Awards donât matter, or so they say. We as moviegoers vow these incidental trinkets and baubles are just important to Hollywood. We pretend that there is no meaning to them with each passing year. But yet we still talk about them, using this line of thinking. Just who are we trying to convince? I, for one, have sat on this theoretical fence.
When âThe Silence of the Lambsâ came out, it was the first year I felt invested in that thrill. The excitement, glitz and glamor filled my imagination. But over time, even some past winners have soured me. Cynical teen years gave way to more pragmatic adult ones. With the Golden Globes now passed us, let us take a gander at some winners and (potential) Oscar hopefuls.
Now on Hulu, Lee Danielsâ âThe United States vs Billie Holidayâ tells the jazz singerâs story. Based on a portion of âChasing The Screamâ by Johann Hari, Daniels presents how the FBI targeted Holiday over the song âStrange Fruitâ using her drug abuse. Also in doing so, agents thought they would get her to rat out her suppliers. Andra Day, with her voice and performance, breathes life into Lady Day. She, simply, melts into her much like ReneĂ© Zellweger did in âJudyâ or Marion Cotillard did in âLe vie en rose.â This level of acting is what the Academy eats up, and deservingly so. âMoonlightââs Trevante Rhodes plays an FBI agent that takes a liking to Holiday. Daniels directing can be spotty in places; the narrative darting from one thing to the next. But Day is the main showcase here.
Also on Hulu, Chloe Zhao treats us to another look at a more modern story. âNomadlandâ has a unique take on a very real situation, that of those living out of vans and RVs when they lose their homes. Partially using Jessica Bruderâs 2017 exposĂ© as a blueprint, director Zhao and actress Frances McDormand create the character of Fern out of whole cloth. Using the real life shutdown of a mining town following the financial collapse, Fern must rough-it on the road and take jobs with Amazon and tourist rest stops in order to survive. However, the people she meets along the way (save for David Strathairn and few others) are actual people that Bruder met while traveling herself.
This brand of authenticity gives the film its character, blending fiction and documentary. Films like this have cropped up in the 21st century from the work of Sean Baker (âTangerineâ, âThe Florida Projectâ) to Ramin Bahrani(âMan Push Cartâ, âChop Shopâ). A sort of new millennial form of neorealism, if you will. So glad to see more of this genre recognized. The breathtaking cinematography and candid conversations between McDormand and the non-actors make this a must watch.
Over on HBO Max, âJudas and the Black Messiahâ is the first feature after âWonder Woman 1984â that will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming platform. Thankfully the film doesnât lose much on a smaller screen. The assassination of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton is told through the lens of FBI informant Bill OâNeal. Even those aware of Chicago history will be fascinated by the details revealed herein. Shaka King makes his feature debut and we wonât soon forget it. King learned from masters like Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese, whose âThe Departedâ is clearly cited as an influence. Lakeith Stanfield is great as OâNeil, all twitchy nerves over possibilities of getting caught by the Panthers or an FBI agent whom has charges hanging over him. But the draw here is Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton; the swagger and bravado dripping from his every word. You can see why so many believed he could save their community. This is one of many great performances in all these films. Do check it out before it leaves March 14. Happy Viewing, indeed!
