Even after “The King’s Speech” surprised at the Producers’ Guild Awards and took a dozen Oscar nominations, I held on to the notion that critical favorite “The Social Network,” a film more in line with the Academy’s recent choices, would emerge victorious on Oscar night.
However, Kris called it right. When the former film’s comparatively inexperienced director can beat a heavyweight field of Darren Aronofsky, Christopher Nolan and the Davids Fincher and O. Russell to the Directors’ Guild prize — and for a film that’s widely been deemed, rightly or wrongly, an actors’ showcase more than a director’s one — it’s clear the tide has turned. It pains me to say it, folks, but the stammering-royal drama is your Best Picture winner.
That said, I’m not willing to hand Hooper an accompanying Best Director Oscar just yet. Although the Academy and the Guild have parted ways in this category just six times in 64 years, their last such disagreement strikes me as a pertinent one.
In 2002, freshman director Rob Marshall won at the DGA for runaway Best Picture frontrunner “Chicago,” leaving still-unawarded veterans Martin Scorsese and Roman Polanski on the sidelines. The Academy, however, wasn’t quite so welcoming to the newcomer: his film still emerged triumphant in the big race, but Polanski pipped him to the post.
Will the Academy be similarly reluctant this year to let the Best Picture juggernaut sweep its helmer to the podium ahead of four more seasoned (and three more due) filmmakers? I imagine they might be, but perhaps my vision is just clouded by my own personal bewilderment at the turn the race has taken. I’m no “Social Network” die-hard, but I think it’d be a shame to deny a filmmaker as significant and substantial as Fincher a career-crowning Oscar for such a universally approved vehicle, least of all in favor of a directorial achievement as modest as Hooper’s. But that’s me. Clearly industry folks feel differently.
Is the year’s most acclaimed film really going to wind up with just a writing Oscar to its credit? Even “L.A. Confidential” managed more than that.
In other news, it was no surprise that Charles Ferguson took the Guild’s documentary award for “Inside Job” — though with only a two-film overlap between the DGA’s and the Academy’s nominees in this category, it’s not the most conclusive of Oscar bellwethers. (Fun fact: in 20 years, just two DGA-winning docs have gone on to take the Oscar. Last year’s “The Cove” was one of them.)
Meanwhile, here’s some cold comfort for “Shutter Island” fans: Martin Scorsese just won his second DGA gong… for “Boardwalk Empire.”
Comments
166 responses to “Tom Hooper wins DGA Award”
“Travesty is the right word: though its proximity in letters to ‘tragedy’ has long resulted in dumbasses using the words interchangeably…”
Dumbasses also overlook the fact that when something is referred to as a travesty, it’s very often shorthand for a “travesty of justice” (something grossly unfair), and not a mistaken substitute for “tragedy.” Because it may be sad that Gosling wasn’t nominated, but it’s certainly not tragic.
Red_Wine: The Departed skewed male, older, and was packed with Hollywood stars. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is younger, female-driven and led by a comparative unknown. Moreover, The Departed wasn’t a remake of a crossover hit from the year before. I just don’t see it.
Suit yourself: reading the omission of a contender who never really got traction as a grotesque parody of justice seems more over the top to me than calling a pedestrian win like Hooper’s a burlesquing of this otherwise respectable-ish branch. But probably this is a matter of taste.
Oh come on… What a Joke…
This is pretty unfortunate. Interesting point about 02. It is also worth noting the pianist had a lot of momentum, broadly with Brody and writing-adapted getting Oscars. Also, generally, we often see more acclaimed films get ‘direction’ in split years and tsn-tks fits the mold.
I guess members of the guilds are loving Kings Speech. But am I alone in thinking that it was sort of just a well acted HBO movie? It just didn’t feel cinematic or truly special to me, whereas the other contenders – Yes, Social Network, but also Black Swan and definitely The Fighter, were better directed and, at least for me, better movie going experiences. I think that tomorrow’s SAG Awards will tell the story. If The Fighter wins supporting actor and actress and ensemble, as I believe it will — showing huge actors support, I think the race will solidify as The King’s Speech VS The Fighter, with Social Network getting just a screenplay win. And I think this is going to definitely be a year with a director/picture split. At least it’s interesting, so I can’t complain much.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking The King’s Speech isn’t “acclaimed,” DarkLayers.
