A couple recreate history in exacting detail; one or two abandon reality with glee.
Some of them are meticulously crafted, others were semi-improvised.
With this in mind, this list tries to rank all this year’s Oscar-nominated screenplays.
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It’s a tricky task, as it’s tough to compare such wildly divergent stories.
The screenplay’s mix of languages and genres is ambitious, butthe execution falls somewhat flat.
Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope amidst a backdrop of systemic racism and violence.
Image via Netflix
As a result, the dialogue is naturalistic, with much of it being improvised.
He draws heavily on his own experience in a prison theater program, which offered him a second chance.
This makesSing Singone of the year’s most intriguing and experimental screenplays, not to mention the most authentic.
Emilia Pérez follows Rita, an underestimated lawyer working at a prominent law firm focused on freeing criminals rather than pursuing justice. She is recruited by the leader of a criminal organization, prompting a complex journey that challenges her principles as she navigates the morally ambiguous world of her new employer.
The dialogue is rich in philosophical musings and reveals a lot about the characters.
The writing is direct and unembellished.
Also impressive is the recreation of 1960s slang and specifically the vocabulary of the folk music scene.
The screenplay expertly balances historical accuracy with human drama.
The insight into the culture and operations of a 1970s newsroom is also fascinating.
These reporters are cutthroat, competing hard to get the scoop.
The finished product is a lean and efficient thriller that does so much with its 94-minute runtime.
Ani suddenly finds herself in a world of excess, danger, and control she never anticipated.
The script also does a good job with the Russian quicks and idioms, coming across as effortlessly authentic.
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Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,The Thing,Showgirls, andThe Picture of Dorian Gray.
Everything is steeped in metaphor, without being heavy-handed.
A fading celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth.
Set in Jim Crow-era Florida, two Black teens, Elwood Curtis and Turner, endure the brutal conditions of Nickel Academy, a reformatory for boys. While Turner teaches survival through cynicism, Elwood clings to his belief in justice, despite the horrors around them. Their friendship offers a glimmer of hope amidst a backdrop of systemic racism and violence.
The story is personal and introspective.
It makes history personal.
He deserves Oscar gold for his efforts.
NEXT:The 10 Most Boring Blockbusters of the 21st Century, Ranked
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Sing Sing follows Divine G, who, while imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, discovers purpose and resilience by participating in a theater group. Through this engagement, Divine and his fellow incarcerated men experience the profound transformative power of art and its impact on their humanity.
Image via A24
The Brutalist follows visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet as they flee Europe, aiming to rebuild their legacy in modern America. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious and wealthy client alters the course of their lives, intertwining ambition with the challenges of a new world.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
A Complete Unknown: Set in the vibrant New York music scene of the early 1960s, the film follows the journey of 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan. It captures his rapid ascent from a budding folk singer to a prominent figure in concert halls and on the charts, highlighting his impact on the music world.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Image via NEON
Anora follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn who impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch, igniting a potential fairy tale. Upon learning of the union, his influential parents travel to New York to annul the marriage, jeopardizing her unexpected chance at a new beginning.
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A fading celebrity, Elisabeth Sparkle, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth. The drug temporarily creates a younger version of herself, named Sue, who quickly ascends to the fame Elisabeth once craved.
Image via Searchlight Pictures
Two cousins travel to Poland after their grandmother’s death to see where they came from and end up joining a Holocaust tour.
Image via Focus Features
Following the unexpected death of the pope, Cardinal Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with overseeing the secretive conclave to elect the next pope. As the process unfolds, he uncovers a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church.
