I love learning from those who have managed to sell their work and had it produced to a standard that makes it a contender for these prestigious awards. As usual the pundits’ are all in a fluff predicting who the winners will be at the 91st Academy Awards (the Oscars), which are going to be held on the 24th February this year. Frankly I’m not sure if I care who wins what, however the awards season is my favourite part of the year for two reasons.
First I look forward to someone being eloquent, funny and endearing; usually a host, but sometimes an actor in their acceptance speech – it doesn’t always happen. That having been said, brace yourself for some changes – this year at the Academy Awards there is no host. The last time the ceremony had no host was in 1989, so anything could happen.
And then there is the glut of information about the nominated films most of which I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing. And this is what really perks my interest as I learn more about the nominated screenplays. What I’m usually looking for is a list of titles to google in an effort to find the screenplays so that I can read them. It’s a little selfish, but I love learning from reading quality screenplays.
This year I’ve made it easy for you to access the screenplays… check out our Screenplay Archive, where you’ll find all of the 2019 contenders (and many others) for the two screenplay categories.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
If Beale Street Could Talk – Barry Jenkins
A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime. – IMDb
A Star Is Born – Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters and Eric Roth
A musician helps a young singer find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. – IMDb
Can You Ever Forgive Me? – Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
When Lee Israel falls out of step with current tastes, she turns her art form to deception. – IMDb
BlacKkKlansman – Spike Lee, David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel and Kevin Willmott
Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events. – IMDb
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs – Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Six tales of life and violence in the Old West, following a singing gunslinger, a bank robber, a traveling impresario, an elderly prospector, a wagon train, and a perverse pair of bounty hunters. – IMDb
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Green Book – Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga
A working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South. – IMDb
The Favourite – Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend, Lady Sarah, governs the country in her stead. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. – IMDb
Roma – Alfonso Cuarón
A year in the life of a middle-class family’s maid in Mexico City in the early 1970s. – IMDb
Vice – Adam McKay
The story of Dick Cheney, an unassuming bureaucratic Washington insider, who quietly wielded immense power as Vice President to George W. Bush, reshaping the country and the globe in ways that we still feel today. – IMDb
First Reformed – Paul Schrader
A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past. – IMDb
If you only have time to read two before the awards, try BlacKkKlansman and The Favourite, both are tipped to be winners in their respective categories.
VISIT OUR Screenplay Archive
- Why This Story? - 14 Jun 2021
- SAFTA 15 Nominated and Winning Screenwriters - 21 May 2021
- Select your 93rd Academy Award Winners - 7 Apr 2021
