By Erin V.
Over the next week we will be having special coverage of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, to be presented on February 27th, 2011. Today until Friday, we will be sharing our more in-depth thoughts on the nominees in ten of the main categories. Check back tomorrow for a look at the Actors & Actresses nominated this year.
The screenwriter has the great challenge of writing onto the 2D page what will have to be transferred into a three-dimensional world. Before the first actor steps on set – before the camera is ever turned on – someone has spent weeks, (often years) writing every word, sound, and action you will hear and see on screen, trying to bring their vision to life.
Like all styles of writing, screenwriters follow the industry standard when writing – using a format as a poet or novelist does – not as a restriction, but as an element to provide familiarity to the reader. The screenplay format allows the piece of writing to be read as the film is watched, and the written page gives us nothing more than what we will see on screen – but also nothing less.
Not everyone can write one, but most of us can recognize one as we recognize a great novel. We inherently know that behind every great film is a great screenplay.
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The nominees for Best Original Screenplay are:
Another Year – Mike Leigh
The Fighter – Screenplay by Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson; Story by Keith Dorrington, Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
Inception – Christopher Nolan
The Kids Are All Right – Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
The King’s Speech – David Seidler
Of this lineup, all are fine entries into the category and deserving of their recognition. But of particular note, are Inception and The King’s Speech.
The nomination for Another Year will be its award on Oscar night, since with the others nominated here, there’s practically no chance at it winning. Still, Mike Leigh should be proud to share a nomination in such a strong field.
The Fighter, is based on the true story of fighter Mickie Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his brother Dickie Eklund (Christian Bale). The script is strong and brought to life by strong performances by its leads and rather than here, that is where the film will likely capture a win – for Christian Bale.
With the next nominee Inception, what impresses me so much with the screenplay, is how easily it could have been a mess. This is a script that written by the wrong hands would have been confusing to read – and impossible to bring to screen. But rather, the quick scene changes and powerful action paragraphs are masterfully written, and although a film best remembered for its visuals, the dialogue is worth noting as well. This screenplay accurately captures the vision behind the film.
The next nominee, The Kids Are All Right, was not a film I cared for as much as some did. As a quiet family drama, the screenplay is well written, although it doesn’t compare to the stronger entries in this category. If this film is recognized on Sunday, I’d say it would also most likely be for its acting and not here.
Then, there’s The King’s Speech. While naturally this is a dialogue driven film, the frequent action lines call very specific attention to tiny details, and without being distracting to read, paint a picture that ultimately helped the film move from ‘good’ to ‘great.’ Like everything about this film, it’s hard to find a flaw in it. It’s a script I enjoyed reading, and if it does take the award – as many expect it to on Oscar night – no one can say it didn’t deserve it.
To conclude, I think if any screenplay here upsets from The King’s Speech, it would be Inception.
Who will win: The King’s Speech
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The nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay are:
127 Hours – Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
The Social Network – Aaron Sorkin
Toy Story 3 – Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich
True Grit – Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
Winter’s Bone – Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
While they are all strong entries into the field, ultimately, I suspect who will win is deservedly The Social Network.
The script for 127 Hours is interesting to read, but also at times harder to follow in its formatting. There is no doubt it is brilliantly written with strong imagery for a film that is basically a ‘one-man-show.’ I enjoyed the book this was based on possibly a little more than the film, but one has to admit that the adaptation for screen worked really well.
Then there is the front runner to win this thing – The Social Network. A film that didn’t take off at the box office as strong as some of the other Best Picture nominees, those who watched it agreed – the script and acting are what carry this film. In a script known for its snappy, quickly paced dialogue, this is showcased strongly right from the start as we read the opening eight-page, completely dialogue driven, brilliantly written scene.
Next on the list is Toy Story 3. Because it is a ‘sequel based on pre-existing characters,’ this one competes in the adapted category, despite an original story. Considering the first film was nominated, it’s no surprise to see this one here. A heartfelt and entertaining completion of the trilogy, the script kept the feeling of the original and ultimately in another year, would have had a chance.
The True Grit script is another example of the Coen brothers’ intelligent writing style, keeping the banter between characters real and sharp-witted at the same time. Based on the John Wayne film from 1969, this was a well-received film from both audiences and critics alike.
Then, there’s the last one. I personally would have not included Winter’s Bone here. While the script is well enough written, I found the whole film overrated. If I’d had a ballot, I personally would have switched this last one out for one of my personal favourites of the year, How To Train Your Dragon (an excellent script), or even The Ghost Writer or Never Let Me Go…
Who will win: The Social Network
The Joy of Movies 