Unbroken will be seen in various places before getting to critics and bloggers over here, mainly due to scheduling around the film’s director, Angelina Jolie, who will be doing appearances and Q&As to give the film the best possible landing. This is how films usually roll out at festivals, with directors there (at the very least) to give q&as after the screening. This does two things. The first, if “talent” is in the room the crowd is usually much more responsive. You can imagine how responsive they would be with Angelina Jolie in the room. But also it ensures people will at least SHOW UP to the screening, which ensures the film will be seen. In a competitive season, that becomes the most important thing.
Variety reported on the first screening, which said “largely well received” with “warm applause” and several gasps at the violence. I guess the best they could have hoped for was a standing ovation but from where I sit, that it was warmly received is good enough. The film is a victim of Oscar season hype already, being touted as the winner long before anyone has seen it. We put it on our list because it MIGHT be that movie. If it isn’t that movie we blame the movie, not ourselves. We see a movie in our heads and thus, if the movie falls short of that it suffers during this madness. This movie is being hyped as Jolie + Coens + Deakins + WWII + American hero – how can it go wrong? And the thing is, it might not go wrong, number 1. Number 2, unfortunately its goal now is to fill our cup not live out its own intended trajectory. Such is the insanity of Oscar season.
I don’t know what the film’s fate will be but being unable to talk about it right after it screened is causing a bit of an Oscar season flatline. There are too many people like me trying to come up with anything semi-exciting that isn’t just random publicity (interviews, profiles, pictures). Now, we’re just chewing off our own limbs and pretending it’s dinner.
One thing Unbroken has going for it over all of the other films in the race is the simple fact of Ms. Jolie herself. If you notice the different ways Unbroken is being rolled out compared to other films, or even Selma which is also directed by a woman, is that Jolie’s star power is so gigantic her face is almost all that is required to sell the thing. Those set pictures from Unbroken were like an Annie Leibowitz photo spread. She is so pretty that her face on the cover of Vanity Fair sells her movie. There is no other director in the race that famous or that famous for her looks. Ava DuVernay is also beautiful and thus, that will also help her in the race, being that women are always going to be judged on looks first. Always. Sadly.
Of course, Jolie is famous for many other things, too – her unsurpassed humanitarian efforts with refugees, her marriage to Brad Pitt, raising six children but at the end of the day human beings respond to beauty. They (we) like pretty people and for Jolie, considered one of the most beautiful people in the world, that is starting to look like her biggest and most powerful weapon in this regard. Many will come to screenings of the film just to have a look at her.
That isn’t to say she won’t be judged on her work but it’s interesting to watch how the publicity for her film is so tied up in ongoing obsession on her image. Then again, since the movie hasn’t been seen there isn’t much to go on. Oscar season hype has put it in the conversation but the conversation only has one place to go.
Since the film isn’t seen, there isn’t much to discuss except for my own private wish that her film wasn’t being predicted to win. When you start the race at the top like that you have nowhere to go but down. It isn’t her fault, of course. If anything, it’s the fault of Oscar season. We never seem to learn this one crucial lesson about sight unseen frontrunners.
Besides it’s a weak year and Interstellar is arguably the best film of the year even if it falls a bit short of Memento, Inception, and The Dark Knight
A weak year? How many films must one watch before determining whether a year in cinema is weak or not? Check out the number of masterpieces one can view if one’s horizons are broad enough, and there becomes no such thing as a weak year. I’ve seen dozens of good and great movies so far this year, and I expect to see several more over its final few weeks. Nor is it a weak Oscar year – there are several strong titles in contention and the race is fairly wide open.
‘Arguably the best’ doesn’t cut it. Not if you’re talking from your point of view. From the Academy’s? Then ok, your argument could hold weight… only it doesn’t, cos there’s no evidence whatsoever that AMPAS cares at all about Interstellar.
@Kindy: “Why is are there embargo on the reviews? Most directors don’t put embargo on their reviews.”
