The 5 Worst Shutouts from the 92nd Oscars

Note: only including films which were entirely shutout, so I won't be talking about the issues I have with snubs for Parasite, The Lighthouse, The Irishman, and so on from specific categories., though there were certainly snubs there particularly for The Lighthouse.

5. Waves 

An interesting example in that I don't altogether love the film - I have plenty of issues with the overly flashy directing and some of the writing - but I still think it would have been a very worthy nominee in various categories, particularly some of the performances nominated. Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell are wonderful in the two lead roles and carry both their sides of the film beautifully,   but it's Sterling K. Brown who was the biggest snub of all, pouring his heart and soul in a wonderfully nuanced portrayal of a domineering yet loving father - disappointing how Brad Pitt could basically slum and charm his way into a nomination while sterling (no pun intended) and powerful work like this was almost completely ignored this awards season.

Deserved to be nominated for: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography

4. Portrait of a Lady on Fire 

It wasn't eligible to be nominated for Best International Film on account of Les Miserables being submitted as the French entry (still need to check that one out), but this still deserved more love in other categories, in the vein of Cold War last year, particularly for its absolutely gorgeous cinematography which lives up to that title, as every frame is quite frankly a portrait (more on that at a later junction). Céline Sciamma's striking direction and screenplay make for an absolutely transformative cinematic experience into a particularly minimalist yet powerful romance, held together by two great performances by Noémie Merlant and especially Adèle Haenel - and that finale is up there with the best endings of the year. 

Deserved to be nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress x 2, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing

3. A Hidden Life 

Fox Searchlight ditched this from contention a long while back but I was still hoping for a long shot chance of getting in for Cinematography. Terrence Malick's return to form was not received with rapturous applause which is a shame, since while it's far from a perfect film it is a brilliant one in many regards. That James Newton Howard score, disqualified from contention early on for its heavy use of pre-existing music, is just a tragic snub as the main theme alone is such a stunning original piece. Then there's the phenomenal leading performances of August Diehl (yes it's that crafty Nazi  Inglorious Basterds fame) and Valerie Pachner which combine such wonderfully restrained and expressive performance styles into a truly profound dynamic.

Deserved to be nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score

2. The Farewell 

Oh good lord, seeing this completely shut out at the Oscars was PAINFUL especially since earlier on it seemed poised to be the big indie contender of the year. Particularly excruciating was seeing the wonderfully composed leading turn of Golden Globe-winning Awkwafina as a young lady caught between two cultures, and the brilliant performance by Zhao Shuzhen as the beating, complex heart of the film's narrative, snubbed in favour of some okay but rather rote Oscar bait roles (seriously, the SNL caricatures of Bombshell's Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie over these ladies? Okay boomer.) Lulu Wang's work also shouldn't be forgotten both as a director and screenwriter.

Deserved to be nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay (though it should have been campaigned in Adapted)

1. Uncut Gems

Blimey, Adam Sandler himself has threatened to make the nadir of awful comedies in the wake of his Oscar snub so yeah, this is on you Academy. Anyway, that joke aside, this film's complete snub by the Academy on one hand speaks to the weakness of A24's campaign tactics, for while I appreciate that they divided their support equally among the films in contention this year, it did possibly play a part in their snubs across the board. Anyway, this is the most tension and anxiety-inducing film of the past year, a marvellously directed thriller by the Safdie brothers where the razor-sharp editing and score makes everything from the simple buzzing of a door to an NBA game such memorably intense experiences. The Sandman himself is amazing in the role of Howie and really did deserve a nomination, as did Julia Fox, but what're you going to do. Such an unfortunately snubbed film across the board.

Deserved to be nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Mixing