Wins: Picture, Director (Robert Redford), Supporting Actor (Timothy Hutton), Adapted Screenplay
Other nominations: Actress (Mary Tyler Moore), Supporting Actor (Judd Hirsch)
Why I watched it:
1) Most recent Best Picture winner I hadn't seen
2) It was on instant watch
3) Set to go off instant watch on Feb 1. - catch it while it's there
My parents have mentioned to me how much they liked this movie, and I'm very glad that I finally watched it. The title really tells you what it's about: regular people struggling with problems regular people can understand. Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland (hi President Snow) living with their son, Conrad, in an upperclass suburb of Chicago and dealing with the passing of their elder son, Buck. The parents have a journey and struggle that is heartbreaking, but the real story to me is about the surviving son, played by Timothy Hutton. I guess I don't fully understand how the Academy determines who has a supporting role versus a lead role, because to me, it's all about Timothy Hutton. Which is probably why he snagged the Oscar - the youngest winner for Supporting Actor ever. Dealing with survivor's guilt, trying to readjust to the world without his brother, and being unable to connect with his mother - There's a lot going on for this character.
It's not flashy. It's incredibly understated and very realistic. One of my favorite aspects was that the dialogue incorporated the awkwardness of many interactions. There's a scene where mother and son have an exchanged where each is saying the same thing, yet neither seems to hear/absorb what the other is saying. Also, Conrad's courtship with Jeannine is so. fucking. adorable. Like everything about it.
Did I cry? Yes sir. Definitely a tear jerker towards the end. Ugh Timothy Hutton - why must you torment me so?
Random discoveries: Hmm, Elizabeth McGovern...that name sounds familiar. To wikipedia...OMG it's Cora! AHH! I love Downton Abbey - no wonder Jeannine was weirdly familiar. Speaking of weirdly familiar - guess who else is in this one. Jayne from Firefly! Weird!
Next movie: In theatres - The Hobbit. At home - Before Sunrise (so I can watch Before Midnight before the Oscars)
Ha! I just watched this the other night, and I was also wondering how Hutton was a "supporting" actor. Though Donald Sutherland was heartbreak and takes it over at the end. And I totally didn't recognize Adam Baldwin or Elizabeth McGovern! They're sooo young in this movie.
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