Who Would Win–Who Should Win
Or How Would I Vote?
The likely winners versus the most deserving winners, respectively, ahead of the 94th Oscar show this Sunday, March 27.
Good or mediocre, long or short, make sure to watch the Oscar telecast!
Best Picture
WILL WIN: CODA
In the Academy’s history, only 10 films have ever received more nominations than The Power of the Dog, this year’s leader with 12.
Photo: Cast of CODA
But it’s a polarizing film that may not play as well on the Academy’s preferential ballot as CODA, the story and cast of which charms everyone.
Either film would become the third female-directed best picture and first ever from a streamer.
SHOULD WIN: Drive My Car
No film is more deserving than Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s masterwork about processing grief through art and unexpected human connection, in this case between a middle-aged director and the younger lover of his late wife.
Based on a Murakami short story, enriched with strands of Chekhov, this is a gracefully multi-nuanced meditation that takes its time to develop its characters and ultimately gain its considerable emotional power.
My ranking of the 10 Best Picture nominees by overall artistic quality:
1. Drive My Car, A
2. The Power of the Dog, A
3. CODA, A-
4. Dune, A-
5. Tick Tick Boom, B+
6. King Richard, B+
7. West Side Story, B
8. Belfast, B
9. Nightmare Alley, B-
10. Don’t Look Up, C (*1/2*)
One of the worst films in Oscar’s history to be ever nominated for Best Picture.
