Best Original Screenplay
The Original Screenplay category is certainly volatile at the bottom, but as of right now I can only really imagine the top two battling it out in the end as Paul Thomas Anderson‘s screenplay for The Master is sure to confound and have people searching for meaning while Michael Haneke‘s screenplay for Amour will be hailed for its constraint. One will have people scratching their heads while the other is naked in its meaning, brutal and appreciated for its honesty.
After those two? What do you do?
I’ve already mentioned how Ben Lewin‘s The Sessions could make big waves and I see it as a nominee at this point for its heartfelt honesty and loving humor. Just watch the clip to the right and get a sense for what kind of film this is and not to forget, the wonderful performance from John Hawkes.
Quentin Tarantino has seen his screenplays for Inglourious Basterds and Pulp Fiction nominated for Oscars, and he won alongside co-writer Roger Avary for Pulp Fiction. While the screenplay for Django Unchained has been read by just about everyone, and seemingly loved by all that scoured its pages, the end product has yet to be seen, which will weigh heavily on the voters’ decision.
Matt Damon also already has an Oscar to his credit, shared with Ben Affleck for Good Will Hunting. Will he share another nomination with John Krasinski for Promised Land? It’s a film that has another thing in common with Good Will Hunting beyond just Damon… director Gus Van Sant.
And finally, in my fifth position is Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola‘s screenplay for Moonrise Kingdom, which started in Cannes with a bang and enjoyed an excellent release throughout the summer.
There’s plenty more to consider below the bubble. While Flight? I see this film having a strong chance at big things with the Academy, by John Gatins was the screenwriter on Real Steel, which gives me definite pause.
Lots of questions, lots of films yet to be seen and not a lot of answers.
For now, here is my top five and you can browse my full field of 12 contenders at this point right here.
- Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master)
- Michael Haneke (Amour)
- Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)
- Matt Damon and John Krasinski [based on a story by Dave Eggers] (Promised Land)
- Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom)
For my complete list of Oscar predictions, which will be updating throughout the season as things change and I begin predicting more and more categories, click here.
