..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

Imitation of Life

Films of a biographical nature have frequently tickled the fancy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences membership. Going all the way back to The Great Ziegfeld and The Life of Emile Zola, there has been a long-standing fascination with the "biopic" subgenre of cinema.

The 1940s brought such Academy favorites as Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Pride of the Yankees and Madame Curie. The 50s became an era of films that brought historical icons to life in Ben-Hur, Lawrence of Arabia and Cleopatra.

The rebellious 60s and 70s were something of a turning point. Bonnie and Clyde, Bound for Glory, Funny Girl and Lenny, to name a few, were films that tapped into the social consciousness of the times. Larger than life depictions had given way to the celebration of smaller stories as a new golden era was on the rise and American filmmakers began to tap into the European influence on cinema. Biopics had become character-driven rather than being broad history lessons.

The 80s would bring a notable explosion, with no less than ten nominees and five winners of the big prize in the decade while the 90s continued the trend, from glamorous gangsters (Goodfellas, Bugsy) to intimate looks at historic heroes (Braveheart, Elizabeth).

And now, in the first four years of the current decade, we've already seen one winner and eight of 20 possible nominees, three of them last year alone.

Biopics are now perceived as Oscar favorites from a distance, often even more so than films of considerable cast and crew pedigree. Many times, this turns out to be something of a false start.

Last year, Oliver Stone's Alexander was considered a frontrunner for the entire year - until it opened, bombed with critics and the public, and fell off of everyone's list of consideration.

On the other hand, Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator was equally thought of as a sure thing, and delivered eleven nominations and five wins.

2005 offers a host of filmmaking efforts hoping to carry the torch onward.

This year, Ron Howard's Cinderella Man was presented as a serious contender for end-of-the-year awards when it was released this summer. But then it was deemed a box office dud by most in the industry. But in spite of that early setback, I believe the film can make the same kind of comeback that boxing champion James J. Braddock does in the film.

George Clooney conveys Edward R. Murrow's legendary media battle with Senator Joseph McCarthy in the critically acclaimed Good Night, and Good Luck. David Strathairn stars as the deified newsman who ushered in a new era of journalistic integrity.

Bennett Miller directs life-long pal Philip Seymour Hoffman to what has to be seen as the actor's most accomplished portrayal to date in Capote. The film depicts author Truman Capote's creation of the non-fiction novel in "In Cold Blood."

Niki Caro, of Whale Rider fame, ushers the story of Lois Jensen to the screen, whose historical class action lawsuit of 1989 changed the course of business between the sexes in North Country. Oscar winner Charlize Theron stars as Josey Aimes in the fictionalized account.

Next week, James Mangold's Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line arrives, featuring show-stopping leading turns from Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

Laurence Dunmore's The Libertine arrives a week later, sporting Johnny Depp's most committed and searing performance to date as John Wilmont.

The month of December offers no less than five major biopics. Stephen Frears depicts the life of widow-turned-all-nude review producer Laura Henderson in Mrs. Henderson Presents. Lasse Hallström brings the sexual exploits of fabled romantic Casanova de Seingalt to the screen in Casanova. And Terrence Malick brings his artistic energy to the story of Pocahontas, including her controversial romance with John Smith in The New World.

Plus, there are two political efforts that are derived from true stories, Stephen Gaghan's Syriana, based on the memoir of CIA operative Robert Baer, and Steven Spielberg's Munich, recounting the Mossad's reaction to terrorism at the 1972 Olympics.

Perhaps these films will find luck with the Academy, perhaps not. But it's always worth considering that this organization shows a soft spot in their hearts for character pieces based in reality. With so many to choose from this year, 2005 looks to be no exception to the rule.

Coal miner's daughters, last emperors, and raging bulls will always have a seat at this table.

November 8, 2005

Previous Oscartown Columns

11.01.05 - Suggestion Card
10.25.05 - Youthful Digression
10.18.05 - Nothing New, Nothing Old... A Whole Lot of Nothing
09.01.05 - A Brave New 'Wood?

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