These two movies are earning early Oscar love
Two great movies. One embraced by the Motion Picture Academy, the other by critics and moviegoers in Los Angeles and New York.
Welcome to the Gold Standard, the newsletter from the Los Angeles Times that helps guide you through the ins and outs of the awards season leading up to the Oscars.
I’m Glenn Whipp, The Times’ awards columnist and your newsletter host.
Oscar voters love ‘Loving’
Jeff Nichols’ beautiful, moving civil rights drama “Loving” has a place in the best picture circle of trust in my current Oscar predictions, and a recent screening for Motion Picture Academy members confirmed my belief in the movie.
The audience, made up of academy members and their guests, gave lead actors Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton long, sustained standing ovations for their turns as Mildred and Richard Loving, the couple who fought the state of Virginia to recognize their interracial marriage. The Supreme Court ruled in their favor in 1967.
“Loving” also found respect with academy voters attending its premiere, and Focus Features had to turn away about 30 people at a weekend Screen Actors Guild screening. The common thread through all three events was a deep appreciation for the sensitive way the filmmakers told the Lovings’ story, a vital piece of U.S. history that most in attendance marveled they didn’t know before seeing the movie. I’d encourage you to check out the movie when it opens next week.
‘Moonlight’ is the year’s best-reviewed movie
After grossing more than $400,000 in just four theaters last weekend and continuing to sell out shows during the week, it’s clear that Barry Jenkins’ intimate coming-of-age drama is poised to become an indie and, perhaps, crossover hit. I’ve been beating the drum for this movie since March, and every step of the way — festival reactions, reviews and now box office sales — it has exceeded expectations. With a 100 rating on review aggregator Metacritic, it prompted the New York Times to ask, “Is this the year’s best movie?” Rolling Stone’s review gladly supplied the answer.
Our film critics are definitely on board. You can read Kenneth Turan’s review here (first sentence: “‘Moonlight’ is magic”) and Justin Chang’s thoughts on the film, which he saw at the Toronto International Film Festival, here. Both capture the essence of this special film.
More on ‘Moonlight’
Times film writer Tre’vell Anderson has done a superb job covering some of the stories behind “Moonlight.” He profiles playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, who wrote the movie’s source material. (“It’s a palpable snapshot of memories and dreams that is difficult to sit through,” McCraney said. “The first time I saw it, I went through a pretty bad depression. The second time, I burst into tears midway through. It’s hard. It’s rough.”) Anderson also interviewed Janelle Monae, who has a small part in the film. Best known for her music, Monae will also be seen in another anticipated movie, “Hidden Figures,” later this year.
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