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Our look at the Best Picture nominated films at the 2022 Academy Awards
With the 2022 Academy Awards just around the corner on 28th March, we take a look at each of the films nominated for Best Picture.
Belfast
Dir: Kenneth Branagh | Universal Pictures
Taking place during the ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, the story follows 9 year old Buddy living in Belfast with his Protestant family, as they get sucked into the violence filling the streets. Based loosely on the childhood of director and writer Kenneth Branagh, the film pays tribute to the families in Belfast who lived through The Troubles, with great performances from Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench and debut actor Jude Hill.
CODA (WON)
Dir: Sian Heder | Apple TV+
An English-language of the French original, CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) follows Ruby, the only member of her family who can hear, who helps her parents and brother keep their business going. Ruby goes to audition for the school choir but panics as she had been bullied for her speech as a child. After being accepted, she is drawn to her latent passion for singing.
Dune
Dir: Denis Villeneuve | Warner Bros. Pictures
The second big screen adaptation of the epic novel from Frank Herbert, Dune focuses the story of Paul, the son of a noble family who aim to protect their claimed desert planet and its precious resource ‘spice’, a substance that allows heightened vitality. Dune features an all-star cast, including Timothée Chalet, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem.
King Richard
Dir: Reinaldo Marcus Green | Warner Bros. Pictures
This biographical film follows Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, as he aims to turn his daughters into the professional tennis players we know today, overcoming the insurmountable odds against a primarily white, upper-class sport, with an amazing performance from Will Smith in the title role.
The Power of the Dog
Dir: Jane Campion | Netflix
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this western drama about a domineering rancher Phil, who behaves cruelly towards his brother’s new wife and her son Peter. After abuse from Phil and his range hands, Peter discovers Phil’s homosexuality and Phil starts to show decency to Peter, yet continually lashes out at his mother Rose.
Don't Look Up
Dir: Adam McKay | Netflix
This satire from Adam McKay focuses on celebrity culture, technology and politics, all of which Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence's characters must navigate in order to warn humanity about a comet, on a direct collision course with Earth. Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Jonah Hill also star in this outrageous comedy, which is simultaneously funny and depressing.
Licorice Pizza
Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson | Universal Pictures
Set in California's San Fernando Valley, in the 70s, Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman make their incredible film debuts in this captivating and authentic love story. Partially based on a true story, the film is a combination of Paul Thomas Anderson’s hometown memories and the real-life accounts of friend Gary Goetzman.
Drive My Car
Dir: Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Bitters End
Yûsuke, played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, begins to unravel the mysteries his wife left behind after her unexpected death, in this independent Japanese drama from director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. Drive My Car is a beautifully made film, adapted from Haruki Murakami's short story.
Nightmare Alley
Dir: Guillermo del Toro | Searchlight Pictures
Based on the 1946 novel of the same name, this neo-noir thriller, from director Guillermo del Toro, stars Bradley Cooper as a charming but hapless carnival worker who aims to con a dangerous tycoon to boost his fledgling career. With a star cast, including Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe and Rooney Mara, Nightmare Alley is dark, full of suspense and unpredictable.
West Side Story
Dir: Steven Spielberg | 20th Century Studios
The feature-length adaptation of the 1957 stage musical, from director Steven Spielberg, follows the famous story, set on Manhattan's Upper West Side, of the fight for control between the Jets and Sharks. This joyous remake is intoxicating, progressive and is sure to dazzle at the 94th Academy Awards.
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