“I guess members of the guilds are loving Kings Speech. But am I alone in thinking that it was sort of just a well acted HBO movie?”
How is The Social Network any different from an episode of The West Wing set at Harvard?
See, it works both ways.
That is Fantastic News! I hope Speech is able to grab flick, director, actor, and cinematography at the Oscars, anything more will be a bonus for me.
Yikes. Further proof that the award season is totally and utterly meaningless. TV directors pick TV director to win. Shocker.
I keep thinking about the crowd reaction shots during Firth’s speech… some kind of internet meme just waiting to be created there…
It speaks VOLUMES that a relative “unknown” can walk away with the DGA, beating out more well-known “auteurs”. Maybe it just sticks out more as a film. Maybe there was a Fincher/Aranofsky split? Even a Fincher/Aranofsky/Nolan split? Maybe it’s political again. After Bush the world craved FEEL-GOOD and chose Slumdog. With such political ups and downs recently people way just want to warm themselves up again? And they sure as hell won’t do that with the doom and darkness of Inception, Black Swan and Social Network.
I don’t know… But it’s just weird, if Rob Marshall and John Madden couldn’t win the Oscar, I can’t see how Tom Hooper can, really?
Remember, they both had 13 nominations each (and one of them a DGA). But will Oscar give the Director Oscar to a newcomer for his second film? When was the last time they didn’t give it to a “veteran”? Aside from Sam Mendes (American Beauty) it hasn’t happened for decades, unless you where a very successful actor stepping into directing shoes.
I wouldn’t call the likes of Steven Soderbergh, Peter Jackson, Danny Boyle et al “veterans,” but I get what you mean by the term.
An obvious precedent you’re forgetting (not least because of the Weinstein connection) is Anthony Minghella. “The English Patient” was only his third feature — and his first, I’d bet, that most Academy members saw.
No offense to anyone who likes The King’s Speech, but I don’t understand how you could be a film lover and not be embarassed by the fact that the King’s Speech is going to sweep the Oscars. Tom Hooper’s direction detracted from the movie, not enhanced it. Any time I tried to get into the movie his awkward shots took me completely out of it. It’s incomprehensible to me. I get that it’s an interesting story, but the best picture shouldn’t go to the best story, it should reward great filmmaking which The Kings Speech quite frankly is not.
Sorry but I don’t get what the big deal about “The Social Network” is. I haven’t seen the movie, I plan on this week- but judging by the trailers it seems like a self-righteous snob fest for quiet white males who aren’t happy people in real life. Who cares about the creator of facebook? It’s not a compelling story, the man is a billionaire. He was sued because of what exactly? “The King’s Speech”, which I have seen, was a majestic film of grace and poise. It’s about time a period film won this thing again.
That being said, David Fincher will still win the Oscar for best director. So don’t lose your faith SN fans.
For a bit of perspective – The King’s Speech is the fourth highest rated film in the Oscar ten on metacritic. Behind Network, Toy Story 3 and Winter’s Bone. Its 88 is, from memory (since the ridiculous metacritic redesign seems to have buried the old page that gave you a rundown of award winners and their scores by year), a very good score in the scheme of previous BP winners. It’s better than Slumdog, Departed, Chicago and Million Dollar Baby.
Anyway, this is a long way of saying that Speech is still critically acclaimed and worthy of the win, if that’s your criteria.
That’s devastating news. Since when it is all about rewarding the BP frontrunner and not the greatest achievement in directing? Hooper’s direction was by far the worst of the 5 nominated directors, and you should assume, the director branch itself would recognize that. TKS can win BP, fine, but there’s no way I can accept a win for directing (or cinematography) on oscar night. Just devastating.
I would not have any of the 6 directors nominated for Best Director by DGA or the Oscars in my Director Top 5 line-up for the year. So one person winning is as good as another person winning as far as I am concerned.
This might be off topic, but Helena Bonham-Carter slights her performance again:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a300923/bonham-carter-wants-fewer-tim-burton-roles.html
“I feel like I’m flying on their coattails.”
Of course Fincher did a better job but Hooper did a remarkable job too; TKS is one of the most convincing period pieces of all time.
I keep thinking back to that most cliched of Oscar moments, Sally Field saying, “You like me.”
