Chicago Film Critics Name 'The Tree of Life' Best of 2011

Chicago Film Critics Name ‘The Tree of Life’ Best of 2011

December 19, 2011

By Brad Brevet

Just as much as The Artist and The Descendants are beginning to look like the top contenders for Best Picture, The Tree of Life is looking more and more like a possible Best Picture nominee after I had it down and out for so long. The Chicago Film Critics Association has named Terrence Malick‘s film the Best Picture of 2011 and also awarded it Best Director, Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain) and Best Cinematography.

Can Malick’s experimental and very personal feature end up on the final list of Oscar nominees in the Best Picture category? Also, after the Satellite Awards yesterday this is the second time we’ve seen Jessica Chastain named for her role in the film as Best Supporting Actress, any chance that run continues?

It was pretty much usual suspects in other categories though I’m sure many will be happy to find Michael Shannon‘s name in the Best Actor category for his role in Take Shelter and I’m beginning to wonder if the Academy may actually consider Cliff Martinez’s score for Drive in the Best Original Score category. Enough critics groups are giving it attention so maybe that will be enough for the Academy to stand up and take notice. While they’re at it I wish they’d also listen to his score for Contagion, but that’s just me.

I have included the full list of winners below and added Chicago’s selection to my “Oscar Overture” where I’m tracking the winners from a select group of industry award shows, guilds, associations and critical societies leading up to the Oscars.

Best Picture