The award accolades are starting to roll in earnest today, as the Independent Spirit Awards nominations were announced. The top five best film contenders are: the romantic (500) Days of Summer; immigrant dramas Amreeka and Sin Nombre; The Last Station, a historical film about the last years of Leo Tolstoy’s life; and Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, the dark urban drama about an abused teen living in Harlem, who is just trying to escape her awful life.
Now, I haven’t seen Amreeka, Sin Nombre or The Last Station, but I have seen (500) Days – which is clever and sweet and unpredictable and likely won’t win. I have also seen Precious, which is just one of those movies so hard to watch and yet so hard to forget once you do. Its star Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe, as well as comedian Mo’nique – who is truly horrifying as the girl’s abusive mother – also received Spirit nods for best actress and best supporting actress, respectively. Let me tell you, newcomer Sidibe is in for the ride of her life because she going to be handed many more of these to come. And as far as its Oscar chances, certainly Precious will be a contender, as will Sidibe, but my feeling is it is too dark for the Academy voters to give it the big prize.
The other best actress Spirit nominees includes: Helen Mirren for her role as Tolstoy’s wife in The Last Station (Christopher Plummer also earned a best supporting actor nod as the aging Russian author); Nisreen Faour for Amreeka; Maria Bello for the romantic thriller Downloading Nancy; and Gwyneth Paltrow for the dark romance Two Lovers.
For best actor, nominations went to Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart (more on that later, dear readers – interviewing him tomorrow); Colin Firth for A Single Man (stay tuned for more on this one, too); Joseph Gordon-Levitt for (500) Days of Summer; Souleymane Sy Savane for the buddy drama Goodbye Solo; and Adam Scott for the sibling story The Vicious Kind. Sigh. I probably won’t be able to see all these movies now, but eventually I will. Oh yes, eventually I WILL.
Also nominated for best first feature is the horror sensation Paranormal Activity, which was shot for just $11,000 and has taken in more than $100 million at the box office. It gives one hope, doesn’t it? Just grab your hand-held camera and go to town.
The Spirit Awards will be presented March 5, two days before the Academy Awards, in a ceremony airing on the Independent Film Channel.