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Oscar Predictions: The Directors

By Eric Robinette | Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 07:09 AM

We’ve taken a look at the Oscar nominees in front the camera, now we look at the nominees behind it.

BEST DIRECTOR

  1. Martin Scorsese, The Departed
  2. Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, Babel
  3. Clint Eastwood, Letters from Iwo Jima
  4. Stephen Frears, The Queen
  5. Paul Greengrass, United 93

Most Oscar forecasters agree that Martin Scorsese, regarded by many (including me) to be the greatest living movie director, will take leave of his unlucky streak and take home a statue for “The Departed,” the biggest hit of his career. But is he beatable? Let’s look at the other candidates and see.

The director’s branch of the Academy has often made bold nominations that few other groups would. This is how Greengrass made the cut, as a kind of kudos for getting “United 93” made and doing so with such distinct style. That’s as far as the Academy will go, but this very talented man will be back in contention soon.

Like Scorsese, Stephen Frears is a highly respected filmmaker, and that considered, it’s rather astonishing that this is only his second nomination, after “The Grifters.” He’s overdue, but some see “The Queen” as a glorified TV movie, so his chances are shaky.

Clint Eastwood is a god to the Academy, and his double-barreled shot of Iwo Jima movies (the other being “Flags of Our Fathers”) is indeed an impressive achievement that deserves recognition - and he has it via the nomination. Considering Eastwood won just two years ago for “Million Dollar Baby,” he won’t repeat a triumph over Scorsese, who was nominated the same year as “Baby” with “The Aviator”

Inarritu has steadily gained clout over the years for quickly developing a signature style of interlocking stories with intense drama and very strong performances. Some see “Babel” as his best work yet, but others see it as one too many trips to the well.

So it’s rather ironic, then, that Scorsese gets some of his best notices in years for returning to the well that has served him so well, the crime movie. Some gripe that “The Departed” isn’t in the league of “Goodfellas” or “Raging Bull.” Indeed it’s not. But that kind of thinking didn’t stop the Academy from awarding Al Pacino in “Scent of a Woman” or Paul Newman in “The Color of Money,” (directed by Scorsese) and few would call those their best performances. Scorsese’s time has come. If anyone besides he or Greengrasss wins this, there will be a large hole in whatever screen I’m watching the Oscars on.

SHOULD WIN: With his masterful sense of time and place, and his knack for creating eerie and tense moods, Greengrass did the actual best directing of the bunch.

WILL WIN: But will you NOT hear me complain when Scorsese’s name is called.

MONDAY: The Actors

TUESDAY: The Actresses

THURSDAY: The Pictures

FRIDAY: Recap, plus other categories

SUNDAY: Live-blogging

Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Oscars Sunday Night

Comments

By MisterG

February 21, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see Scorsese win as well, if only because he hasn’t yet, though I haven’t caught “Departed” yet. I did catch “United 93,” however, and would not be unhappy if Greengrass wins for his truly masterful job.

By Kim S.

February 21, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

They should really call this “Marty and a bunch of other guys.” And if Babel’s director wins instead, it’ll be MY television with a hole, not to mention the wall in my apartment!

By Allie D

February 21, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

I agree completely with this post. I’m pulling for Marty all the way here!
 

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