Oscar Roundup – Wrestler, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog
In the interest of getting out my opinions on some great 2008 movies that are up for Oscars out before the actual awards are given, this post will be a small reflection on each of three movies: Slumdog Millionaire, Frost/Nixon, and The Wrestler. The reviewed format for each is film.
The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke is up for best actor in this very realistic story about the downfall and clinging-on of past fame of an old wrestler. The movie itself is kind of a downer, though more reflective than sad. Some parts are extremely graphic, which really help the story seem realistic. If the camera work weren’t so good, I would think this was a documentary. I suppose this is a testament to Rourke’s acting. Though, I’m not sure if he deserves the praise because of acting as much as him fitting the role both on and off the camera. I can’t say either way. To me, this is a great accomplishment. The movie is meaningful, but doesn’t go the extra mile to really move the audience, in my opinion.
Rating – 4 /5
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Frost/Nixon
Another contender for Best Actor, in addition to Best Picture. Frost/Nixon is a very interesting based-on-real-life story about an interview between an Australian TV figure with the recently outed Nixon. Especially great if you like a politically charged film. I don’t mean this like a nation-wide politics, but on a personal level: similar to The War Room, which focused mostly on the internal politics of the campaign managers. Nixon is played very well. It’s a tough call of whether or not Rourke in The Wrestler is better than Nixon’s portrayal in Frost/Nixon. The main character of Frost isn’t anything great… he is more of a silent protagonist if anything. He doesn’t really show you his feelings as much as Nixon does. And Nixon does get very emotional. His confession confrontation in the last interview is amazing.
Rating – 4 /5
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Slumdog Millionaire
Danny Boyle delivers again. Aside from Millions, he’s put out some of my favorite genre movies. And now…. a Bollywood genre? Slumdog is unlike any other movie this year. Aside from it’s emotionally-charged “love destiny” story, it shows some of the beauty and dirt of India. It opens up some cultural barriers between India and the West, as well as shows us how to make a feel-good ending. You couldn’t root for the main character enough, and one can feel each tough decision that he makes throughout his tough life. Monetarily, it is a “rags to riches” story, but emotionally, he has one dream. It is epic and Slumdog is easily the best film up for nomination at the Oscars.
Rating – 5 /5
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