4. Only God Forgives
Possible categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Nicholas Winding Refn), Best Actor (Ryan Gosling), Best Original Screenplay (Nicholas Winding Refn), Best Sound Editing, Best Film Editing
Likely categories: Best Supporting Actress (Kristen Scott Thomas), Best Cinematography The second collaboration between Ryan Gosling and Danish director Nicholas Winding Refn, Only God Forgives promises to deliver more of the Euro, uber-violent style that made such an impression with their last effort, Drive. This time though the action is being transplanted from the sleek surroundings of Southern California to the exotic underground of Bangkok. The film's story, which is an original creation from the mind of Refn (unlike Drive, which was based on a book), tells the story of a gangster named Julian (Gosling), who uses a boxing gym as his front for his illicit activities. Upon the news of his brother's gruesome demise, Julian's gangster mother (Kristin Scott Thomas) orders Julian to wreck hell upon all those involved, showing absolutely no mercy on their enemies (thus the film's title I presume). Like Drive, Only God Forgives will be debuting at the festival, but unlike Drive, Only God Forgives will be entering the festival with lofty expectations and bated breath. Drive was one of the biggest hits of Cannes 2011, winning Refn the festival's Best Director award, and the film was quite the darling of the critics community and online cineastes, who included it in numerous top ten lists at the year's end and complained vociferously against any aficionados who had the gall not to include it in their year's end "best". By the time the Academy got around to giving out their kudos though, Drive managed only a measly sound nomination (even leaving poor Albert Brooks out in the cold for his fantastic performance in the film), despite all the critical plaudits and passionate fan support. For Only God Forgives to be a serious Best Picture Oscar contender, it's going to need a hell of a reception, and possibly may need to even win the Palme d'Or (which doesn't strike me as likely with Steven Spielberg leading the jury). If it does not accomplish this feat, it may still have a chance in other categories. Below-the-line features, such as sound, editing, and cinematography could be distinct possibilities, while if the Directors Branch is feeling particularly edgy, I could even see Refn sneaking in for a nomination. Gosling of course may be a possibility (if there were any justice he would already be a shoe-in for his mesmerizing performance in The Place Beyond the Pines), but the film's single best shot at a nomination will probably be Kristen Scott Thomas for Best Supporting Actress, a category that is usually searching for viable candidates anyway. Chic, neon-lit brooding, than an explosion of graphic brutality beyond your imagination is not exactly the Academy's cup of tea, so if this is going to get it some serious traction at the Oscars, everyone will have to on board the train. Cannes debut: Wednesday, May 22