Despite studios moving films such as Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” remake out of the calendar year and questions about whether some films will actually hit theaters, there are still new Oscar contenders being revealed for critics and AMPAS members alike. Over the past 48 hours, Netflix virtually screened Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” for select media, and A24 and Apple debuted Sofia Coppola’s “On the Rocks” at the 2020 New York Film Festival. Each will contribute something to the extended awards season looming ahead of us.
READ MORE: Chloe Zhao and Frances McDormand ready to break Oscar voters hearts with “Nomadland”
Quite simply, “Chicago 7,” a retelling of a jaw-dropping miscarriage of American justice, is the movie we expected it to be. A strong script from Sorkin (very much an Original Screenplay contender), a SAG Awards ensemble dream, and perhaps too many Supporting Actor performances to pick from. What we didn’t expect was such a fantastically edited production. So much so that Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Alan Baumgarten (“American Hustle”) often elevates the picture from what could have been, at worst, a “prestige” TV movie into something more noteworthy when all is said and done. Sure, Baumgarten is working within the dynamics of Sorkin’s script, but his cutting often makes you move past the picture’s obvious aesthetic shortcomings. Oh, and of course, the cast helps, too.
For SAG members and the Academy’s acting branch, there are really four standout performances: Sacha Baron Cohen, recent Emmy-winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Frank Langella, and Mark Rylance. Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, and Michael Keaton (with very little screen time) are also notable, but can’t really compete with their co-stars when it comes to potential accolades. It’s possible Redmayne, who plays Tom Hayden, could be positioned as a Best Actor contender, but that may be a tough sell (Netflix may have nothing to lose by doing so, however). Even in what is likely a diminished Oscar field it may be difficult to snag more than two nominations in one category. The last time it happened for Supporting Actor was both “The Godfather” and “The Godfather, Part II” in 1973 and 1975, respectively. It last occurred in the Supporting Actress race in 1964 for “Tom Jones.” That’s certainly rare, but not unheard of. Can Netflix pull it off 46 years later? Can’t hurt to try.
The best news for Sorkin and Netflix is they likely have a Best Picture nominee with “Chicago 7” (we’re slightly concerned about how it will play with international voters and the true cinephiles). It’s not a slam dunk like “Nomadland” or, potentially, “Minari,” but the way the race is shaping up its got a better than even chance. And the streamer will absolutely take those odds.
The other film that stepped into the spotlight this week was “Rocks,” a decidedly different direction from Coppola’s last film, “The Beguiled,” three years ago. A dramedy centered on Laura (Rashida Jones), a writer stuck in a rut and drowning in her children while her husband Dean (Marlon Wayans), is constantly traveling to grow his start-up business. When Laura thinks Dean might be having an affair, her father (Bill Murray), encourages her to go on some crazy adventures to investigate. The strength of Coppola’s Original Screenplay contender is that at its heart, the picture is much more about Laura and her father’s relationship than anything else. And whether Dean is actually cheating or not is secondary.
“Rocks” is hitting limited release on Oct. 2, but should become a word of mouth hit when it lands on Apple TV+ on Oct. 24. A partial love letter to New York City, it’s tone is just balanced between genuine drama and light farce to enough help you forget about the fact the real world is literally on fire in some places. That tone will help Murray who has his best shot at an Oscar nomination since his lauded performance in Coppola’s breakout, “Lost in Translation.” Is he still sort of playing himself or his public persona? I mean, sure, but somehow Murray, like the movie, makes you forget that enough to see the true depth in his character.
Depending on the rest of the field, “On the Rocks” could be a Golden Globe player in three Comedy or Musical categories. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” will, obviously, be a Globe player as well.
Films still scheduled for release that are expected Oscar players and have not been screened yet include David Fincher’s “Mank,” George Clooney’s “The Midnight Sky,” George C. Wolfe’s “Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom,” Paul Greengrass’ “News of the World,” Lee Daniels’ “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” Todd McCarthy’s “Stillwater,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” and the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect,” among others.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” debuts on Netflix on Oct. 16. “On the Rocks” hits limited release on Oct. 2 and arrives on Apple TV+ on Oct. 24.
