Hollywood hysteria
For most of us the New Year starts with a bang and a whimper, from a gnawing headache better known as a hangover. The euphoria as well as the smarting pain last a day or two, as the year unfolds in an orderly manner. In a far away land called Hollywood, the echo of the bang, the residue of the hangover, the wincing and writhing, the twisting and twinging, linger on for weeks and weeks as "award season" kicks in with each New Year. The breathless suspense of burning anticipation leaves all citizens from royals to labourers, red hot and restless with trepidation and expectation. Who will win the trophies, prizes, ribbons and medals? Who will wear the wreaths, laurels, decorations and garlands? Hollywood offers the film world its own version of the Olympic games. Who will seize the gold -- that "feather in the cap" that is likely to determine their future fortunes? They have toiled and troubled all year to walk in the victory parade. Will they be hailed by their peers and join in the pageant of the triumphal march?
One can only imagine the anxiety, agitation, and expectation that pervades the kingdom. Everyone is involved, from clothiers to cobblers, merchants to caterers, furriers to jewellers, as eagerness and excitement fill the air. Belles and beaux fidget and fuss over hair and makeup, silks and satins, diamonds and emeralds, buttons and bows, despite their mental agony and disquiet. In short, the whole of the film kingdom sits on pins and needles as the awards of their many guilds, academies, associations, and institutes decide who are the finest among them. New kings and queens crown the efforts of the armies of workers behind the cameras each year, amidst the ritzy glitz that only Hollywood can provide. The games unfold!
From among the 150 films produced annually, a dozen or so emerge as superior in one or more categories. Each year has its surprise "sleeper" and this year is no exception. Director Martin Scorcese's The Aviator celebrating the genius of billionaire Howard Hughes competes with director Alexander Payne's Sideways celebrating the virtues of wine. The Aviator stars Leonardo di Caprio and a host of super-stars, Sideways boasts a long list of unknowns headed by Paul Giamatti. Another clear favourite is Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby starring Hilary Swank. Other films in the running are Kinsey about sex-researcher Alfred Kinsey, Finding Neverland a tribute to British writer JM Barrie author of Peter Pan, and Hotel Rwanda recounting the massacre of a million members of the Tutsi tribe by the Hutus tribe. We should not fail to mention Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, one man's passionate account of the suffering of Jesus during his last days, and Michael Moore's notorious documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, one man's passionate view of the Bush administration.
With only four weeks to go for the Oscars, the zenith of all awards, the fever mounts. The prestigious American Film Institute opened the year's ceremonies by honouring the best 10 movies of the year. The AFI's unique selection process by a 13-member jury of scholars, artists, critics, and trustees, has often been compared to that of the Pulitzer Prize. Topping their list was The Aviator followed by Collateral with Tom Cruise and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Kate Winslet.
The People's Choice Award was the first major award show of the year. Their 31st annual celebration, 9 January, applied a novel method of selection. In past years, winners were selected through a "Gallup" poll of the general public. This year however, "Gallup" was dropped in favour of a partnership with the estimable Entertainment Weekly magazine. Winners are voted on via the Internet. More than any other, this award has grown in popularity and importance because it is an authentic barometer of the people's choice, not critics or peers. This year's outstanding winners were both Mel Gibson for his religious masterpiece and Michael Moore for his political commentary. Renée Zellweger was voted "favourite leading lady".
The 56 members of the National Society of Film Critics Award gave their trophies to Clint Eastwood for best film and Hilary Swank for best actress in Million Dollar Baby, while Ray won Jamie Foxx best actor award for his portrayal of the late great Ray Charles.
Second only to the Oscars in prestige and importance, the Golden Globe Awards often foretell Oscar's outcome. Last January they correctly predicted Oscar winners in all key categories. An association of 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press, they are known to throw "the best party of the year". The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with a sumptuous dinner, a maximum of energy and a minimum of envy. Even with a smooth hi-tech production, this is one award show that has always kept a joyous informal tone. Absent are the beleaguered expressions of anxiety attacks as the guests dine and mingle. They remain seated at their dinner tables sipping on coffee or champagne while the trophies are handed out. The Globe hailed The Aviator as best drama but dropped director Scorcese in favour of Hollywood's royal dinosaur Clint Eastwood for his Million Dollar Baby. What a time for Million Dollar Baby herself Hilary Swank! She won best actress for her portrayal of a female boxer moulded into a winner by a reticent gym boss, Clint Eastwood. This young actress is reaping honours and titles galore, emerging as one of Hollywood's favourite princesses. As a young woman undergoing a sexual identity crisis in Boys don't Cry she received her best actress Oscar in 2002. Her choice of roles since has been intelligent and discriminatory. Now, another gritty role is heaping more accolades. Will the Globe's win procure her yet a second Oscar? The Globes have the uncanny ability to "channel the thoughts" of Oscar voters. Will history repeat itself once again?
With six down, another half a dozen award events await us, including the Screen Actors Guild, where actors vote for best actors, the Directors Guild of America where directors vote for best directors, and the Writer's Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen.
Sideways, a small independent production, is receiving praise from every corner and especially from the viewing public, who find it a joy from beginning to end. It has already received best picture honours from the New York Film Critics Circle Award (9 January), Los Angeles Film Critics Association (13 January) as well as the Golden Globe Best Motion Picture Comedy/ Musical (19 January). Director Alexander Payne (né Papadopoulos) has already distinguished himself as one of the great directors of his generation ( About Schmidt 2002). He is known to rely on words and warmth rather than plastic tools of the trade. He takes us on a bittersweet trip with two 40sh friends who get together for a week's vacation before one of them is to be married (Thomas Haden Church). Best man Paul Giamatti -- sad sack loser and alcoholic, treats his friend to a delightful romp in California's wine country in lieu of a bachelor party. There they hook up with two party mates (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh). The soon-to- be groom cheats shamelessly on his fiancée with Sandra Oh, while Giamatti and Madsen find tender romantic bliss in the company of the grape. Sideways has markedly increased the sale of "Pinot Noir", making the grape the true hero of the film. Wine, champagne, and other liquors have played major roles in films before, but perhaps never quite the headliners they are in Sideways. It moves gracefully from sadness to slapstick, from despair to romance, making us long to see it again and again in the company of a friend and a glass of pinot noir to toast the excellence of this little gem.
With Oscar nominations out already, this seems to be a vintage year and sure to be a memorable one. As we view the actions of the "gladiators of the film world", we await the grande finale on Oscar night 29 February, what is there left to do but relax and enjoy as they roll out their rich, lush, lustrous, luxurious, red carpet for the annual parade of Hollywood's royalty.
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