Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” left the list of unseen awards hopefuls following a screening packed full of press and SAG members Wednesday night. Like all of the media onhand we are embargoed from reviewing the film online or in print, but we can discuss its awards prospects. And, for a studio that already has Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” and Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” on deck, Sony Pictures can certainly add “Women” to their treasure chest.
A Best Director and Original Screenplay nominee for Best Picture nominee “Lady Bird,” Gerwig makes her biggest impact in adapting Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1868 novel. Gerwig takes a lot of creative license by chopping up Alcott’s original straightforward narrative into a plot with two congruent narrative timelines. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s confusing, but even in a competitive Adapted Screenplay race, Gerwig’s peers could recognize her for attempting something different with an established story over 150 years old. As for a Directing nomination, that seems like a tougher task. There are a number of inspired moments, but for the most part Gerwig’s choices are less creative than with her directorial debut.
The film’s biggest awards season chances are with Saoirse Ronan, who plays Jo March, and Florence Pugh, who caps off an incredible individual year as Amy March. Both actresses bring a depth and charisma to their characters that often isn’t on the page and at times carry what seems to be a classic narrative. Ronan will compete in the Best Actress category while Pugh will battle it out amongst the Best Supporting Actress field. Neither are locks for a nomination, but have as good a shot as six or seven other contenders to crack 3-4 slots in each category.
The rest of the cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep, Eliza Scanlen and Emma Watson, among others. It would be hard to see any of them earning Oscar nods, but overall the cast seems primed to land a SAG Ensemble Nomination. Of course, that’s not a guarantee as that is also a blood bath of a race this year with “Once Upon A Time,” “Bombshell,” “Hustlers,” “Marriage Story,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “The Irishman,” “Ford v Ferrari” “Rocketman” and “Downton Abbey” (don’t laugh, it won Ensemble for a Drama Series three times) in the mix.
In terms of below the line categories, two-time Academy Award winner Alexandre Desplat conjures up another beautiful Original Score even if Gerwig relies on it a little too much throughout the proceedings. Oscar winner Jacqueline Durran fashions some wonderful costumes that should easily see her on a shortlist for a potential seventh Best Costumes nomination. Hair and Makeup is also a possiblitiy with that category expanding to five nominees this year, but we’re not convinced “Women” can crack the Cinematography or Editing races.
And, of course, that leaves the top prize, Best Picture. At this point “Little Women” could be a Best Picture nominee, but it’s among eight to 10 pictures on the bubble for up to five final slots. A lot will depend on only guild nominations and a holiday box office frame that will occur right before nomination voting begins. What might help the film buck the odds is the Academy’s established admiration for Gerwig and a cast that is almost universally beloved. Any Christmas box office success could just push it over the top.
It’s worth noting that only three potential Best Picture players remain unseen at this point. Sam Mendes’ “1917,” Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell” and, of course, Tom Hooper‘s…“Cats”!
Topline Oscar predictions
Best Picture
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Director