It’s my experience as a review & movie blog reader that embargoes are standard procedure (& I think they’re imposed by the studio/distributor, not the filmmakers), e.g., most reviews are published the day the movie opens. If a film is in a festival beforehand, reviews are published then.
@Kindy
I don’t care about Angie’s love life (IMHO it’s annoying). However, I do think it is quite unfair to equate her personal life (which I actually blame TMZ and those tabloids for giving attention to) with her ability to act or direct. She won in 2000 for Girl, Interrupted (which while not spectacular, is still deserving to win) and was nominated in ’09 for Changeling (which demonstrated that her Oscar win was no fluke). Even A Mighty Heart was amazing despite getting snubbed. I also did not say her charity work was trying into influence the outcome of how Unbroken will play out. I said that Jolie is trying something else besides acting and humanitarian activities, and she should be praised for gong outside her comfort zone to take a risk. While ITLOBAH is unevent, I believe it is promising start. Plus she has trusted veterans such as the Coens, Deakins, and Desplat for Unbroken. Does that mean it gets a pass because of hiring bets, of course not. We’l have to wait and see it.
Yes, I believe Unbroken should be judged on the film itself, but let’s not jump into hateful schadenfreude (joy at someone’s misery). when the work is not yet out.
My point, Kindy, is that you didn’t get this kind of hate when Ben or Bob, or Clint directed their first couple of films. Don’t forget, only Redford got the gold ring first time out. Nobody has given Jolie an A+ or an award for anything yet – they are only weighing chances of such things.
Your problem should be with award sites that are predicting its success, not with the filmmaker. This sort of unfounded conjecture – as well as the comments they draw – are the rash on the big fat ass that is awards season.
@ Steve. I don’t understand where Jennifer Aniston comes into this conversation but you brangloonies always seem to bring her in into every single thing related to Angelina. This is about AJ’s directing ability, not a stupid love triangle. Also, where did the UN, adoptions, charity work come into this conversation? This is about movies not philanthropy or anything else. Unbroken is the only movie without any reviews yet its topping all the award sites shows and the hype and the manufactured buzz is coming from none other then AJ and her PR team. So if people call out the BS it means they are ‘haters’? Ok then. If thats what helps you sleep.
LOL Maya, you are such a Brangloonie just stop. So if people call out the PR bullshit AJ is spewing for Unbroken( A movie that has yet to be seen by the publics and critics) that means they are haters? Why is are there embargo on the reviews? Most directors don’t put embargo on their reviews, that seems weird. Ok then. I guess all the critics who gave her negative reviews for ITLOBA were haters too? So according to you, its okay to hand out awards for movies that haven’t been seen or reviewed yet? That’s like giving someone an A+ when they have not taken an exam. Noah is correct to say that AJ is not a real director. She is just another actress-turned director who is doing some major award-grubbing this year. Also, Ben, Clint, Robert Redford are all people who proved to be talented in directing atleast. Has Jolie proven to be talented in directing? Not so far. Unbroken will be the test of that. Also
“…simply resting on her acting and charity laurel.”
Yes, two of the most kicked-back, feet-up professions, as we all know. 🙂
I don’t understand all the Jolie bashing, either. Is it coming from people who don’t like UN work, charities and large families? Against adoption, maybe? or her brave personal decision to ward off cancer? That she even took on the director responsibilities deserves credit.
The film will have to stand on its own – she won’t and should not get a pass on the end product, but all this prejudging nonsense is a bit much. I didn’t know the vacuous Ms Anniston still had that many fans in pain.
