Mariah Carey Connection

Dave Karger’s OscarWatch Entertainment Weekly Blog:

So there’s this movie that came out today; it’s called Precious. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Ever since its Sundance premiere all the way back in January, people have been using the O-word (no, not Oprah) when talking about the film. Now that it’s finally out, I can run down its chances in all the major categories:

PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE

Best Bets
Best Picture: In a year featuring several strong independent films (The Hurt Locker, An Education, A Single Man), it’s easily the indie with the best shot at Oscar.

Best Director, Lee Daniels: With only his second feature, he stands to become the second African-American nominee in this category (after Boyz N the Hood’s John Singleton). Spike Lee must be seething.

Best Actress, Gabourey Sidibe: Her heartbreaking performance will be even more irresistible once Academy members realize she’s actually the opposite of her downtrodden character.

Best Supporting Actress, Mo’Nique: The comedian galvanizes the film with her shocking turn as an abusive mother. She’s another contender who can win over voters as the season continues.

Best Adapted Screenplay, Geoffrey Fletcher: Fletcher skillfully synthesized Sapphire’s brutal novel into a vividly emotional and ultimately hopeful script.

Possibles
Best Supporting Actress, Mariah Carey: Once people get past the strange concept of Carey as an Oscar contender, they won’t be able to deny the power of her few scenes as a social worker. If you ask me, she more than deserves to be in this race.

Best Original Song, “I Can See in Color”: Mary J. Blige’s spare and raw track perfectly reflects the film’s emotional impact. But is it too spare for the music branch?

Long shot
Best Supporting Actress, Paula Patton: She has perhaps the film’s least showy role, but Patton is an angelic presence as Precious’ caring teacher. If the movie becomes a phenomenon, she could benefit with a nod.

Source: Entertainment Weekly