Maggie Gyllenhaal wins the Scripter for 'The Lost Daughter'
Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 8:38AM by Nathaniel R
Gyllenhaal at a screeing for The Lost Daughter in December
The USC Scripter Awards are an annual event that is a gala fundraiser for the USC Libraries. This year Maggie Gyllenhaal was the big winner in what some might regard as an upset over Jane Campion. We think it's less than surprising though since the Scripters also recognize the author of the source material and Elena Ferrante would hold much more appeal to current voters than Thomas Savage for a book that isn't as famous as its cinematic counterpoint. Whether Gyllenhaal can upset at the Oscars is a different story...
FILM NOMINEES
- Dune (screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts and Denis Villeneuve)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Frank Herbert) - ★ The Lost Daughter (screenwriter Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Elena Ferrante) - Passing (screenwriter Rebecca Hall)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Nella Larsen) - The Power of the Dog (screenwriter Jane Campion)
Based on the novel of the same name (author Thomas Savage) - The Tragedy of Macbeth (screenwriter Joel Coen)
Based on the play Macbeth (playwright William Shakespeare)
The winner of this prize goes on to the Oscar win a smidgeon less than half the time. Call Me Your Name (2017) four seasons ago was the most recent double-winner. It is surely possible that Gyllenhaal breaks the recent streak and wins the Oscar, especially if voters feel like spreading the wealth with Jane Campion likely to take Best Director. If Gyllenhaal does triumph again it'll be hard won since The Power of the Dog is looking like the frontrunner on Oscar night. Given that it will surely win at least a statue or two beyond Director and Picture.
Related: Oscar's Best Adapted Screenplay nominations
EPISODIC NOMINEES
- ★ Dopesick episode “The People vs. Purdue Pharma” (writer Danny Strong)
Based on the nonfiction book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company That Addicted America (author Beth Macy) - Maid episode “Dollar Store” (writer Molly Smith Metzler)
Based on the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will to Survive (author Stephanie Land) - Station Eleven episode “Wheel of Fire” (writer Patrick Somerville)
Based on the novel Station Eleven (author Emily St. John Mandel) - The Underground Railroad episode “Indiana Winter” (writer Barry Jenkins)
Based on the novel The Underground Railroad (author Colson Whitehead) - WandaVision episode “Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience” (writer Jac Schaeffer)
Based on Marvel Comics (characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby)
Danny Strong has become an awards magnet since his days as a villain on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He's won two Emmys, two WGA prizes, and the PGA. He's even been nominated for the NAACP Image Awards and the DGA. Past writing and/or producing credits include Game Change, Recount, Empire, and Lee Daniels The Butler
This award is just five years old but has aligned very strongly with Emmy favor. The past winners were People vs OJ Simpson, The Handmaid's Tale (first season), A Very English Scandal, Fleabag (2nd season), and The Queen's Gambit. In other words: we expect Dopesick to be a big hit at the Emmys this fall.
LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
(Non Competitive)
- ★ Barry Jenkins for his contributions to cinematic storytelling
Reader Comments (11)
I do think The Lost Daughter is the potential upset in Best Adapted Screenplay, but it would still be just that: an upset. Other than this Scripter win, what has me thinking there’s at least a chance it happens is that Maggie Gyllenhaal seems to be so well liked (and having met her on multiple occasions, I can confirm she’s super nice), and some voters might rather use this opportunity to give her an Oscar instead of giving Jane Campion two (since she’s a lock for Best Director). But I still think Power of the Dog is a heavy frontrunner here.
Just curious, what do you think Power of the Dog’s total win count will be? I’m currently thinking 5, but it could really be as low as 3 or as high as 8.
Edwin -- i'm currently thinking it wins 5 it feels like its running 1st or 2nd in every category but right on the line in all meaning it could win a lot or lose a lot. Depends on how much they want to spread the wealth.
LOCK
Director
WIN IN VIEW
Picture
Adapted Screenplay
Supporting Actor (Smit-McPhee)
SOLID SHOT
Cinematography
Score
LONGER SHOT BUT POSSIBLE
Editing
Supporting Actress
Actor
WON'T HAPPEN
Sound
Production Design
Supporting Actor (Plemons)
My money is on Gyllenhaal for Adapted Screenplay.
Campion has a win or two coming her way but the Academy didn't suddenly become Church of Campion worshippers who need to give her three in one night.
More than a few members of the actors' branch will go for Gyllenhaal here—I think they'll spread the wealth. It's rare to have a star like her in one of these categories.
And it helps that it's a solo nomination, unlike "Bradley Cooper with co-writers" or "The Before Sunset Team" or "George Clooney with co-writers."
As much as I like The Lost Daughter, I so wish Passing was getting the attention this year. Rebecca Hall is equally deserving of the actress-turned-writer/director accolades and had a much trickier story to pull off IMO. Not to mention some egregious past acting snubs. All that said, and since she's not in the race, I'd be very happy with either Maggie or Jane winning.
Let's not forget Gerwig lost the Oscar and she was also a big star and sort of the frontrunner for that category (alongside Waititi, who ended up winning for a less acclaimed film). I don't think Maggie has this and agree with Nathaniel that The Power of the Dog will end up winning 5: Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Screenplay and... Score?
Are we all forgetting The Lost Daughter isn't nominated for Best Picture? No film has won Screenplay without a Best Picture nomination since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in 2004 (which means none since the Best Picture category expanded)... so, this is a long shot...
GO MAGGIE!!!! She's the superior Gyllenhaal. Why? She never did a movie with Michael Bay.
It's what she deserves.
Picture - CODA, maybe Belfast, but now CODA is the frontrunner.
Director - Campion, The Power of the Dog (watch out for DGA though)
Actor - Smith, King Richard
Actress - Chastain, Tammy Faye or Cruz, Parallel Mothers (everyone else, is behind)
S. Actorr - Katsur, CODA (maybe Smit-MacPhee)
S. Actress - DeBose
Adapted - CODA
Original - Belfast
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I feel Drive My Car is the potential spoiler in Adapted Screenplay not TLD.