Oscars 2024: The Contenders
The 96th Academy awards take place this Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The announcement of this years nominees got a lot of people talking but perhaps for the wrong reasons. While social media erupted over Barbie being snubbed, despite its 8 nominations, the real injustice came at the expense of Irish talent. Barry Keoghan, Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal all put in Oscar worthy performances but they all missed out. Despite their omissions we do still have high hopes that someone will be bringing a gold statue back to Ireland. Cillian Murphy is favourite to win Best Actor for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer. If he was to win, he would be the first Irish person to win an acting Oscar since Brenda Fricker in 1989. Here is a look at some of the main contenders at this years Academy Awards.
Oppenheimer
The story of the man who developed the atomic bomb is all set to be the big winner this year. With 13 nominations, Christophers Nolan’s biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer is a strong contender in almost every category. Irish eyes will be watching with great interest as Cillian Murphy looks almost certain to take home the Best Actor statuette, it would be one of the biggest upsets in recent years if he doesn’t. Robert Downey JR is favourite to win the Best Supporting Actor award and director Christopher Nolan will probably have a few speeches prepared as he is likely to be collecting the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director.
Poor Things
Bella Baxter is a young woman brought back to life by eccentric genius Dr Godwin Baxter. She has no memories of her life before death and looks at the world with childlike wonder and amazement. The film is odd, quirky and at times unsettling, which is exactly how director Yorgos Lanthimos planned it. Emma Stone’s performance as the newly revived Bella is captivating and makes her a real contender for the Best Actress Oscar. There is also some Irish interest in this film as it was produced and developed by Dublin based Element Pictures. Poor Things is nominated for 11 Oscars in total including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design and Best Director.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorsese’s latest outing takes us to 1920s Oklahoma where members of the wealthy Osage Indian tribe are being murdered one by one. These murders eventually attract the attention of the FBI who begin to investigate. At 3 hours and 26 minutes it can be a tough watch at times but it is shot beautifully. Like all Scorsese films there is plenty of Academy Award buzz around Killers of the Fower Moon which managed to get 10 nominations. Most of that buzz is around lead actress Lily Gladstone who could make history as the first Native American to win an acting Oscar.
Barbie
I never thought I would be adding a Barbie movie to a list of potential Oscar winners but that is what happens when someone like Greta Gerwig directs. On the surface this is a comedy film about a doll but you don’t have to look very hard to finds it’s not so subtle themes of equality, female empowerment and existentialism. Whilst Barbie is unlikely to challenge for the Best Picture award, it will more than likely be walking away with the golden statue for Best Original Song.
The Holdovers
An unlikely trio are forced to spend their Christmas together at an expensive prep school as they have nowhere else to go over the festive period. An unpopular, cranky teacher, a rebellious student and the head cook form a real bond as they try to make the most of a bad situation. The Holdovers received 5 nominations in total including Best Actor for Paul Giamatti. But it is the performance of Da’Vine Joy Randolph that has got everyone talking. She looks like an absolute shoo-in for the Best Supporting Actress award.
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