With the Oscar nominations finally announced, Jorge takes a deep dive into the nominees for Best Original Screenplay.
We all rose to the crack of dawn on Tuesday morning to hear Tiffany Haddish give the most upbeat and energetic nomination announcements in recent memory. One of the best picked categories was Best Original Screenplay. Even though there were no real surprises, it showcases a range of diversity not often seen: among the nominees is a Pakistani, a Mexican, a black man, and three women. Three of those people were also nominated for Best Director.
So let’s do a quick roundup on the nominees, their writers, their past history with Oscar, and what scene might have helped land them that nomination...
- The Big Sick
(Read the full script here)
Written by: Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani
The elevator pitch: Based on their relationship, a stand-up comedian falls in love with a girl, who in place falls into a coma. Now he must face the tragedy alongside her parents.
Screenplay length: 113 pages
Oscar History: First nomination for both writers
Memorable scene: As a frat boy heckles Kumail during a show, Beth stands up for him, taking his side for the first time.
- Get Out
(Read the full script here)
Written by: Jordan Peele
The elevator pitch: In this satirical look at race relations in America, a black man goes to visit his white girlfriend’s family, where he will soon be unable to escape their evil machinations.
Screenplay length: 99 pages
Oscar History: First nomination for Jordan Peele
Memorable scene: Chris and Rose get pulled over by a cop on the way to her parent’s house. This scene takes on a whole different meaning on second viewing.
- Lady Bird
(Read the full script here)
Written by: Greta Gerwig
The elevator pitch: A coming of age story stretching over the senior year of high school of Lady Bird (a name given to her by her), as she deals with the painful realities of first loves, parents, and becoming herself.
Screenplay length: 114 pages
Oscar History: First nomination for Greta Gerwig
Memorable scene: Lady Bird and her mother go shopping for a prom dress, in which the difficult and complicated shades of their relationship are made evident.
- The Shape of Water
(Read the full script here)
Written by: Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor
The elevator pitch: In the middle of the Cold War, a mute woman discovers a strange experiment in the facility she works in. It’s a fishman that seems to be the only other creature that truly understands her, and an unusual romance ensues.
Screenplay length: 116 pages
Oscar History: First nomination for Vanessa Taylor. Guillermo del Toro was previously nominated in this category in 2007 for Pan’s Labyrinth.
Memorable scene: Elisa and her neighbor Giles have a fight about whether or not to save the creature, in which he has to meticulously translate her arguments.
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
(Read the full script here)
Written by: Martin McDonagh
The elevator pitch: A woman sets up three billboards to confront the police department about the unsolved murder of her daughter, which brings her head to head with the prejudices of the community.
Screenplay length: 83 pages
Oscar History: McDonagh won an Oscar in 2006 for his live action short film Six Shooter, and was nominated in the Original Screenplay category in 2008 for In Bruges.
Memorable scene: Mildred goes to confront Dixon about the questionable decisions of the police department.
Who Should Win: In all honestly, I would be excited with anything except for Three Billboards, as the other nominees display a more honest and immersive sense of identity and unique writing perspective. I have yet to see Lady Bird (I know!), but I think Get Out was one of the most transcendental pieces of art not only this year, but possibly ever. The way the script plays with misdirection, and audience’s expectation, and its mix of genres will be taught in film schools for years.
Will Win: This honestly would be anyone’s game. McDonagh won the Golden Globe, but that felt part of an uninspired sweep. This category is when the Oscars can get more creative and think outside the box (think Her, or Eternal Sunshine, or Juno). I’d put my money in either one of the fresh minds, Gerwig or Peele.
Tune in next week when I take a dive into the adapted category!