The Gotham Awards nominations are out and they are definitely not a predictable bunch.
The Gothams signal the beginning of awards season. They’re not necessarily any kind of precursor, but instead a nice little celebration of film.
This year, the committee members for Best Feature were
Justin Chang, K. Austin Collins, David Ehrlich, Alison Willmore and Jessica Kiang. No comment.
This year it looks like it will be a fight between “TÁR,” and “Aftersun.” Both were the most honored films, nominations-wise, but they also seem to be the main frontrunners to win Best Film. “Everything Everywhere All At Once” might be the dark horse, but it was snubbed in the Screenplay category.
The Gothams went gender-neutral in their acting categories this year and the lead noms are mostly female. God forbid men were the majority of the nominees, you’d have a scythe hanging over the Gotham committee’s heads.
Of note, “Women Talking” getting snubbed for Best Film. Also, as I’ve been saying, Jessie Buckley nominated and Claire Foy totally absent. That’s how it might also turn out come Oscar time. A big congratulations to Thandiwe Newton who was justly recognized for her excellent work in “God’s Country.” It’s a towering lead performance.
This might also be the death nail in Apple’s hopes for “Cha Cha Real Smooth.” I don’t see any mention of it in these noms. “Emancipation” it is!
Another note, Women Talking’s Ben Whishaw getting a Supporting Performance nod for his mopey and horrendous work in Sarah Polley’s movie is affront to the acting craft. His performance needs to be seen to be believed in how outrageously cartoonish it is.
I wouldn't call this film great — it stops short of that because of how neatly it resolves itself — but I'll give Rock his due here: this is much better than his previous directorial effort, "Top Five."