Besides it’s a weak year and Interstellar is arguably the best film of the year even if it falls a bit short of Memento, Inception, and The Dark Knight
Actually I’m a Nolan “fanboy” and I do not feel that Interstellar is one of Nolan’s best but he’s been screwed over by the Academy enough times that he deserves his due and if it’s for Interstellar so be it. Kinda like Scorsese winning for The Departed when it should have been for Raging Bull…
I’d also like to point out to all the Nolan naysayers that Mike Leigh and Wes Anderson are not all that more likely to crack picture. Yes in a sense the Academy ‘adores” Leigh, but he is known for screenwriting and has only twice broke into picture/director (the last time having been over a decade ago)
I ain’t no Nolan naysayer. But you’re an Interstellar fanboy. Your reasoning has been solidly unreliable on anything regarding that film to date on here.
@Maya
You forgot Clint Eastwood who won twice with Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby. Anyways kudos to you for calling out blatant Jolie-bashing instead of basing off of the work itself. I donot care for her personal life, but I approve of Jolie challenging herself rather than just simply resting on her acting and charity laurel.
@Noah
Wow, what did Jolie do to you? She is not a real director? You mean like Robert Redford (when he was nominated and won for Ordinary People), Kevin Costner (when he was nominated and won for Dancing with the Woolfs), like Ben Affleck, like Mel Gibson – both BP winners? It is ok for actors to direct and get respect for that, but woman actress should just be quite and happy that she can act and not try directing because ” she is not a real director”? I understand that for some reason you are rooting for her movie to be failure, but don’t spred lies – in every interview she always mentions Laura Hillenbrand, the author of the book, but Jolie was the one who, in the end, pushed for this movie to be made (new Variety article tells the story of how the movie was made.)
Will relish the day when a black film’s Oscar nomination won’t be reflexively dismissed as “white guilt” or the “race card”. The concern trolling about that ironically proves the opposite point some of you think you’re making.
Edkargir, I think people have finally seen the movie but there’s an embargo on the reviews.
I think its so stupid that Unbroken is ranked so high up on these awards lists, when no one has seen the movie nor are there any proper reviews so far. Jolie is not a real director and frankly I think its very selfish of her not to give credit to the author of Unbroken, who knew about Louis Zampernini for many years and did so much research on him. I think Jolie is running the most pathetic and neediest Oscar campaign so far. Nolan, Fincher, Miller, all atleast had their films appear at film festivals and good reviews for their movie. Nolan should get a Best Director nod before Angelina Jolie. But knowing Oscar Politics and how Jolie seems very desperate for a Best Director Oscar, she will buy her nomination with the best money can buy. Absolutely disgusting.
Also, the fact that Unbroken/ ‘reviews’ in Australia were as lukewarm gives a tiny glimpse that its not worth all the Oscar Buzz hype it has been receiving for the past year. I think this movie will probably not lead up to its own expectations and will be a big letdown.
Humble prediction:
UNBROKEN will not win NYFCC’s Best Picture Award.
It will not.
The New York film critics are voting on Dec 1. It would be very interesting if Unbroken w9n best picture before anybody got to view it. I expect Boyhood to win Best Picture in Ny .
Unbroken should lead us to all these reactions we have already now.
Jealousy, love, admiration, never “Giving up” and last but not least, to believe in ourselves until the end. Therefore, we should have seen the movie first before giving numerous dubious reviews. – without any meaning!
Universal Studios and Angelina Jolie are certain well prepared for the “Oscars race” around the BEST MOTION PICTURE FILM 2014-2015 with an appropriate marketing strategy. Therefore, we should hold us back with our comments and criticisms until the official release date on December 25th. Seen from my side, I can not wait to see it ……..ok?
Paddy is right on the money with regards to Mr. Turner. It will surprise a lot of people come nomination day. Just because it’s not the kind of film that sets the internet alight, doesn’t mean that it won’t persuade a sufficient chunk of the Academy. Right now, it’s doing wonders at the British box office, which means that it’s bound to do tidy business with the Brits contingent, but overall Leigh is an Academy darling, and this is an artist biopic! With great reviews!
What’s not to like!?
“Once again Nolan thinks he’s smarter than everybody else.”
Spoken like somebody who really doesn’t like a storyteller for telling a story.
no. when a blogger predicts unseen films, never you.
