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February 23, 2009Slumdog the new Crash?
Okay, so I liked Slumdog Millionaire, but it really was not the best film of 2008. I think that this best picture win will go down in the pantheon on the level of 2005’s Crash, 2002’s Chicago, or 2001’s A Beautiful Mind: that is, nice films that became buzz films that, a few years later, people forgot about. These are not films that will be essential viewing in film school in decades to come.
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Comments
I agree with the sentiment. Especially looking backwards, to a movie like Crash, which cinematically, was fine, but honestly what it did was created buzz, and got alot of people talking. Not one that stands the test of time in a way that others do.
I'd definitely be curious to hear what you thought a better pick for Best Picture would be.
Posted By: Libby | February 23, 2009 4:56 AM
Okay, can someone please explain to me why everyone says Crash should not have won. I keep hearing it, and I just don't see it. It is both a very well done movie and very thought provoking. It may not be the best movie of all time, but I definately think it was better than all the other movies nominated in that year.
Posted By: Anonymous | February 23, 2009 5:00 AM
I think I agree with you about the film itself, Brett. But what about director Danny Boyle? Will this film be to him what Scent of a Woman was to Al Pacino (or, dare I say, what The Reader is to Kate Winslet)? Will people be looking at this director in years to come and saying he was someone to remember, and will they remember that he was an Oscar-winner even though they think he should have won for one of his other films?
Posted By: Peter T Chattaway | February 23, 2009 5:01 AM
I think that's probably right, Peter. Seems like Boyle is a talent who will have much better things to show for himself as his career goes on. But maybe Slumdog is novelty enough to be memorable, who knows.
As far as which of the other nominees I would have chosen: Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Again, not Fincher's best work, maybe (I'd say that is Zodiac), but it was an extraordinary film on so many levels and in my view, the best of the bunch.
Posted By: Brett McCracken | February 23, 2009 5:07 AM
I agree that this film may not hold up forever, but maybe the problem is this year in movies. What 2008 film will be studied in film schools? Any of those 5 nominees? I don't think so, actually. I know Slumdog was my pick of the 5 nominees but as populist as it may be, I would have rather seen Dark Knight or WALL*E getting that trophy.
Posted By: Todd Hertz | February 23, 2009 5:08 AM