They like The King’s Speech.
Most of us liked it.
Apparently you don’t have to love something to vote for it. You don’t have to think it’s groundbreaking filmmaking.
You just have to think, “I liked that one.”
To whoever said we’ll now be getting more movies like “The English Patient” and “Shakespeare in Love”: if only “The King’s Speech” were as perfect as “Shakespeare”.
The saddest thing about all of this is already on display among these very comments, a lashing out at Tom Hooper for beating the big favourite, as if Hooper made a terrible film and is a hack and all that. Except he’s not. I haven’t even seen The King’s Speech yet, but I saw The Damned United last year, a damn fine, sadly overlooked film. Stop blindly bashing people just because they beat your guy. Stop taking all this shit so fucking seriously, it’s not the end of the world for anyone involved.
While I would say the Best Picture race is now a done deal, I do think if there ever was to be a year with a Best Picture / Director split, it’d be this year. While Fincher might not have the back catalogue a la Roman Polanski, he’s certainly made a lot of fine films over the years. He may not be due, but he has plenty of goodwill from past films. Hooper on the other hand, is pretty much unknown.
In fact, looking at IMDb, Hooper fits in quite well with Best Director “losers” Rob Marshall and Paul Haggis. They all directed the popular Best Picture winners but none of them had a very long, storied (feature film) directing career behind them.
It’s surely not the open and shut case it seemed like it was, but I wouldn’t be so quick to say Hooper’s going to win the Oscar. It’s definitely a race now though.
There’s more passion for “The King’s Speech”. Sorry but I don’t know anyone who is saying “I LOVE The Social Network. It’s such a wonderful, heartfelt film.” Please. It again, looks self-indulgent and sexist.
One can never forget that the DGA has done stupid things before — Robert Benton for Kramer vs Kramer over Francis Ford Coppola for Apocalypse Now? Robert Redford for Ordinary People over Martin Scorsese for Raging Bull? Richard Attenborough for Gandhi over Steven Spielberg for E.T.? Kevin Costner for Dances with Wolves over Scorsese (again) for Goodfellas? Robert Zemeckis for Forrest Gump over Quentin Tarantino for Pulp Fiction? James Cameron for Titanic over, God, Curtin Hanson for LA Confidential or the non-nominated Atom Egoyan for The Sweet Hereafter? On the other hand they are known to nominated more women than the fickle Academy, have awarded Spielberg more nominations than any other director, and seem to know that Frank Darabont and Christopher Nolan direct movies. So as good as they are, the DGA has been known, many times to screw up — last night they did just that. Hooper made a very good, but very conservative and seen it before historical biography, while Fincher made a masterpiece — in ten years which film do you think we will be talking about? How many times do you hear Apocalypse Now or Raging Bull discussed as great films? And Kramer vs Kramer and Ordinary People..thought so.
why does it pain you to say it Guy, i thought you didnt like The Social Network, unless you feel The Kings Speech is even worse?
From bad to worse. I hated TSN-mania (not the movie or Fincher, but the stupid sweep as if nobody else made a good movie) but this is not what I hoped for an upset. Nolan, Aronofsky made amazing original movies but generic Oscar bait wins it all? Way to go PGA, DGA and Oscars (they snubbed Nolan, nuff said).
I`ll watch the Oscars for Franco and Catwoman, though. I hope they knock it out of the park because there are too many naysayers. Love them both!
I woke up this morning and then read the headline. Shock and disappointment came to my mind.
I saw The King’s Speech last night. It’s a good film but some of the parts were better than the whole result. Colin Firth is nothing short of brilliant and totally deserved the Oscar he has already locked.
But I wonder if the film could be better. The script fell flat sometimes and the narrative took a turn for the conventional. Rush was good in his role, but Guy Pearce was a lot better. The climatic speech is a great cinematic moment, but the film dragged in the middle.
Hooper did a good job by making some stylistic choices that took the film out of the Masterpiece Theatre terrain. But if you asked me, there’s no way that Hooper did a better directing job than Fincher, Nolan or Aronosky. Hooper is one talented fellow (I prefer what he did in The Damned United, IMHO a superior film) but he doesn’t deserved the DGA award. His work
So, what happened then? Maybe the votes splitted and helped Hooper to get the award. Maybe the guild was throwing its support to the film and sending a message of support to TKS in the Oscar race. But there’s no way that Hooper did a better job than Fincher, who I think was robbed.
