OSCAR BUZZ OR OSCAR ZZZZZ….?

Dear Readers,

It’s that time of the year again – when you can put away your cares and woes and all that stress about losing your job, the devaluation of your house, the pension that isn’t worth anything, the extreme weather conditions wrecking havoc in both hemispheres – and worry about the really important things like who’s going to win Best Sound Effects Editing and why oh why – if Cameron Diaz can afford to employ a stylist and have the world’s top designers literally throwing gowns at her skinny frame – why does she still look like a skank?


Yes, it’s Oscar weekend and I’m still excited though it has to be said that since the advent of the big campaigns the whole thing has become a little predictable and dare I say it - dull.
There are now so many pre-Oscar awards celebrating the same winners that the little bald man has somewhat lost his shine. This year’s nominees are the usual safe selection of bio-pics, theatre adaptations and holocaust dramas but there are still some gems in there and for what it’s worth – here’s my 1,000 lire’s worth on the likely winners and the should-have-beens.

Best Film
OK – I’m going to add to the chorus of disapproval – The Dark Knight – gripping, visually breathtaking and morally complex – so much more than just a Superhero Summer Blockbuster should have been on the list. I also think Revolutionary Road has been dealt a raw deal – it’s a superb distillation of the book and features some of the best screen acting of this or any year. Of the ones that are nominated Milk gets my vote – under the shadow of Proposition 8 it is a timely reminder that gay rights are human rights. Watching the documentary The Times of Harvey Milk I was struck by level of verisimilitude Van Sant has brought to the film and the authenticity of the performances. Sure it goes for the big emotive finish but Harvey’s message “You gotta give ‘em hope” is more important now than ever. The audience I saw it with in Rome (where gay rights, women’s rights and ethnic minorities rights are under a daily siege) gave it an ovation. The winner though will be Slumdog Millionaire which is the feel good film of the year – though it’s Dickens for the globalized noughties is a little too contrived for my liking. Still Danny Boyle and everyone involved are such nice people that it seems churlish to deny them their moment of glory. Benjamin Buttons with one Bradley Pitt and the unmistakeable whiff of Forrest Gump will be the also ran .

Best Actor
Please let it be Penn. I can understand the fuss about Rourke but just please let it be Penn!

Best Actress
Love her or hate her, Kate Winslet is reliably excellent in everything she does. Though she deserves it more for Revolutionary Road, she should win on this her 6th nomination. Sally Hawkins and Kristin Scott Thomas should have been nominated but that would have been Brit overkill.

Best Supporting Actor
This was Heath Ledger’s before anyone even saw the film. Thank God then that he’s brilliant in it – all the more scary for his underplaying. A win here makes up for missing out for Brokeback Mountain 3 years ago. A shame though as Josh Brolin (uncanny as Dan White in Milk) and Michael Shannon are equally deserving. Phillip Seymour Hoffman seems to have taken up residence in this category but since when was the male lead considered a supporting role?

Best Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz is likely to win for being the one funny thing in the dull, dull, dull Vicky Christina Barcelona, however she’s still playing a stereotype not a real person. My favourite is Viola Davis, who is devastating in one scene in Doubt. I was transfixed watching the snot run from her nose. Absolutely no vanity.

Best Foreign Language Film
Am a bit torn – Waltz With Bashir was truly original and used it mix of animation and real footage to great effect. The Class though is compelling and resonant and if you are a teacher as harrowing as any war film.

So there it is. Viewers in Italy can enjoy the glorious “E On The Red Carpet” from midnight Sunday – perhaps the most fatuous programme – ever. Here’s an idea to make watching the show more interesting – scull a shot of tequila every time someone asks “Who are you wearing?”, eat something every time someone asks “How did you prepare for your role?” You’ll be in A&E before the ceremony starts. Following that the Sky coverage will take off with a room full of Italians sitting on two sofas in a studio in Milan shouting over the top of each other. No doubt this year they’ll all be shouting about the non nomination of Italy’s big hope - Gomorrah – and I tend to agree.