Years ago, following a barbeque, we would gather with a couple of drinks in hand, engaging in discussions about which film we deemed to be the greatest we had ever watched.
The array of fantastic films featuring remarkable stars was limitless. Recently, I tuned into the SAG awards, and what a disappointment it was; the films nominated wouldn’t even have made it to our top fifty selections from that gathering.
This year’s top contender was Lion – a beautifully crafted film with outstanding acting, although somewhat conventional. It could have been produced in significantly less time and stands a chance at the Oscars. However, the Oscars are gradually fading into irrelevance. The films nominated in the last two decades can’t hold a candle to those from the first fifty years.
With twelve nominations, La La Land raises the question of whether this matches the legendary multi-Oscar winners of the past, such as Ben Hur or The Godfather. The only reason to watch the Oscars now seems to be for the red carpet, the hosts, and the visually stunning fashion showcased by beautiful actresses. Sadly, the films feel like they could be tossed aside since they are merely a choice among the mediocre and the subpar. This year is just a continuation of the years of declining quality in nominations.
Lion should perform well, and actresses like Nicole Kidman and Amy Adams delivered stellar performances in their respective films this year. Yet, we find ourselves missing new works from our cherished older actors, like Jack Nicholson and Anthony Hopkins. Clint Eastwood remains active in directing and acting in lovely films – Oh, how we long for the talents of Tracey, Bogart, or even Gable and Wayne, who are sorely missed.
Tom Cruise raises the bar high. Numerous talented young actresses are making their presence felt in the creative film industry, particularly in Australia and Europe, and we hold high expectations from Americans with their rich traditions in stage and screen performances.
Regrettably, it is the films themselves that disappoint, with too many being produced with little to no imagination.
Now, as we sit outside with a drink, reminiscing about the past when films were truly exceptional and actors were real stars, we sadly reflect on the decline of the Oscars. Perhaps it is time to move forward, or at the very least, establish a selection committee to choose only the finest films, worthy of comparison to the Oscars of yesteryear. There should be less focus on politics, a shift from quantity to quality, and a greater emphasis on storytelling, emotion, and style. Maybe a fusion of classics like Casablanca, Snow White, They Died With Their Boots On, Bridge on the River Kwai, Mary Poppins, Gone with the Wind, and Some Like It Hot.
These were merely a few of the films we debated over the BBQ on those cool evenings, passionately arguing about what constituted the best film of all time. I’m certain our choices don’t match what you might consider the best of the best; personally, I lean towards Robin Hood, either the Disney version or Errol Flynn’s portrayal. I long for the nostalgia of those early films watched in the dark, alongside the woman I loved, seated in the back row of the cinema.
The Oscars remind me of icons like Bette Davis, Hepburn, and Brigitte Bardot – though perhaps Bardot isn’t quite Oscar material, I still recall her with fondness… Wow.
by Helena Bryanlith
