An Academy Award can’t help a bad film!
Since their inception in 1929, the Academy Awards have established themselves as the pinnacle of recognition in the film industry. Among its prestigious accolades, the title of Best Picture stands out as the most coveted, representing the highest honour a film can attain. While most winners of this esteemed category are deemed worthy of the acclaim, there have been instances over the years where certain Best Picture recipients have failed to resonate with audiences. In this list, we aim to narrow those particular films down.
The primary reason why Shakespeare in Love has not aged well in the eyes of general audiences is largely attributed to its Best Picture win. Despite being considered undeserving, especially in competition with Steven Spielberg's WWII epic ‘Saving Private Ryan’, it remains one of the most underrated films of the 1990s and a standout of 1998. With its blend of wit and romance, the film portrays a youthful and creatively blocked William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) who finds inspiration in a spirited woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) to pen one of his most renowned works. Skillfully crafted, visually stunning, and brimming with heartfelt romance, ‘Shakespeare in Love’ benefits from superb direction and the exceptional chemistry between its leads. While it may not excel in any particular aspect to justify its seven Oscar wins, the film would likely garner greater respect if not for the heightened scrutiny brought about by its accolades!
Argo is a political thriller with a heavy emphasis on politics rather than thrills and centres on a CIA agent's risky mission to rescue six American hostages in Tehran. Operating under the guise of a Hollywood producer scouting a film location, the film offers a relatively intelligent and gripping narrative, bolstered by strong performances and an engaging storyline. However, in a year filled with formidable contenders such as Amour and Django Unchained, it's perplexing how Argo emerged as the Academy's choice for Best Picture in 2012. Despite its entertaining elements, Argo falls short due to its forgettable plot, uninspired direction, and historical inaccuracies. Consequently, it has earned a reputation as one of the most lacklustre Best Picture winners of the 2010s. While still worth viewing for those aiming to complete their Best Picture watchlist, there were undoubtedly superior films released that year, a fact that history has corroborated.
The 1980s had its share of cinematic successes, but not all the Best Picture winners from that time have proven enduring. Some films from that era haven't aged as well! Among them, Out of Africa stands out as arguably the most forgettable choice by the Academy. This period romantic epic follows a Danish baroness (Meryl Streep) in colonial Kenya during the 20th century as she embarks on a passionate affair with a charismatic hunter (Robert Redford).
Though 'Out of Africa' has commendable directing and stellar performances, it falls behind when measured against other 1986 nominees like timeless classics such as 'Witness' and 'The Color Purple.' While it doesn't egregiously falter in any aspect, it also fails to distinguish itself. For much of its duration, the film settles into a state of mild tedium, making it one of the least favoured Best Picture winners among movie enthusiasts when it comes to revisiting!
There's little left unsaid about Crash that hasn't already been voiced. Widely criticized for its heavy-handed preachiness and emotional manipulation, the film is often regarded as one of the poorest choices for a modern Best Picture Oscar winner. Set in post-9/11 Los Angeles, it portrays a convergence of unremarkable characters whose lives intersect over a 36-hour period, sparking tensions. While multi-story narratives with interconnected fates were not new territory upon Crash's release, the film fails to offer anything fresh or compelling. Despite its commendable complexity and ambition, a lackluster screenplay, forgettable performances, and themes of prejudice that are delivered with questionable subtlety weighed Crash down.
In every decade, there's typically at least one film that stands out as notably underwhelming when compared to its fellow Oscar recipients. Nonetheless, the Academy Awards continue to reign supreme as the most prominent and esteemed honours in the world of cinema.