Looks to me that there’s a rejection of The Social Network somehow or the way critics made it the presumtive winner a long time before the race even begun. I still think is the best film of the pack (I haven’t see the fighter or true grit yet) but looks seriously that The King’s Speech looks destined to sweep the Oscars on February 27th.
Looks like confortable and familiar wins over risk and different this year. And that’s very sad.
@The Other Mike: I like The Social Network. I don’t personally treasure it, but I think it’s a smart, valuable film.
I think The King’s Speech (which I reviewed here) is a dull, fussy and unevenly acted ornamentation of a historical footnote. They’re leagues apart for me.
Neither TSN or TKS is a memorable movie. Outside of fanatical critics and bloggers, nobody cares for TSN and that movie is poised to keep Slumdog and Hurt Locker company in bargain bin a year from now. People simply don`t care. So for all TSN fanatics who think that, if TKS wins Best Picture, it`s gonna be some memorable deplorable upset a la SIL over SPR or Crash over BBM, nope. TSN is a fad. Even Fincher sees that. The guy has talent in spades and guts to admit that this movie ain`t his best nor the best thing since sliced bread as some are making it out to be.
So bargain bin it is for both TKS and TSN just wait and see. I always sneer when I pass by it at wallmart and see HL and Slumdog. The era of forgettable winners continues. Honestly, was there anything that people still remember winning since ROTK? No matter what one thinks about it (and I think FOTR should`ve won – a masterpiece), everyone knows it and people did care about LOTR at the time and many fans still do. And it isn`t like there weren`t critically acclaimed boxoffice megablockbusters since then that could easily win. Screw both TKS and TSN. seriously, been there done that crap. Inception and Black Swan all the way. Now those two will be talked about for long.
The formula for KS is simple. Likable characters overcome adversity and with a happy ending.
Nothing thought provoking, nothing controversial,. People say it is heart felt but it is really just a classic old studio formula film. I imagine Frank Capra would have made it with Jimmy Stewart. He would have been great. This is a terrible decision. They are back to voting for Dances with Wolves and Forest Gump. Time to be realistic and face the fact that this could easily be a 12-0 split. I do not think Bale is safe, not at all. He is just lucky his movie has a happy ending and his character overcame his problems.
Time to be realistic and face the fact that this could easily be a 12-0 split.
Not a chance.
It’s starting to sound like it might be time to exit this Oscar season, online discussion-wise. All this negativity and bickering is really off-putting, and sucks any anticipation of the actual show out of me.
sosgemini – your points are clearly valid.
It is hard to resist the probabilities. As a sports fan I know that low probability events happen. Still The DGA is right about 90% of the time and it is hard to believe that it will be wrong this time. Best director means Best Picture about 6/7 so the math is the math. I am not hoping for a miracle on Oscar night. The one consolation is that this will elevate several films to cult status. Sometimes losing the Oscar ironically helps in the long run and time is the real test. I still think Inception is the one movie this year that is going to be remembered, but I think SN and Black Swan will now be cult films as well.
It’s a shame people have to bash Dances With Wolves. It’s a gorgeous film. And I say that as someone who believes Goodfellas should have won that year too.
I’m slightly surprised. But isn’t Hooper big with Directors (from tv work, too, and whatnot)?
I prefer TSN as a film and for it’s direction. But I don’t see this as a travesty. TKS is an assured work, in my opinion.
Question: since there have been a few momentum shifts in this season of late … when do final ballots have to be in? I feel like there could be a new momentum shift where TKS is peaking a tad early, and the wind could change towards The Social Network ‘again’ or TG or The Fighter, or something.
Mark, I slightly prefer Dances with Wolves to Goodfellas as a film and for it’s direction. I would have been fine with either winning.
I think TKS is a lovely little film, but I can’t really think of it of such a directorial achievement with the competition it had. Even from the point of view of an ‘actor’s movie’, I’d go with The Fighter, but oh well. I liked all these movies a lot anyways, can’t really complain that much.
I haven’t completely changed my mind yet over Fincher. I’m waiting for tonight’s SAG Awards, and if TKS doesn’t make it, then I’ll keep my hopes for him. But if it happens, then it’s checkmate.
