Category: Best Writing

Based on the autobiography of Solomon Perel, Marco Hofschneider portrays Perel when he was a Polish Jewish teenager who is separated from his family during the early days of World War II, winds up in a Soviet orphanage, and later finds himself hiding his identity as a Hitler youth. It’s an incredible story that would be hard to believe if Perel weren’t still alive to tell it. Hofschneider’s portrayal goes a long way to presenting the cleverness and adaptability of Perel while the film itself serves as a reminder that those who managed to survive did so only by a combination of luck and sheer determination. 

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Inexperienced sheriff Anthony Perkins seeks help from bounty hunter Henry Fonda in keeping the peace in his small town. Anthony Mann directs some of very solid, nuanced Westerns and this is no exception. I always have a hard time adjusting to Perkins as any character that’s not Norman Bates adjacent, but he serves well as the over-his-head newcomer. Fonda is not out of his element here, contending well as the grizzled, wise veteran who would rather have Perkins quit than glean any of the knowledge he has to offer. 

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen

Recently released from jail, curmudgeonly painter Alec Guinness searches for financing and a location for his next work of art. With a voice that sounds like he’s been eating pinecones for dinner, Guinness perfectly encapsulates the eccentric artist who is driven to create and cares not for anyone who gets in his way, certainly not the rich patrons who might be willing to pay for such work. A really amusing performance, Guinness carries the film, which he also wrote, and everyone else just needs to stand out of his way. 

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

The adulterous love affair between Jeremy Irons and his best friend’s wife Patricia Hodge is told in reverse chronological order from a meeting two years after the affair ended to the first moments when Irons’s indicated his attraction to Hodge. Based on the semi autobiographical play of the same name written by Harold Pinter, the narrative is intriguing for its real life implications and innovative backwards storytelling. My biggest complaint would be to Ben Kingsley’s role as the cheated on spouse. His somewhat cool removed comes across as if he were aware of the affair from the beginning and just didn’t care, which seems to be at odds with the tale as laid out.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium