Oscar Outlook 2012: The Hunger Games

Oscar Chances 2012: Hunger Games. I have to admit, initially, I was skeptical that Hollywood would make The Hunger Games happen. It's so unusually these days for a new phenomenon to either take shape on or carry over to the silver screen. But, the anticipation level for the first in the series of three (or four, if they stretch it out ala Twilight and Harry Potter) likely installments is building to palpable degrees. And the $100M production price tag appears to have been a wise investment. Its impending success almost feels like an afterthought. It's the next big book-to-movie transfer to spawn a franchise. And, it looks to target a slightly more mature audience than its comparable Twilight predecessor, which was gangbusters at the box-office, but lagged in critical support, as well as reputable awards body recognition. The Harry Potter brand that kind of kicked things off over a decade ago managed to garner great reviews (sometimes near perfect) for some of its sequels, but only a handful of nominations. Will The Hunger Games fall into a similar fate, or is there actually some potential to go further with the AMPAS?

What first got me thinking is when I heard many movie sites quoting director/coscreenwriter Gary Ross throwing his weight behind Jennifer Lawrence's performance. “The range in this performance, the emotional terrain that she investigates, the demands of what this role are ... an intensely physical role and an emotional one. She carries the entire movie ... Do I think she should be nominated? Absolutely.”  Of course, he's going to sing her praises; there is a lot riding on his effort. But, could there also be an objectivity to his assessment? (Isn't that one of the skills of a great director?)

Skeptics chimed in about Lawrence's casting at the beginning. But, if you've seen Winter's Bone, and read the first Hunger book, you have to admit that choosing her was an inspired decision. In her Oscar-nominated role, she negotiated the Ozark backwoods through life-threatening conditions to save the integrity of the family she became the default guardian of. That's the general scope Lawrence worked within while adding some breathtaking nuances. I defy anyone to suggest that Katniss Everdeen is much different. And, while she the part may not provide further challenges for Lawrence (aside from the physical nature of the character), it gives her the opportunity to stretch her wings in a big-budget endeavor that will give her the exposure her talent deserves.

The cast includes Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Jack Quaid (sole celebuspawn of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) and Donald Sutherland. This is Ross' (Big, Dave) third directing project after Pleasantville and Seabiscuit (also starring Banks).  The author of the books, Suzanne Collins, also produced, as well as adapted Games along with director Ross and Billy Ray (Shattered Glass). She co produced with Ross' partner Robin Bissell, as well as as a host of others. Coeditor Stephen Mirrione (nominated for Babel, won for Traffic) is Steven Soderberg and George Clooneys' go-to celluloid snipper. He most recently worked his magic on the taut thriller The Ides of March. He collaborated with Juliette Welfling (nominated for The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), whose first film was Cousin cousine way back from the 1970's! (You may recall that title from the Oscar Revisionism series.) She often works with Jacques Audiard, as well as Julian Schnabel.

Camera Man Tom Stern has been worked alongside Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood since his gaffer days on Honkytonk Man. Having moved his way up to chief lighting technician to finally cinematographer, he scored an AMPAS nod for Changeling in 2008. Production designer Philip Messina has worked closely with Steven Soderbergh and set decorator Larry Dias has a history with M. Night Shymalan. Costume Designer Judianna Makovsky (nominated for Seabiscuit, Harry Potter I, Pleasantville) has received many accolades for her work. Composer James Newton Howard has been nominated eight times for Oscar and created the main title theme for ER. He has been involved with many of Kevin Costner's directing efforts, as well as several movies starring Julia Roberts and used to work with Shymalan. Composer T-Bone Burnett won an Oscar for Crazy Heart and contributed to such prestigious projects as Walk the Line, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Cold Mountain.

Lionsgate produced and will distribute this wide release on the 22nd of March. Other upcoming major releases from the studio seem to go through the marital cycle: The Wedding, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and The Marriage Counselor. With another headlining release being Dark Tide starring Halle Berry, and smaller speciality films such as Gay Dude, The Cabin in the Woods, it seems Lionsgate will place all of its award season muscle behind Hunger, with, perhaps, a push for Richard Gere in Arbitrage. The project filmed last Summer in North Carolina and will likely prove to be worth the gamble.

With a cinematic treatment a little more sophisticated than the Twilight franchise, I’m predicting a home run. People have got Hunger fever and it’s about to explode. Don’t be surprised if it starts collecting awards traction by the end of this year, especially in the technical categories. Director Ross foresees n nomination for his heroine.  Right now, it appears pie in the sky hopes. But, considering that Hollywood's version of Lizbeth Salander just got a lead nod for its young actress, anything is possible. The right recipe could put Lawrence, as well as many others involved in the project, in contention.

How excited are you for The Hunger Games? Über or meh?

Also on the Radar:

Anna Karenina     Beasts of the Southern Wild     The Dark Knight Rises     Dark Shadows     Great Expectations     The Great Gatsby     Hope Springs     The Hunger Games     Hyde Park on the Hudson     Lawless     Lola Versus     Lovelace     Low Life     Prometheus     Ruby Sparks     Smashed     The Surrogate     Won't Back Down 


The Avengers     The Amazing Spider-Man     Men in Black III