In what amounted to a considerable upset, Cord Jefferson took home the USC Scripter Award for his “American Fiction” screenplay. As far as we thought, Christopher Nolan was supposed to take the adapted screenplay Oscar for “Oppenheimer,” but the USC Scripter is such a fervent precursor for that category that maybe Jefferson might now be the frontrunner. Who’d have thunk it?
Jefferson is on a winning streak, having already won the Critics Choice and BAFTA awards. I liked Jefferson’s debut, which was filled with satirical sting, reminding me of Alexander Payne's earlier films. It mixed drama and comedy to ignite a socio-cultural conversation that is much needed today.
Last year, Sarah Polley won the award for “Women Talking,” which also ended up winning the adapted screenplay Oscar. Past winners include “Call Me By Your Name,” “Moonlight,” “The Big Short,” and “The Imitation Game,” all of which also ended up winning the Oscar in this category.