You might expect Harvey Weinstein to be resting on his laurels after securing a staggering haul of nominations for “The Reader,” a film seen by few and disliked by many. However, in an ominous statement to Pete Hammond, Weinstein reveals that he has no such intention. In fact, he’s set his sights on pulling off a similarly shocking coup on Oscar night itself:
I tell people its nice we got all the nominations but do not count yourself out. You have a real chance to overtake this all. We’ve seen that happen with ‘Crash’ and ‘Brokeback Mountain’. It’s all great. The only thing I can say is the race ain’t over. It’s just beginning.
(Kate Winslet’s lead actress nomination was) the first indication I had we could win the Best Picture, not just be nominated. WIN. Because to put Kate in there showed such incredible passion for the movie. They knocked her out of supporting, and the other movie (“Revolutionary Road”) to do it.
Is them fighting words? Sounds like it to me. He also adds that he believes “The Reader” to be a film that reveals itself over multiple viewings, saying that it “works on a three or four times basis.” Maybe so, but you could also say that the film’s chilly lack of immediacy is a failing rather than a virtue. I wonder if most of the AMPAS members who put it on their ballots actually watched it more than once.
Meanwhile, I can’t help wondering what the atmosphere in the Mendes/Winslet household is like this morning.
Comments
19 responses to “Not content with the nomination”
And so the unnecessary bashing of ‘The Reader’ on this site continues. “Seen by few, disliked by many” – what a redundant blanket statement.
Sure, Weinstein is a bit of a cock. But you guys seem to be really biased about this at the moment, and it’s really corroding your wonderful site for me.
Fine, you really didn’t like it. But there’s a real vibe on here that people who did are somehow spectacularly unable to digest film properly. It’s a shame.
Is this guy’s head as bloated as his ego?
The Dark Knight snubbed for what?
The Reader? What? You kidding?
I wouldn’t mind having seen In Bruges sneak in but
this? The Wrestler and Gran Torino would’ve kicked her behind if they got their chance.
The only Harvey worth talking about is the
legend that is Dent!!
DARK KNIGHT!!! DARK KNIGHT!!!
DARK KNIGHT!!! WE (The People) Love Ya!!!
They SNUB we SNUB.
Why so serious now eh, eh?
Slam dunk this punk!
What does he know about a good film (and an
enjoyable one)?
Take a seat fool, Slumdog’s coming!
“But there’s a real vibe on here that people who did are somehow spectacularly unable to digest film properly.”
You’re totally putting words in my mouth there, Patrick.
The truth is, the film hasn’t been drawing the crowds, and it’s had a mixed critical reception with some high-profile detractors. (Its Metacritic score is 58.) That’s all I mean by the statement.
For my part, I don’t think the film works. But I get why some people respond to it.
Perhaps I was, but in addition to what Kris wrote in his initial reactions post, that’s definitely the impression that comes off. I think it’s really negative and alienating, personally.
Weinstein’s reach is starting to become disturbing. Now, I really like The Reader. It’s a very good movie, but I can name twelve movies I liked better since it wasn’t even in my top ten. I’m very distressed by this hold Weinstein seems to have on the Academy because eventually you have to question the ethics of this hold. Why does this keep happening? While there is no guarantee The Reader took Dark Knight’s spot for Best Picture there is no question this pattern is reaching a point of consistency that one cannot help but wonder how deep Feinstein’s pockets are what Good Time Harvey does with his money. This is starting to get the appearance of impropriety. I’m hoping the fact yet another out-of-left-field BP nod for one of his movies will force the Academy to reconsider its rules on trade paper advertising and set up some rules either limiting the money, the number of ads or banning the all together by declaring any film caught advertising to be declared ineligible.
Interesting words from Harvey, but yes, I am very surprised by The Reader’s move into BP. I can’t help but think that there are more deserving films out there that could have taken that slot. Winslet is a wonderful actress but that alone cannot carry a film, see Clint in Gran Torino. Take care, The Rake at thefilmnest.com
Harvey is only talking this up because it is yet
another film to talk about the holocaust. Move on.
Schindler’s List did it much more tastefully and respectably and cannot be touched.
He knows The Dark Knight was a far better film than his and is just trying to justify where he is,
that doesn’t mean he’ll win, far from it.
This time he got in but on another day In Bruges,
The Wrestler or Gran Torino after TDK would’ve been up there, he just got lucky.
Nobody wants to see a dull, boring, sad and depressing film win so justice will be done when
a Brit gubs him and brings a joyous, happy vibe
with Slumdog. Danny Boyle did Trainspotting
amazingly so good luck man!
I really think this site needs to get over TDK exclusion and stop dumping on The Reader- as I said before TDK may not have been even 6th and The Reader may have been 4th not 5th. And surely NO ONE believes The Reader will win best picture, so why give Harvey the free publicity??
Question! At 60% on Rotten Tomatoes (with an atrocious score of 54% from the Top Critics) and 58 (mixed or average reviews) on Metacritic is “The Reader” one of the lowest scoring films ever nominated for best picture? It’s certainly the worst this decade.
Yeah. Reveals itself to be worse and worse. I’ve brought the screener with me to SB just to give it another peek. Maybe I’M the crazy one.
Harvey Weinstein can suck it.
^^maybe that’s how the film got the BP nomination
it kind of irks me that someone clearly so powerful will just come out and say right away “this is about politics not quality”. I mean we all obviously know such is the truth but I guess it just doesnt feel very… artistic (to quote rosie perez in White Men can’t jump).
And yet at least “The Reader” is inciting passion (whether it be love or hate). “Frost/Nixon” on the other hand is just sitting around twiddling it’s thumbs and say “oh, ME?!”
Patrick, when The Reader gets in ahead of The Dark Knight, there is bound to be contempt for the former of the two. I liked The Reader, a good bit in fact, but nowhere on the same level as TDK.
Glenn: I agree. Just because “Frost/Nixon” was inevitable, doesn’t mean it should get a free pass.
To quote another blogger: “THESE ARE MY CHOICES?!”
Kris — nope, my friend you are not crazy, it’s a weak film — Winslet is terrific in a supporting role, but beyond that…
Weinstein bought another one didn’t he? The man is a maggot, a bully who some people remain terrified of. I wonder if he realizes his film got in for not a single good reason to do with the film itself?? Really sad…the Oscars became less relevant this year.
Who ate all the Pies? That’s a difficult one..um..
Big Harvey? Doh!