As I mentioned yesterday, we’ll be talking about Awards for the next three months. Right about now having your name show up on a ballot almost trumps box office numbers (I said almost). Since Mo’Nique has already been named Best Supporting Actress by I think three (and counting) Critic’s Association none of us is surprised that she’s up in the mix for the Golden Globes. Still a ‘go girl’ has to be inserted right there. And I have a big Kool-Aid smile on because I’m overjoyed that Gabourey Sidibe’s work as Claireece “Precious” Jones has also been recognized. But while the movie itself was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Drama, it’s director Lee Daniels was summarily shut out in the directing category.
Now I can’t say I didn’t see this one coming. In Hollywood circles there has been talk of a “Precious” backlash brewing for sometime. Not so much against the movie but against its director. Many insiders were put off by Daniels’ interview with The New York Times Magazine back in October. They thought he was full of himself (especially when he called said he was actually the co-director of “Monster’s Ball which may have been a surprise to the actual director, Marc Forster). All this is talk and idle speculation because truthfully we won’t see whether this backlash is real until the Academy Award and Screen Actor’s Guild nominations come out because those reflect industry attitudes.
But “Precious” was not the only representation of black people that was recognized. Disney’s new “Princess And The Frog” starring Anika Noni Rose, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey and Terence Howard got a nod for Best Animated Picture. I know some of you are bent out of shape because the Prince isn’t a brother and she spends more time than necessary as a frog (I’m going to reserve judgement until I actually see the movie). But as far as the nomination goes, it’s icing on the cake after the film’s top ranking at the box office this weekend—it took in $25 million.
Rounding out the nomination of black folks are two brothers. On the big screen, Morgan Freeman’s turn as Nelson Mandela in “Invictus” got a nod in the Best Actor in a Drama category. While I still don’t know what to make of Freeman personally after the car accident (and the rumors of the affair with the step-granddaughter …) there’s no doubt that he continues to bring his A Game to the screen. I can’t wait to see this movie (oh and Matt Damon too). In terms of the small screen, we were practically nonexistent when it came to nominations. Not one sister in an acting category. And the lone brother, Chiwetel Ejiofor, got his nomination for his portrayal of ANC president Thabo Mbeki in “Endgame”. And here’s the sad part— most of probably didn’t see his performance (I know I didn’t).
Finally, while I am happy that all this great work is being recognized the dearth of people of color nominated also points to the void when it comes to great roles. Black actors and actresses are simply not being offered enough quality parts on either the big or small screen to get them in the game. And Hollywood you need to know that’s still not okay.
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