I remember well an Oscar blogger, clearly being played, adamantly predicting a BP nom for The Emperor’s Club sight unseen. It was obvious. The practice opens up a world of (sad) hidden agenda questions.
trading credibility for access is pathetic when the stakes are so small….
I must admit I LOL’d at the Annie prediction. Funniest thing I’ve read in ages. I like the look of Unbroken, but I definitely hope it steers clear of Life of Pi’s preachy message. Kudos to Jolie if she can pull off a solid film. Who cares if she wins!
Angelina Jolie is so beautiful! I wish her the best with this film. It’d be even more beautiful to have her win her third Oscar as a director. I love her so much!
I loooooooooove her in Maleficent. I love you, Angie! ^_^
You’re not referring to this blogger I hope. No publicist seduced me on this film.
It gives the appearance that the blogger has been seduced by a publicist.
We’re in limbo until New York announces.
In any other year unbroken would be nominated but these too many contenders this year that are superb
I agree Paddy, I think Mr. Turner will get a cinematography nod for sure. One of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen. Also I think it has a good chance at a best actor nod, art direction, and costumes.
“Hearing Billy Boyd sing is such a throwback to one of the defining moments in Return of the King and I’m sure it’ll touch voters’ hearts as well.”
I already cried listening to it.
I’d also like to point out to all the Nolan naysayers that Mike Leigh and Wes Anderson are not all that more likely to crack picture. Yes in a sense the Academy ‘adores” Leigh, but he is known for screenwriting and has only twice broke into picture/director (the last time having been over a decade ago)
As for Anderson, it’s a similar story but his best accolade so far is in the Best Animated film category, not Best Picture. Way I see it Mr. Leigh and Grand Budapest Hotel both miss the cut ala Another Year and Moonrise Kingdom. Next…
@ PHANTOM
The National Board of Review will surely go for American Sniper but the Academy has ignored Eastwood just as much as they’ve recognized him with his recent films all missing the mark a bit; haven’t been recognized for Picture or Director since 2006’s Letters From Iwo Jima.
Des, Mr. Turner is so in. Like, it’s just so in. You won’t be reading much about it because it’s not a fanboy / Internet / hype type of product, and there’ll probably be a deluge of bile directed its way when it gets nominations at the expense of films like Interstellar and Exodus, but it’s so in. You’re right, the Academy loves him – in the last 20 years, only All or Nothing has failed to secure an Oscar nomination, and it’s bleak as hell, something which period biopic Mr. Turner doesn’t have working against it in the race. Indeed, it’s also very good, and has shots at nods both in main and in technical categories.
There was quite a buzz around Sydney last night as it’s fairly rare for the city to get a world premier on this scale.
I wouldn’t read too much into there being no standing ovation – I’ve found that Australian audiences are typically more muted and reserved than American or European audiences, when it comes to cinema anyway.
Unbroken’s no show at the Fall North American festivals means there’s not that much momentum behind the film and that’s going to be crucial in what in a strong awards season.
I’ll be fascinated to see how Mr Turner goes down with the Academy voters when it debuts – like Unbroken – over Christmas in the US. In the UK it’s still at Number 4 in the box office charts after 3 weeks and already grossed nearly double the amount for any previous Leigh title. The Academy adores Leigh (7 nominations to date) and many regard Mr Turner as one of his best (if not his very best).
Phantom, I basically agree with all you said. Good run-down.
