Gradually, mainstream films are returning to more adult themes, some timeless, others topical. The year also graced moviegoers with a refreshing number of films by women directors such as Tamara Jenkins, Sarah Polley and Laurie Collyer.
In addition to the usual overload of cinematic nonsense 2007 gave moviegoers a fistful of films which attempt to come to grips with the war in Iraq. Unfortunately, with the exception of Paul Haggis' In The Valley of Elah, most tended to preach to the converted, and none have been able to find much of an audience even among the converted.
George Clooney delivered his best performance by far as the burnt-out fixer for a law firm who's major client marketed a carcinogenic pesticide responsible for several deaths in Michael Clayton. Always brash and glib, in several scenes Clooney has mastered the art of wordless acting, letting the audience read his thoughts in some of the films' most effective scenes.
Denzel Washington portrayed a drug czar in American Gangster and, in The Great Debaters (which he also directed) poet, educator and activist Melvin Tolson. Debaters is the sort of film we need more of, with a compelling story that scores many points and takes a good long look at the America of the not so distant past when endemic racism was overt rather than covert.
Although its brilliance in all departments overrides this, the Cohen brothers' No Country For Old Men is probably the second most unnerving film of the year. Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem etch indelible portraits.
There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson, depicting the California oil boom, contains a towering performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as the voracious capitalist, Daniel Plainview. A gripping portrayal of capitalist greed, its nihilist vision irreparably cripples the film.
Teresa Jenkins' The Savages is a bitter comedy featuring two brilliant actors, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney as brother and sister having to come to grips with their fathers' senility.
Sherrybaby by Laurie Collyer depicts working-class Sherry's attempt to go straight after her release from prison on a drug conviction. Maggie Gyllenhahl's portrayal of this weak, yet endearing woman is awesome.
Away From Her by Sarah Palley showcases Julie Christie as a woman who requests her husband put her into a home at the outset of Alzheimers.
Days of Glory by French-Algerian Racchid Bouchareb takes a look at the racism suffered by French Africans fighting against Hitler.
Best Picture Nominees
No Country For Old Men
There Will Be Blood
Michael Clayton
Atonement
Juno
My Pick: Michael Clayton
Predicted Winner: Atonement
Best Actor Nominees
George Clooney (Michael Clayton)
Daniel Day Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah)
Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd)
Vigo Mortenson (Eastern Promises)
My Pick George Clooney, Michael Clayton
Predicted Winner: Daniel Day Lewis
Best Actress Nominees
Julie Christie: Away From Her
Cate Blanchett Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Marion Cottilard: La vie, en Rose
Laura Linney: The Savages
Ellen Page: Juno
My Pick: Marion Cottilard
Projected Winner: Julie Christie
Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck: Assassination of Jesse James…
Javier Bardem: No Country for Old Men
Phillip Seymour Hoffman: Charlie Wilson’s War
Hal Holbrook: Into the Wild
Tom Wilkinsom: Michael Clayton
My Pick: Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Predicted Winner: Casey Affleck, Assassination of Jesse James
Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett: I’m Not There
Ruby Dee: American Gangster
Saoirse Ronan: Atonement
Amy Ryan: Gone Baby Gone
Tilda Swinton: Michael Clayton
My Pick: Ruby Dee – American Gangster
Predicted Winner: Cate Blanchett – I’m Not There
--Michael Shepler is poetry editor of Political Affairs.
