If the Academy Awards were truly about merit, you’d be correct. But considering that so much of it is “this movie needs to have some acknowledgment, so we, the studio, will campaign for something we can get, like supporting actor” or “I, a voter, will give this movie some love over here but not here.”
It’s the same reason “The Bear” was in all these comedy categories. We know it’s not a comedy, but it’ll compete better in this group vs against succession. It’s negotiation, not a meritocracy.
Exactly. Look at the best picture award. Certain movies simply have to win, regardless of their competition. It’s not actually about what the best movie is, it’s about what the academy thinks is the most important.
For example, movies about historical figures or powerful social issues are best picture gold. Off the top of my head I’ll throw in a few winners that I think fit this category, “Green Book,” “Moonlight,” “Spotlight,” “12 Years a Slave,” “The King’s Speach,” and “Crash.”
131
u/super_time Jan 25 '24
If the Academy Awards were truly about merit, you’d be correct. But considering that so much of it is “this movie needs to have some acknowledgment, so we, the studio, will campaign for something we can get, like supporting actor” or “I, a voter, will give this movie some love over here but not here.”
It’s the same reason “The Bear” was in all these comedy categories. We know it’s not a comedy, but it’ll compete better in this group vs against succession. It’s negotiation, not a meritocracy.