MovieMantz Rantz: And The Oscar Goes To… (Feb. 19, 2007)

Oscars 2007: Good Day ‘Sunshine’

by Scott Mantz

Even in today’s crowded, congested, competitive marketplace, it’s still possible for a little movie to go a long way. For proof of that, look no further than the biggest “little” movie of 2006, “Little Miss Sunshine.”

When the $8 million-budgeted indie premiered last January at the Sundance Film Festival, it got immediate attention when Fox Searchlight swooped in and acquired it for a record-breaking $10.5 million. Since then, it opened (on July 26) to glowing reviews, stayed in theaters longer than most Hollywood blockbusters and grossed an impressive $60 million domestically.

Then, in the early hours of Tuesday, January 23 smack dab in the middle of this year’s Sundance Film Festival ? “Sunshine” was nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including the big one, Best Picture. That was just three days after the ensemble comedy won the coveted Producers Guild Award. And since 11 out of the last 17 PGA winners went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture, “Sunshine” emerged a bona-fide front-runner to go the distance.

But that wasn’t always the case. Up until just a few weeks ago, “Sunshine” was perceived as a quirky little film that was lucky just to get nominated. That’s understandable, given that most of the buzz this awards season has been around Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”), Helen Mirren (“The Queen”) and, of course, Martin Scorsese (“The Departed”). And though it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy, it lost to the much-adored “Dreamgirls,” while the Globe for Best Drama went to “Babel.”

Then something truly amazing happened. “Dreamgirls” which had been hyped for more than a year as the film to beat at the Oscars wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture or Best Director. Despite being nominated for 8 Academy Awards (making it the year’s most-nominated film), being shut out of the big prizes meant not only that the Best Picture race was wide open, but also that “Little Miss Sunshine” actually had a chance to win.

As for why it probably will win, more on that later. In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of who should win and who will win at the 79th Academy Awards on February 25, 2007.

Best Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza (“Babel”), Cate Blanchett (“Notes on a Scandal”), Abigail Breslin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”), Rinko Kikuchi (“Babel”)

Both Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi gave spectacular performances in the towering “Babel,” and it was a treat to watch Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett go head-to-head with fellow Oscar-winner Judi Dench in “Notes on a Scandal.” Of course Abigail Breslin was adorable in “Little Miss Sunshine,” but when it comes down to it, Jennifer Hudson stole the show in “Dreamgirls.” The former “American Idol”-wannabe commanded the film from beginning to end, and her show-stopping take on “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is the stuff that Oscar-winning performances are made of.

And the Oscar goes to: It’s a dream come true for Jennifer Hudson!

Best Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Jackie Earle Haley (“Little Children”), Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”), Eddie Murphy (“Dreamgirls”), Mark Wahlberg (“The Departed”)

After a long break from acting, former child star Jackie Earle Haley (“The Bad News Bears,” “Breaking Away”) made a spectacular comeback in “Little Children.” Mark Wahlberg made effective use of his brief screen time to steal “The Departed” from co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson, while Djimon Hounsou was heartbreaking and powerful in “Blood Diamond.” And though Alan Arkin should cap his storied career with a win for his performance as the foul-mouthed grandfather in “Little Miss Sunshine,” Eddie Muphy probably will win for his career-defining turn in “Dreamgirls.”

And the Oscar goes to: Steppin’ to the bad side with Eddie Muphy!

Best Actress: Penelope Cruz (“Volver”), Judi Dench (“Notes on a Scandal”), Helen Mirren (“The Queen”), Meryl Streep (“The Devil Wears Prada”), Kate Winslet (“Little Children”)

If there ever was a sure thing at this year?s Oscar race, this is it. Helen Mirren won every other award so far this year, and deservedly so she gave depth, sensitivity and vulnerability to a role that could easily have been depicted as cold-hearted and one-dimensional. That’s too bad for Judi Dench, who would have otherwise taken home the prize for her deliciously manipulative turn as the scheming opportunist in “Notes on a Scandal.” As for Meryl Streep, sure she was the best thing about “The Devil Wears Prada”, but with 14 nominations and 2 previous wins, she doesn’t need the hardware. And while Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz were both terrific in “Little Children” and ?Volver? respectively, it’s safe to say that the best is yet to come from these fine actresses.

And the Oscar goes to: All hail “The Queen,” Helen Mirren!

Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio (“Blood Diamond”), Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson”), Peter O?Toole (“Venus”), Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness”), Forest Whitaker (“The Last King of Scotland”)

Best Actor may also seem like a sure-thing category, but perhaps not. Leonardo DiCaprio is finally growing into the sophisticated roles that he obviously wants to play, and he gave not one, but two spectacular performances last year in “Blood Diamond” and “The Departed.” Ryan Gosling was also terrific in the little-seen “Half Nelson,” and the well-liked Will Smith was impressive in the crowd-pleaser “The Pursuit of Happyness.” But like Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker won every other award so far for his terrifying performance in “The Last King of Scotland.” The only thing stopping him from winning the Oscar is Peter O’Toole. Though he was given an honorary award in 2002, the 8-times nominated O’Toole has never won an Oscar for acting, and the sympathy vote from older Academy voters would honor the 74-year-old screen legend?s incredible body of work.

And the Oscar goes to: Long live “The King,” Forest Whitaker!

Best Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Babel”), Martin Scorsese (“The Departed”), Clint Eastwood (“Letters from Iwo Jima”), Stephen Frears (“The Queen”), Paul Greengrass (“United 93”?)

Speaking of overlooked careers, isn?t it about time that Martin Scorsese ? the filmmaking legend behind “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull” and “Goodfellas” finally won an Oscar for directing? Sure, “The Departed” may not be his best film, but it’s good enough. Besides, Clint Eastwood who beat Scorsese two years ago when “Million Dollar Baby” won over “The Aviator” already has two Oscars for directing, and “The Queen” was more about Helen Mirren’s terrific performance than it was for Stephen Frears’ understated direction. Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu basically used the same complex structure on “Babel” that he used on his two previous films (2000’s “Amores Perros” and 2003’s “21 Grams”), while Paul Greengrass’s well-directed “United 93” wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture.

And the Oscar goes to: Martin Scorsese, and it’s about friggin? time!

Best Picture: “Babel,” “The Departed,” “Letters from Iwo Jima,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Queen”

And that brings us back to Best Picture. As with Best Director, Clint Eastwood already has two Oscars in this category (for 1992’s “Unforgiven” and 2004’s “Million Dollar Baby”), and even though “Babel” won the Golden Globe for Best Drama, it’s a movie that people seem to admire more than they actually like. Again, “The Queen” will be well spoken for when Mirren wins her Oscar, and while Martin Scorsese will surely win for directing “The Departed,” the ultra-violent film doesn’t seem prestigious enough to win Best Picture. That leaves “Little Miss Sunshine,” the biggest “little” movie that’s destined to go the longest way possible and deservedly so, thanks to a well-written screenplay, a terrific ensemble cast and a feel-good message that everyone can relate to.

And the Oscar goes to: Good day “Little Miss Sunshine!”