challenge. Can the Academy possibly resist the chance to give an award to Broadway's top two composers, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber? Probably not. This was the only new song they wrote for the film version of ``Evita.''
COSTUME: ``Angels and Insects,'' ``Emma,'' ``The English Patient,'' ``Hamlet,'' ``The Portrait of a Lady.''
This always goes to period films. Gwyneth Paltrow did look quite fetching in those ``Emma'' frocks.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: ``The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story,'' ``Mandela,'' ``Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse,'' ``Tell The Truth and Run: George Seldes and the American Press,'' ``When We Were Kings.''
This much-maligned category made news in recent years when ``My Brother's Keeper'' and ``Hoop Dreams'' didn't get nominated. The voters here like to nominate things no one ever heard of. This year, they're on safer ground. ``When We Were Kings'' had its world premiere at New York's Radio City Musical Hall the very night of the nominations. Perfect timing.
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT): ``Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien,'' ``Cosmic Voyage,'' ``An Essay on Matisse,'' ``Special Effects,'' ``The Wild Bunch: An Album in Montage.''
FILM EDITING: ``The English Patient,'' ``Evita,'' ``Fargo,'' ``Jerry Maguire,'' ``Shine.''
MAKEUP: ``Ghosts of Mississippi,'' ``The Nutty Professor,'' ``Star Trek: First Contact.''
ANIMATED SHORT FILMS: ``Canhead,'' ``La Salla,'' ``Quest,'' ``Wat's Pig.''
LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM: ``De Tripas, Corazon,'' ``Dear Diary,'' ``Ernst & Lyset,'' ``Esposados,'' ``Wordless.''
This category is always a tie-breaker in the office pool every year. It's a throwback to the era when theaters, regularly, showed short subjects before the main feature. Why does the Academy still keep it?
VISUAL EFFECTS: ``Dragonheart,'' ``Independence Day,'' ``Twister.''
The envelopes will be opened on March 24. ILLUSTRATION: OSCAR NOMINATIONS
KRT GRAPHIC
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
SOURCE: News reports
Madonna did not get nominated for her role as Evita Peron.
Nor did Debbie Reynolds receive a nomination for her role in
"Mother."
MIRAMAX
Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas were nominated for best actor
and best actress for their roles in ``The English Patient,'' a
nominee for best picture.
GRAMERCY PICTURES
Frances McDormand, who was nominated for best actress, starred as a
pregnant police chief pursuing murder suspects in ``Fargo,'' a
best-picture nominee.
FINELINE FEATURES
Geoffrey Rush and ``Shine,'' the film in which he portrays a
tormented pianist, were both Oscar nominees.