Oscars 2022: My verdict on the nominations
The nominations for the Oscars 2022 were announced this afternoon, with The Power of the Dog leading the pack with 12 nods. You can check out the full list of nominees here – and read on for a breakdown of my thoughts.
The Best Actress race
Everyone assumed Lady Gaga was a shoo-in for a nomination as she had been nominated by every other major awards organisation – but we were wrong! She was snubbed from the Best Actress shortlist for House of Gucci and Penelope Cruz was a surprising (but worthy) inclusion. I personally agree with this change. Cruz’s work in Parallel Mothers is far superior to Gaga’s. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gaga as this character and she committed fully to the role but I didn’t expect her to do this well during awards season.
I actually don’t know who is going to win the prize – Kristen Stewart or Nicole Kidman for Spencer and Being the Ricardos are most likely, but I was most floored by Olivia Colman in The Lost Daughter. I love Jessica Chastain but her performance in The Eyes of Tammy Faye is simply fine in comparison to the other four. I’m glad Stewart made it in after being snubbed by SAG and BAFTA but I’m OK with her not winning.
The Power of the Dog love
If you read my review of this film, you’ll know that I do not understand the hype at all. I expected a lot from it because of the acclaim and found it rather dull. I have no issue with the performance nods (except maybe Jesse Plemons) or cinematography mention but the film itself is so frustratingly subtle and understated that I struggled with it.
The Best Supporting Actress category
Like Gaga, Caitriona Balfe has been a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress for Belfast but today she was snubbed and her co-star Judi Dench was included!! I love Dench but Balfe deserved it more; she is so good in Belfast! I’m thrilled about the other nominees – Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) and Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter) – but I’m gutted Ruth Negga didn’t get recognised for Passing. She is terrific in that film. My money’s on DeBose – her Anita is fantastic.
Miscellaneous thoughts
- I’m so happy that Andrew Garfield got nominated after BAFTA snubbed him
- I’m excited for the Oscar-nominated couples – Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst
- Thank God Jared Leto didn’t get anything for House of Gucci
- I really need to see Drive My Car
- I want CODA to win Best Picture but that’s never gonna happen!
I will be doing my usual rundown of predictions before the big ceremony on 27 March so keep an eye out for that.