There are a lot of things I’m upset about regarding the Oscars but the “Best Picture” winner One Battle After Another, surprisingly, is not one of them. As a Black woman, I sat at the edge of my bed waiting, with baited breath, to hear anyone on stage say, “Sinners.” (I screamed at every instance, just so you know.) But when it came to the “Best Picture” announcement, I didn’t think my movie would win. I don’t think it was it’s time, and where is why.
Although I hated the side story with Lockjaw, Perfidia, and Willa and Perfidia’s decision in. the movie, I adored everything else the movie stood for. We are at a time now where there is war, political descension, global warming, a decline in attention spans, and whatever else you can think of and this movie reflects some of these themes in a lot of ways.
First, there is the obvious–revolution. Every generation has their own revolution. My revolution doesn’t look like my mom’s and hers doesn’t look like mine or her mom’s. Paul Thomas Anderson said something in his acceptance speech for “Best Director” (if I recall correctly) that struck me. He said he made this movie for his kids. If you’ve seen the movie, you’re like, “Paul, what?” but then I thought about the end of that film. After all the chaos between Bob and Willa, he still lets her go off with her friends to pursue their own revolution. His daughter was kidnapped, in part, due to the revolution he and her mom took part in. As a parent, you would think that would be enough for Bob to just leave the revolution altogether…and he did, but that didn’t mean Willa had to. Her journey was just beginning, and the goal was to always make the world a better place for her. Plus, revolution was in her blood from her mom’s side of the family, so in all honesty, there was no escaping that part of her.
This film deals with postpartum depression. This film deals with power dynamics. This films deals with illegal immigration. This film deals with importance of remembering the little things, Pat! One Battle After Another gives us a glimpse into self preservation vs sacrificing yourself for something bigger than yourself. There are some things in this movie I just did not get and you can read all about that here.
The one thing that I think will happen (and I don’t know if the Oscars secretly planned this) is that after winning “Best Picture” at the Oscars, and snagging that same accolade at other awards ceremonies, people will go back and watch that movie. They’ll compare it to what’s been happening so far this year and even last year. I feel like all of these awards shows pick films that start conversations or really explore the modern world as we see it today. I think that’s why it’s picked up so many awards, and. that’s the ultimate plan for this film.
What do you think? I know the Black delegation is still upset about Sinners not winning all 16 of their historic nominations, but realistically, do you think PTA’s message in One Battle After Another warranted all of these awards? You love for Sinners and any other movie aside.