Remember that “what’s better than winning the critics awards?” TSN fanposter? lol
“Time to be realistic and face the fact that this could easily be a 12-0 split.”
Guy’s right. Not happening.
@JJ1: Nice to see some love for Wolves. Yes it’s extremely earnest but it’s also beautifully photographed, hauntingly scored and deeply stirring.
I wonder if one’s amount of outrage corresponds to the length of time spent oscarwatching.
I’ll seen all manner of snubs, upsets, and head-scratchers dating back to the mid 90s. How many great films in a given year aren’t even nominated?
There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about what’s happening with TSN and Fincher. Yeah, they won 5,000 critic awards. But what does that ultimately even mean when you’re dealing with a completely separate voting body, THE voting body that matters.
Critics are meant to create and help guide the discussion, not dictate it. The Hurt Locker was a one-off, set apart because of it’s historical nature.
The moment you start taking Best Picture = THE BEST FILM OF 2010 serious is the moment you need a new hobby. BP is a snapshot captured in time by 6000 people, nothing more. Love the movies you love, and if Oscar agrees, fine.
@JJ1
Ballots go out Wednesday and are due back two weeks later, the 16th by 5pm.
If TKS completes the guild hat trick today, with the added bonus of stellar box office buzz this weekend, there’s not enough time for a backlash or buyer’s remorse ala Golden Globes and Avatar.
I liked TKS, and thought it was directed just fine. But (TSN is my favorite of the year so I’m biased) TSN was obviously better directed. I was getting comfortable with TKS most likely winning picture and TSN winning director, but now I’m just shocked.
This year is soooo much better than the last three years or so have been at the Oscars. There seems to be more excitement in how things could go. I personally don’t take it as seriously as possibly other people do, but I also don’t like to convince myself that things are set in stone (even when history and recent developments in the current race say otherwise.) I of course “vote” for the most obvious movie to win each category on Oscar night (for money and bragging rights ;^P) but I wouldn’t lie if each time the name is about to be called (especially in a category where I am passionate about a certain nominee that may or may not have a chance at winning) all of the prognostication and months of following the trends is thrown out the window as I stare in utter anticipation – and for those moments to me I really feel like anything could happen. Maybe that is naive, but it sure makes the whole experience more fun for me.
I honestly don’t think there is a bad film nominated this year (which is a relief b/c I am personally not a fan of either No Country For Old Men, Slumdog Millionaire, or The Hurt Locker) and any of the best director nominees certainly deserve an award (except the Coens ONLY b/c they’ve already won and this was hardly their best showcase of direction imho.) Since my favorite movie of the year, Enter The Void, was unjustly ignored in every category (obviously I jest :^D) then any other film that wins will just have to do. I think Hooper does deserve recognition for at least making a potentially stuffy period film feel a little more invigorated with some interesting compositions. But who knows what’s really going to happen? I for one will be excited and satisfied regardless of the way things turn out.
I still think TSN’s Oscar hopes are alive if it can snag the SAG ensemble award. However, it TKS takes it, it’s over…which would be so weird, given TSN’s dominance in the months prior to this one.
They’re going to deny an instant classic that will probably be ranked amongst the greatest of all time and choose a forgettable british period piece, sound familiar to anybody? (cough) 1998!
Guy: That leads me to wonder, was “The Godfather” the favorite when it won in 1972? because “Cabaret” took home all the other major awards.
Wow, this race is even more boring now than when everyone was whining about the probability of The Social Network taking a few awards.
Please SAG! make this race interesting. No “Fighter” and no “King’s Speech”. If “Social Network” wins SAG, which i’m heavily doubting it will, than there is still somewhat of a race left, but otherwise, this will be one of those ceremonies we look back on and ask “What were they thinking?”
DylanS: Obviously I wasn’t around in the 1970s, so I only have other people’s accounts to go on, but yes, The Godfather was the favourite. It won the DGA Award, by the way.
Maybe the younger-tinged SAG can give Ensemble to TSN? No? Thought not.
I thought I even heard that young members loved TKS. I guess we’ll see tonight. I hope The Fighter wins ensemble. That will keep me guessing, still – what will win BP.
And thanks, Loyal! :)