With several of you bringing up the potential surprises, I decided to make a very arguable list of the late entries :
UNSEEN
1. EXODUS (could surprise but for some reason, I’m not feeling it…but that’s just a hunch)
2. ANNIE (this could be the surprise hit of the season, good BO and HFPA-love is a given…a filler nod BP ?)
3. THE HOBBIT (if the reviews are on LOTR-level, then maybe…but that’s one big IF)
4. INTO THE WOODS (my guess is this is the late entry with the best Oscar potential)
SEEN BUT EMBARGOED
5. UNBROKEN (IMO BP will happen even with lukewarm reviews…the big question is BD here)
RECENTLY SCREENED
6. THE GAMBLER (out)
7. SELMA (so IN, it is not even funny : right now it is No1 in picture, director, actor in my predictions)
8. AMERICAN SNIPER (apparently it is (very) good and the Academy loves Eastwood and apparently Cooper, as well)
9. BIG EYES (probably not a major player but could still get solid traction in lead actress and supporting actor).
10. STILL ALICE (watch out for this one, could be a major threat/surprise in picture, screenplay, supporting actress)
+1. TOP FIVE (rave reviews and the December release date should help, however its best shot is in screenplay)
How could Unbroken possibly be “too violent’? It’s got a PG-13 rating.
Also, for the person who won’t see Fury – it’s a really, really good movie. I like it much better than Saving Private Ryan. As far as I’m concerned it’s also miles better than Interestellar, which at best is an incomprehensible mess. Once again Nolan thinks he’s smarter than everybody else.
So it sounds like Karger was right?…
John, I think Hobbit has a strong shot in original song. Hearing Billy Boyd sing is such a throwback to one of the defining moments in Return of the King and I’m sure it’ll touch voters’ hearts as well.
And how about The Hobbit 3 … I realize that it could be as uneventful Awardswise as the previous Hobbit installments, but what if it happens to be good and the campaign goes all out? It DEFINITELY has shots in Production Design, Costumes, Make Up, both Sounds, Visual Effects, Score, Song. Thats … A LOT.
To me, even if Exodus disappoints, I see real potential noms for it in Costumes and Visual Effects. If it goes over big, we can see Cinematography, Production Design, maybe MakeUp, Sound, Score … Theres just no way of knowing its quality yet.
I’ve been leaving a space for EXODUS. I think it looks really good. So let’s supposed the script sucks, lol, there’s no way in hell the acting is going to be sub par. Should be an acting smackdown of biblical proportions. What else is there? Are people going to complain about the sound again? Pfft. Then there’s the other thing but I never went to Egypt back then. There could have been white people everywhere.
Dylan,
The reason why no one is mentioning Exodus: Gods and Kings is because it hasn’t been seen yet by anyone who can help shape the Oscar race. It has been for a long time that people would predict films in advance of anyone seeing them, but as far as I know, Anne Thompson has been a big influence, and one of the first, if not THE first to start only predicting movies that have already been seen. So, this year, only Exodus: Gods and Kings, Into the Woods, and Unbroken are left to be seen.
Antoinette,
I can understand the feeling of being tired/sick of WW11. That was what I felt before I started reading the book! However, the story in this book/movie is quite different than from many other WW2 movies we have seen. It is not about Nazis, not about Holocaust, Europe, French, Italians etc. It is about the Pacific. It is about the Japanese and what they did! but it is also about the US and how they failed to take care of its own soldiers. It is about all those poor US soldiers that got killed in some cases for no reason! Did you know that 100s of planes crashed to Pacific just because of their technical problems? Lots of soldiers got killed not fighting the enemy but for just some stupid human error in many incidents. This is a story of perseverance. Almost like Life of Pi, but more than that. What the hero of this story had to go through is just unbelievable. It is war, plane crash, sharks, ocean and more than that physical and emotional torture. and more! It is a great uplifting story in my opinion. So material is there. I really hope that all involved did a good job that the material deserved. I personally applaud A. Jolie. First, In the Land of Honey and Blood and now this! She didnt need to make those movies. She could have chosen a much easier, less demanding route.
This is one of the movies that I will see no matter what. I dont care if it will get nominations or not! It is just a great story and I want to see that story. Yes, A. Jolie is this movie’s biggest weapon but also its biggest threat. There are many A.J. haters out there. They will attack the movie just to attack Angelina. And she will also be judged against Ava Duerney, another successful female movie maker, but much less divisive than Angie. Also, her skin color and all that “history making” non sense will help Ava more than Angelina. If Angie gets nomination over Ava, many people will not be shy from using race card as always. I am sure some will make it like “voting for Selma means voting for civil rights and MLK” . Unfortunately, Oscars are a dirty game and there are many Machiavellianists out there….
