The Edge of the Frame

Well, there you have it folks. The Producers Guild of America chosen “The King’s Speech” and “The Social Network” loses its first major Best Picture award this year. This is a major coup in the race for this year’s Oscars, easily the biggest (if not the only one that’s occurred this season). So I guess the question on everyone’s mind is, how upset am I?

Not really. I mean, let’s face it. Even I think that an Oscar race with absolutely no suspense whatsoever really is kind of boring. As exciting as it is to see your favorite film drive a clear path to big night, winning every award in sight, the Academy Awards are a bit more exciting when you’re biting your nails when the envelope is opened. I wish the award could have gone to a little bit more worthy of a film, like “Toy Story 3,” “The Fighter” or “Inception,” but c’est la vie. The only thing that I do have to worry about is that my biggest fears of only the critics, and not the industry itself, embracing the film.

Well, a bit of history. While the PGA has managed to line-up with Oscar the last three years, before that it wasn’t always such a lock. “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “The Aviator” and “Moulin Rouge” all won the award without going on to win the Oscar. Also, the last three films to win the award also swept at least two of the other three major guilds, which “The King’s Speech” will certainly not be able to do.

It’s interesting that after all the critics awards, after all of the propaganda and the pundits, it comes right back down to what do many said it would be back in October: “The Social Network” vs. “The King’s Speech.” It’s the generation-defining landmark film vs. the Oscar-pedigree heartstring puller. It’s Rudin vs. Weinstein. Even though “The Fighter” is definitely poised to take down the Screen Actors Guild ensemble, it doesn’t have the same type of steam that either of the two frontrunners have. I’m even using the same picture that I concocted almost 4 months ago when I posted this blog’s very first Oscar predictions of the year. Bottom line is that even though “The Social Network” is still the favorite, it’s not over yet.

In closing, on a completely different note, GO BEARS!!! Gave it a hell of a run. Especially you, Forte. And I would be delighted to see Caleb Hanie at the helm next season.