Oscars 2019: The field for the Oscar race so far
By Wesley Lara
Best Adapted Screenplay
Likely nominees:
- BlacKkKlansman – Spike Lee, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Kevin Willmott
- If Beale Street Could Talk – Barry Jenkins
- Boy Erased – Joel Edgerton
- Crazy Rich Asians – Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim
- Widows – Steve McQueen and Gillian Flynn
Though there’s not much room for a clear frontrunner in this category as of yet, the standouts in Adapted Screenplay are heads-and-shoulders above the competition, in terms of acclaim and Oscar buzz. The five likely nominees have been on the public eye’s radar for months now, specifically in the case of Spike Lee’s latest joint, BlacKkKlansman.
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Lee’s film was adapted from the memoir of the main star of the real story, Ron Stallworth, and ever since its Grand Prix victory at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, it has been riding a huge wave of momentum, earning critical acclaim and managing to rack up an impressive profit in its three weeks in theaters. The film, as of this writing, has grossed over $58 million and has consistently stayed in the top 10 at the American box office, even with the likes of The Meg, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and Crazy Rich Asians in theaters. With its commercial and critical success, not to mention the politics behind the film, Lee’s adaptation could be a force to be reckoned with in terms of its writing and the intriguing source material.
Not to forget Crazy Rich Asians, which has been the surprise Cinderella story at the summer box office. Having been released three weeks ago and still pulling in numbers above the $20 million mark each weekend, this successful adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s novel has earned marks not just for its light and comedic tone, but its writing and satirical nature. CRA marks the rare turn in romantic comedies where the romance is on equal standing with smart and thoughtful writing and considering the film’s monster success, best believe the writing will get some form of recognition.
Though adapting old television programs might do the trick, especially when the writers are two critically acclaimed storytellers on their own right. That’s the advantage Widows has, having been adapted from the 1980s show of the same name by Gone Girl writer, Gillian Flynn, and the Oscar-winning writer-director, Steve McQueen. The film’s subject matter could help propel it to Oscar heights, concerning the heavily feminist angle that has been teased in the trailers.
The political landscape in America could also channel the outrage over gay conversion therapy into a window of opportunity for the memoir adaptation, Boy Erased. Adapted by Joel Edgerton, this true story about the horrors of gay conversion therapy and study of the mind of a conservative family could strike a chord with both liberal audiences and conservative families that sees their ideology being told with a level of restraint and respect, which is the general reaction coming out of Venice Film Festival.
But if I had to go with the strongest nominee, I’d choose Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. An adaptation of one of the most acclaimed novels from legendary writer, James Baldwin, Beale Street already hints at being a powerful and devastating experience, with the poetic nature of Baldwin’s writing shining through, even in the trailer. Jenkins’ ensemble cast will only add to the scope of his ambitious adaptation, whose story of fractured love between two young lovers could easily resonate with the many Oscar voters participating in the voting process this year. It seems like poetic justice that this could lead to an Oscar win for a James Baldwin project.