Reviewing the Oscars: Everything Everywhere All at Once and Women Talking

Is an historic night for Everything Everywhere All at Once the first millennial Oscars?

The Hong Kong inspired, multiversal action sci-fi film dominated the 95th Academy Awards held on Sunday night.

In a sweep of all the major categories it competed in, Everything took home best picture, best directors (Daniels), best original screenplay, best actress (Michelle Yeoh), best supporting actress (Jamie-Lee Curtis) and best supporting actor (Ke Huy Quan).

The only category of the ‘top seven’ that Everything did not win was the best actor (Brendan Fraser, for The Whale) and that was because no one in the Everything cast was eligible.

It was a stunning return for the film, whose subject matter and tone would simply never have previously been a fit for the Academy’s voting body.

More traditional offerings such as The Fabelmans, Elvis and TAR would surely have been the frontrunners had they been entered before 2018.

But the voting body has been forced to diversify in recent years, largely as a result of public campaigning and accusations that the group was skewed towards white, elderly men and their tastes.

ALSO READ: #MovieReview: ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ is this year’s most polarising film

A raft of new members from previously marginalised groups were added, which has completely changed the complexion of the awards.

It is certainly a positive change that will hopefully usher in better representation on screen going forward, but had not had the direct effect as promised until this year’s awards.

Everything is a proudly weird film, which centres an Asian-American family and reflects the frantic pace of modern life with the internet and social media.

It is pitched at a millennial audience and will likely not land with anyone over 50, perhaps this is what the Oscars will reward going forward.

At the very least, Everything deserves the recognition for its ingenuity.

Women Talking
Over the past year, I reviewed nine of the 10 nominees for Best Picture award, which can all be found at northcoastcourier.co.za.

ALSO READ: #MovieWrap: Our top picks of 2022 movies

The only outstanding film, Women Talking, never made it to South African cinemas but is available on Amazon Prime and to purchase elsewhere.

Aptly titled, Women Talking is largely set in a barn, where a group of Mennonite women debate the best way forward after it is revealed they suffer consistent sexual assault in their community.

They have to decide whether to stay or leave as their faith, friendship and resolve is tested.

It feels very much like a stage play and relies on the performances of its leads, rather than any visual flourishes from director Sarah Polley.

That stage-like quality was recognised with a best adapted screenplay win at this year’s Oscars.

The debate is certainly worth listening to in the post-#MeToo era, but may be a bit heavy for some.

Rated PG-13 for strong themes and language of sexual assault.
3.5/5.

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