Via: The Envelope.com
With winners like best actor Jeff Bridges (“Crazy Heart”) and Mo’Nique (“Precious“), the Independent Spirit Awards looked a lot like the Oscars. But that’s not unusual. When Oscar front-runners compete at the Indie Spirits, they usually win. Recent examples: Penelope Cruz (“Vicky Cristina Barcelona”), Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (“Capote”), Charlize Theron (“Monster”).
Now and then there are rare exceptions – like last year when Mickey Rourke (“The Wrestler”) beat Sean Penn (“Milk”) – but that may have occurred in part due to griping that “Milk” wasn’t really an indie since it was produced for more than $20 million.
Missing from the nominees this year was the most notable indie of 2009 — “The Hurt Locker” — but that’s because it competed at last year’s Indie Spirits where it fared poorly. It wasn’t nominated for best film, director or screenplay, only for two acting spots (Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie). Both lost. Considering how solid “The Hurt Locker’s” awards sweep has been since, it really makes you wonder how much of that is due to a bandwagon effect gathered as “The Hurt Locker” juggernaut crashed through, first, the film critics awards, then the guild prizes, then tying “Avatar” for the most Oscar nominations. Would other award groups weigh it as lowly as the Indie Spirits did last year if not affected by what other awards do?
However, with “The Hurt Locker” out of the way, “Precious” got its due. At the start of derby season, back in November, it was widely considered to be the standout indie of the year. Some Oscarologists even pegged it to win the Oscar for best picture. Now it reaped five impressive Indie Spirit victories, including best picture, director, screenplay, actress (Gabby Sidibe) and supporting actress. That’s one short of the record (six) held by “Fargo,” “Sideways” and “Stand and Deliver.”
Meantime, “The Hurt Locker” still got its own separate due from the rival awards for indie film bestowed on the opposite American coast early this derby season, the Gotham Awards, which broke off from the Indie Spirit Awards in 2006. Back on Nov. 30, it won trophies for best film and ensemble.
However, the Gothams chose to snub “Precious.” Thus the curious game continues between these competing awards that, year after year, pick one of two top indies to the exclusion of another. Doesn’t that make you wonder how they would vote if not influenced by other awards?
BEST FEATURE: “Precious”
BEST DIRECTOR: Lee Daniels, “Precious”
BEST ACTOR: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”
BEST ACTRESS: Gabby Sidibe, “Precious”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Mo’Nique, “Precious”
BEST FIRST FEATURE: “Crazy Heart”
BEST SCREENPLAY: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, “(500) Days of Summer”
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY: Geoffrey Fletcher, “Precious”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roger Deakins, “A Serious Man”
BEST DOCUMENTARY: “Anvil!”
BEST FOREIGN FILM: “An Education”
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD: “Humpday”
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD: Director and Cast of “A Serious Man”
PRODUCERS AWARD: Karen Chien (“The Exploding Girl,” “Santa Mesa”)
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD: Kyle Patrick Alvarez, “Easier With Practice”
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD: Bill Ross, Turner Ross, “45365”
This year’s Oscars, air tonight at 8 on ABC:
Find out what other’s are saying about the movie “Precious”
