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Do you know when it was the last time that the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay awarded a script written only by a woman? It was 1995 and it was Emma Thompson's for Sense and Sensibility. Thankfully, it is a bit better for the Original Screenplay category so for this week's Thursday Movie Picks, I'm going to pick only original screenplay winners, my three favourites written by women only.
Lost In Translation (2003) - Sofia Coppola
Juno (2007) - Diablo Cody
Thelma & Luoise (1991) - Callie Khouri
I do love a theme within the theme! This is a fine way to go! Even if I don't love the three films you chose I did at least like all of them.
ReplyDeleteOf the three Thelma & Louise is probably the one I found the most accessible thanks to the leading performances even if I thought the resolution extreme.
I LOVED Juno's parents so much more than the rest of the film which I thought was a trifle too clever for its own good. Saying that it was an enjoyable view.
Lost in Translation had been so praised to me before I watched it I suppose that played into my being underwhelmed by it when I finally caught up with it. I thought it was fine but feel zero pull to ever revisit it.
Mine have a bit of a theme, actually many similarities-all originals, all having to do with crime, all nominated for Best Picture and all winning in consecutive years in the 70's.
The Sting (1973)-David S. Ward-When their mutual friend is murdered in 30’s Chicago small-time crook Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) teams with seasoned conman Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) to exact revenge on crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw) who ordered the hit. Joining with an odd assortment of colorful associates they formulate a long con to settle the score. Jaunty caper flick was a reuniting for the stars and director of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid ending up being showered with Oscars (7 in total including Best Picture as well as three other nominations) and leading to a jazz revival courtesy of its Scott Joplin musical score.
Chinatown (1974)-Robert Towne-What he assumes will be a routine infidelity stakeout soon becomes an incredibly complex web of deceit and murder for L.A. private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) when he discovers he was hired by an imposter and is being used as a pawn in a game with deadly stakes. Smart, stylish mystery amassed 11 Oscar nominations but only Towne won for his original screenplay.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)-Frank Pierson-Young and desperate Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) and his not terribly bright buddy Sal Naturile (John Cazale) attempt to pull off a bank heist in Brooklyn that quickly goes wrong. Trapped inside with the tellers a standoff, first with NYPD Sgt. Moretti (Charles Durning) and then FBI agent Sheldon (James Broderick) escalates into a media circus leading to a tense conclusion. Forceful, incisive drama garnered six Oscar nominations but again only Pierson actually picked up the award for his screenplay.
I haven't seen Chinatown yet, but I loved both The Sting (probably my favourite heist movie) and Dog Day Afternoon. The latter was so good it should have won all the awards, not just the script.
DeleteI'm in complete agreement about Dog Day Afternoon! I will admit it had some fearsome competition that year but even so it belonged in first followed by Jaws, then Cuckoo's Nest, Nashville and finally the beautiful looking but ponderous Barry Lyndon.
DeleteI'm very variable on Jack Nicholson, though the years before he turned into "Just Jack" are where he is much better, but he might be the best he ever was in Chinatown and the rest of the cast and film are at his level.
I just finished reading Cuckoo's Nest and I'm very interested in seeing the movie for Nicholson as the character fits him like a glove. As for Chinatown, I will watch it eventually.
DeleteI like how you included photos of the script! I still haven't seen Thelma and Louise, but I enjoyed the first two!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in the mood to write so I went for that instead.
DeleteWasn't really into Thelma and Louise but I do love Juno and of course if you know me, you know about my love for.... THE BEST FILM EVER MADE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say it's the best film ever, but it's pretty damn good.
DeleteGreat choices. I haven't seen Lost in Translation yet but I LOVED Juno and Thelma and Louise! Also really nice choice including the script!
ReplyDeleteThank you! You really need to check it out because it's great (one of Scott's best).
DeleteGreat theme shaowcasing women and I really like Juno especially the parents and I enjoyed Lost in Translation and would like to see it again. Thelma and Louise..well, it was ok although the Gena Davis character was a bit ..no just dumb as a brick which set everything in motion and that ending? No...just no...beyond stupid.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the ending is a bit weird and far-fetched, I'll give you that. But other than that I adored the film.
DeleteNot a fan of Lost in Translation. I prefer Coppola's adaptation of The Virgin Suicides which was never nominated.
ReplyDeleteI do like Juno but I haven't seen Thelma & Louise.
I loved The Virgin Suicides and it was a shame the script wasn't nominated as it deserved it.
DeleteI love all your picks, those are three great movies!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear that :)
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