There is a lot of strong writing output from the Best Adapted Screenplay class of 2017. I don’t know how clear cut this category appears to everyone else, but I think there is only two directions it can go. One of these directions is a clearly lit path. The other one: harder to see come about.

Best Adapted Screenplay:

• Arrival – Eric Heisserer
• Fences – August Wilson
• Hidden Figures – Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi
• Lion – Luke Davies
• Moonlight – Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney

Will Win: Moonlight

Could Win: Fences

Should Win: Moonlight

 

If Moonlight wins only one award on the night of the Academy Awards, it is for this. Unless some surprises with La La Land occurs, Moonlight is going to boxed out in nearly every other category. But here it does not need to compete with the behemoth that is La La, so it is very likely to win.

August Wilson’s stage adaptation is also a superbly penned script. Does it have enough legs to sneak up on Moonlight: probably not. But still, it is a possibility. More of a possibility than Arrival or Hidden Figures taking the upset.

 

As always, thanks for reading!

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—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)