It’s not nominated in any acting, writing or directing categories. But here are 7 reasons why “Ford v. Ferrari” could still win the Best Picture Oscar:
It’s Nominated for Film Editing
“Ford” joins four fellow Best Picture nominees “The Irishman”, “Jojo Rabbit”, “Joker” and “Parasite” in the Film Editing category. 10 of the past 11 Film Editing winners were nominated for Best Picture (the only exception – “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”). Interestingly, the last time the Film Editing winner won Best Picture was 2012’s “Argo”. The streak has to end at some point, right?
It’s Been in the Race The Entire Season
“FVF” has been it to win it – but not many people noticed. It won Best Picture at the Satellite Awards and was nominated for the Critics Choice and Producers Guild of America Awards. Christian Bale was also recognized with Golden Globe and SAG Awards Best Actor nominations.
A Dying Fox?
Disney taking over Fox has had a lot of people in the industry shaking their heads. The latest decision: eliminating the Fox word entirely from 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight for future releases. “Ford v. Ferrari” is one of the final 20th Century Fox branded movies EVER. Will a vote reward the last breath of creativity from a studio that has now been absorbed into the Mouse House?
It’s a Hit?
Since it release on Nov. 15, “FVF” has earned more than $113 million at the domestic box office. The last film to win Best Picture and make more than $100M in the U.S. was “Argo”. Is it time for The Academy to give it to a “big” movie again?
The Fact That It ISN’T in Acting, Writing or Directing Categories
“Ford v. Ferrari” is such a high-profile movie. The fact that it got in the Best Picture category to begin with meant that it received at least 5% of the votes. Members like the movie as a whole. You have to go all the way back to “Grand Hotel” (1932) to find a Best Picture winner that wasn’t nominated in an acting, writing or directing category. And the only other one: “Wings” (1927), the first Best Picture Oscar winner. So, there’s a chance we could be making some history.
The Ranking System?
Beginning with the year of the “La La Land”/“Moonlight” debacle, The Academy changed the voting procedure of Best Picture from simply picking one film to ranking all of the nominees. In this case, all eligible voters will rank the 9 nominees from 1 to 9 (1 being the best). You don’t need to necessarily get the majority of the first place votes to win Best Picture. A lot of 2nd place votes may overtake the frontrunner (“Green Book” over “Roma”, “The Shape of Water” over “Three Billboards” and, yes, “Moonlight” over “La La Land”). Where will voters rank “Ford v. Ferrari” on the scale? If they like the movie and don’t care that it’s only in 3 technical categories, they may still rank it high.
It’s *THAT* Kind of a Film?
Though it doesn’t come from Universal (that’s “1917”), “Ford v. Ferrari” is the kind of film that has Universal appeal. It’s an old-fashioned, clean, PG-13, positive, inspiring, uplifting, exciting movie about an underdog looking to make America proud. I honestly think in the next 10 years it could be deemed a “classic” piece of filmmaking. “FVF” has the star-power of Bale and Matt Damon, the tenacity of car racing and the emotion of being a character, family and true story.
The Oscar voting period is Jan. 30 – Feb. 4. If “Ford v. Ferrari” ends-up winning Best Picture, it will be one of the biggest surprises of all-time. But I’m ready for it… and you should be, too.