Here’s what you hear every year about the Best Director Academy Awards category when it comes to Oscar pools: Best Director and Best Picture always go to the same film.
This is true to an extent, yes. Then again…2016, 2013, 2006…
So, on that note, will the clear favorite for Best Picture repeat with Best Director?
Best Director:
- Damien Chazelle – La La Land
- Mel Gibson – Hacksaw Ridge
- Barry Jenkins – Moonlight
- Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
- Denis Villeneuve – Arrival
Will Win: Damien Chazelle
Could Win: Barry Jenkins
Should Win: Damien Chazelle
Alright, so I baited the hook by bringing up the Best Picture-Best Director relationship. Yes, Damien Chazelle will win Best Director. In a perfect world, one in which I alone chose every Oscar winner, I would give Moonlight the Best Picture nod and Chazelle the Best Director statue (Barry Jenkins would receive his own personal Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in this dream scenario, so everyone wins!).
Regardless, La La Land is the film of the hour here, and every time you see that title, you have a safe bet choosing it to win (though, its success is more guaranteed in some categories over others). Here, Chazelle is the type of budding talent that the Academy will feel obligated to reward, and they wouldn’t be wrong to do so.
As always, thanks for reading!
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—Alex Brannan (@TheAlexBrannan)
CineFiles Movie Reviews 