Long story short, I cannot wait to see Unbroken. Hopefully it will be a good movie. But at least I know that the story will be a good one regardless.
Antoinette, I’d give Fury a shot. It doesn’t carry around the sentimentalism of most WW2 movies. The fact that so much of it takes place inside a tank is reason enough to see it alone. These aren’t GI Joes saving the tormented. They’re borderline nut jobs saving the people only to (maybe) torment them afterwards. My favorite part of the movie was essentially a long scene in an apartment when all the fighting stopped and we really got to see who the men were. I just thought I’d give my 2 cents so you know it’s not the traditional WW2 movie.
curious why in all this talk and speculation of upcoming Oscar-potential films, no one is even mentioning EXODUS:GODS AND KINGS. It’s Ridley Scott, Christian Bale, a three-hour Biblical epic — yet it’s not even being suggested as a possible contender, in ANY category. How come?
You know I never thought she was as pretty as everyone made out. I mean I can see that she has nice face parts but I don’t see her as gorgeous or the most beautiful as seems to be the consensus. I’d probably pick a European. Marion Cotillard or Monica Bellucci. But then again, Patricia Arquette was always one of my favorite faces. Or even Julianne Moore. Hmm… anyway, yeah, not her. And I’ll go ahead and apologize to the whole Jolie-Pitt clan for not wanting to see their movies. Because I’m sick of WWII, I’m sort of hoping everyone says it’s an also ran. I already skipped FURY.
Kane, yeah, that’s a good point about No Country for Old Men and The Hurt Locker. Funny point about The Departed. 🙂
I think Marty likes to be shocking. But that’s what I like about him.
Al, No Country and Hurt Locker’s violence seemed more realistic and in service to the story. The Departed, however, well…Jack waving around a severed hand says like it’s nothing it all.
Unbroken should be violent. VERY violent. The sharks. The torture. The war scenes. This is not a gentle subject and I’m encouraged by the possibility that the film does not shy away from the brutality.
I think the possible ‘controversy’ over this movie might be the stuff at the end. How can this be handled in a way that ‘s digestible to both Christian and non-Christian audiences?
Phantom, thanks for the reminder. I forgot that 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained had had that same complaint. Yeah, it didn’t effect 12 Years a Slave at all. Heck, The Departed, No Country for Old Men both won BP, and both of those were pretty violent.
Does anyone remember if the “too violent” complaint had been tossed around about The Hurt Locker before it won BP?
Don’t worry, Al, the ‘OMG it’s like so violent’ line has been thrown around during awards season for years usually to give the vibe a film might be in danger but in reality, it rarely pans out : 12 Years a Slave WON and Django Unchained got a BP nod (and won in Best Original Screenplay)…and I have a hard time imagining Unbroken coming close to the harrowing ’12’ scenes or the ultraviolent Tarantino style.
It concerns me that to some this film might be “too violent”. I hope that doesn’t factor into the Oscar race. “Too violent?” It’s a World War II film. War is violent as hell, and given that he was a POW, the Japanese were not going to treat him like one of them. I’m pretty sure that all POWs during the war were beaten violently. It’s the nature of war. I think the inclusion of violence makes it all the more realistic.
As of today, as of this article, I take back my previous public predictions where I have included Unbroken. I’m starting over, starting fresh. 🙂
I remember seeing the first theatrical trailer, and thinking, “that’s what’s going to win BP.” I thought it looked amazing, and then, slowly, over time, I started seeing what others were saying about it, and started to lower my expectations. But my expectations of it’s Oscar chances, not how I might like it. I feel very okay predicting I think I will like it. I just know what I like.
I hope it does well come nominations morning.