Drive My Car named Best Film of 2021 by the National Society of Film Critics
The Japanese film could make waves at the Oscars.
Love for the international feature film Drive my car has been palpable through different groups of critics. It was recently named Best Picture by the LA Film Critics Association and the New York Critics Circle. It is not surprising that today the National Society of Film Critics, which consists of critics selected and then elected in various mainstream media, named Drive my car the best photo of 2021 at their 56th annual meeting. The film is directed by Ryusuke hamaguchi, who also directed the highly acclaimed Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy. Hamaguchi was selected as the best director for his work on both films. Little mom, from Portrait of a Lady on Fire director Celine Sciamma received second place, and The power of the dog received third place.
It is very likely that Drive my car may get some love at the Oscars after today’s announcement. Previous year’s winners included Nomadic country and Parasite, both won Best Picture at the Oscars of their respective years. Although a victory is not guaranteed for the Japanese film, ParasiteThe historic victory of as the first international film to win the Oscar for Best Picture sets a precedent for the film. At the very least, that makes a nomination for Best Picture extremely likely.
The film is about the relationship between an aging actor and his driver, and the Academy is known to love films about show business and acting. With films expected to be major contenders like Do not seek and Alley of nightmares encountering mixed reviews, from the public and critics, it paves the way for Drive my car be a competitor. With the Oscars nominating ten films for Best Picture, its chances of doing so are very high.
Other notable winners include Penelope cruz, receiving the award for best actress for Parallel mothers, and Hidetoshi Nishijima receiving the award for best actor for Drive my car. Cruz’s victory indicates a better chance of entering a well-attended category of Best Actress at this year’s Oscars, which includes actresses such as Lady Gaga (Gucci House), Alana Chaim (Licorice Pizza), Olivia Colman (The lost girl), Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), and Kristen stewart (Spencer). Historically, most of their top acting picks seem to at least be Oscar nominees. Nishijima hasn’t received enough buzz (and campaign) to make his performance expect an Oscar nomination, but his victory here isn’t disheartening.
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