The last two Oscar players have screened and they potentially have turned the season on its head. You can decern our thoughts on the impressive “Vice” separately, but the curious case of “Mary Poppins Returns” needs its own moment in the spotlight.
Rob Marshall’s sequel to the 1964 classic is set 25 years later with Emily Blunt reprising the role as the mischievous nanny who has returned to assist the now grown up Banks children, Michael and Jane (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer), as well as Michael’s own offspring. That’s as close as we can go to describing the film without this being a review, which it is not.
The good news is that Blunt is absolutely superb and her performance puts her smack dab in the middle of the Best Actress race. Could she win? There is a ton of competition from “A Star is Born’s” Lady Gaga and “The Favourite’s” Olivia Colman, but she could be the surprise late arrival. Despite the crowded field, Blunt could easily win both SAG and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. That might make her too formidable for any BAFTA win for local favorite Coleman to slow down. Needless to say, the Actress race just became considerably more interesting.
“Mary Poppins Returns” could also send a familiar face back to the Dolby Theater, none other than Meryl Streep. The legendary actress doesn’t have a huge role but she toplines one major musical number and it also just happens to be one of the most memorable of the picture. And, of course, she’s Meryl so she’s great in it. The Best Supporting Actress race is a minefield where three to four incredible performances will miss the cut for Oscar, but no one should discount Streep sneaking in. Her singing and dancing are just too impressive to discount because she already has 21 nominations and three wins.
Pulitzer, Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Jack, a lamplighter who was a young apprentice of Bert (Dick Van Dyke) in the original film. Miranda is very good, but we’re not sure its enough to make waves in the Best Supporting Actor race. That being said, as a lead submission for the Golden Globes he’s a lock for a Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy nod.
In terms of crafts, the production design from John Myhre is gorgeous and should easily make the cut. Sandy Powell‘s costumes also seem like a given and that means she could end up with two nominations in a single year again with her incredible work on display in “The Favourite” also in consideration (she earned nods for both “Carol” and “Cinderella” in 2016).
Marc Shaiman’s score is beautiful but his collaboration with Scott Wittman in terms of the songs are a mixed bag. Let’s be clear, though. There is no chance in hell “Mary Poppins Returns” isn’t getting a song nomination. The two submissions are “Trip A Little Light Fantastic” and “The Place Where The Lost Things Go.” Those songs are solid, but there are two other songs and numbers (a full list of the song titles were not provided) which were more impactful. One specifically themed around an “open book” which is perhaps the best number in the movie. Again, Shaiman and Wittman are going to earn Oscar nods, but let’s just say we’re concerned over the choices.
And that leaves us with Picture and Director. As someone who hasn’t always been a Rob Marshall fan, he deserves huge kudos for having the guts to tackle a sequel to such a beloved classic. Moreover, the musical numbers in “Returns” are arguably much more impressive and creative than what he fashioned in the too-stagey “Into the Woods” (although “Trip the Light” has its moments). Marshall likely won’t crack the Best Director five with such tremendous competition, but will no doubt earn a ton of respect from his peers for pulling it off.
As for Best Picture, we’re going to be completely frank. We have not heard such divergent thoughts on a film’s Best Picture chances in forever. Based on seeing the film and the rest of the field we personally think there is just an outside chance for a nomination. There is a path where it could certainly land one and it’s not easy. On the other hand, we know of two well-regarded Academy members (who know a little about winning Best Picture) who attended the AMPAS screening on Sunday morning and not only do they think it will get nominated, but they think it will win.
Need a second to breathe? There with you.
Winning Best Picture is usually about eliciting an emotional reaction from members. That’s what happened to these particular viewers and we know of a few others who were also driven to tears at the end. Contrast that to the screening I attended where there was applause during the screening (a certain familiar face already teased in the trailer shows up), but no one seemed overly euphoric or emotional. And, before you accuse me of being cold-hearted please note I had to stop myself from unexpectedly bawling at the end of “On the Basis of Sex.” Other respected voices I’ve canvassed also think it’s a borderline Best Picture player, but if there is enough passion behind it? Watch out.
“Mary Poppins Returns” opens nationwide on Dec. 19
