Talkback: Can Drive Win Oscar Nods... In Any Category?

For a lot of moviegoers, Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive was the film of 2011 (ditto that soundtrack). Nevertheless, at Nerve, Jett Wells echoes the sad realization of several a Drive-loving Oscar-watcher: Academy Award nominations are about as unlikely for your stylish crime pic just like a clean getaway is ideal for Ryan Gosling’s boyish, near-mute anti-hero. Wells cites arguments that have sailed around the Oscarsphere since Drive first demonstrated this summer season having its hipster flair, violent streak, which fancypants pink font, including its too-modest box office, youthful-ant slant, and inadequate “Hollywood moments:” Even though it’s deeply with debt to Hollywood genre traditions, Drive lacks the majority of the standard beats nowadays’s blockbusters. I’m mentioning to people Steven Spielberg moments: a crying grandfather, a twenty-ft shark explosion, a grandiose score, a sizable, apparent emotional payback. These sentimental elements aren’t totally absent from Drive, but Refn is a lot more subversive about showing them, carrying this out subtly too as with layers. But what endeared him to experts will in all probability hurt him come February — Academy voters are suckers for tearjerkers. I’d reason why the elevator scene, awash in surreal romanticism — company, mind-stomping — can be as indelible a movie moment every this year. But Wells is suitable Oscar chatter nowadays is War Equine, War Equine, Descendants, The Artist, War Equine. For any supporting jerk for Albert Brooks? Sure, it’s possible. And also the Bernie Rose can be a terrifically terrifying surprise turn, nevertheless it’s still a extended shot. (See S.T. VanAirsdale’s latest Oscar Index for much much deeper honours season analysis.) If perhaps Refn could edge his distance towards the pointing race, but technical nominations appear more likely. So please chime in, dear visitors — which Oscar groups could Drive certainly compete in, for reals? Five Reasons Drive Won’t Succeed Within the Oscars [Nerve]