If it seems like I'm pegging The King's Speech as the potential upset in most categories it's nominated for, that's because I am. When it comes down to it, there are only two categories that Tom Hooper's film deserves to win for, and the rest are undeserving. I'd be a little lighter on it in terms of this category if there wasn't such vivid competition. The visuals in the film are only occasionally inspiring, but definitely not more than the other nominees. Alice in Wonderland, while rendered hideously revolting by the visual effects, has some of the most stunning and colorful art direction of 2010. That being said, it's chances are squashed by the end product.As far as period films go, Joel & Ethan Coen's True Grit has the upper hand in terms of visualization, although much of that is due to Roger Deakins' cinematography. I don't expect much in terms of art direction. The film I think is most deserving of the win is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. The sets they built for Malfoy Manor, the Weasley Wedding, and the Ministry of Magic, along with the unprecedented scope of the set design really should put this at the head of the pack. Somehow it doesn't, so I'm going to say the film that most likely will win is Christopher Nolan's Inception. In a film entirely dependent on elaborate architecture, the prowess is brought much closer to the surface by Ariadne's character. You look around at the surroundings because it's part of her creation. The King's Speech might take that away, but I dearly hope not.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
2. Inception
3. True Grit
4. Alice in Wonderland
5. The King's Speech
Will Win: Inception
Should Win: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Potential Upset: The King's Speech
Should Have Been Nominated: How to Train Your Dragon
I actually think King's Speech will win.
ReplyDeleteI actually wasn't impressed with the art direction in Inception (although I particularly was amazed with Cobb's home, don't know why but the simplicity of that amazed me).
And I still wished to see Black Swan up there, but you mentioning How to Train Your Dragon makes me wonder, why hasn't an animated film been nominated in this category? Beauty & the Beast comes to mind as does last years Coraline, Princess & the Frog, Up, heck a lot of animated films have better art direction that the one that wins, so what gives?
Well Inception just won the BAFTA for best art direction, so that seems like a good sign for it.
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