Wednesday, July 05, 2006

FYC: Gretchen Mol as "Bettie Page"

Next week @ The Film Experience I'll be counting down the 5 most likely Oscar Nominees from the releases we've seen from January to Jun. At week's end I'll do a revamp of my "year in advance Oscar predictions" to mark the halfway point. But as a preview let's talk about a performance that didn't make that list.

For Your Consideration:
Gretchen Mol as The Notorious Bettie Page
I think that Gretchen's people and the folks at Picturehouse ought to plop some money down on this as an early campaign. Some of you may be chuckling 'He's really lost it now!' so perhaps I should explain. You'd be smart to dispel any foolish notions that a film released in April that grossed under $2 million and that didn't win rave reviews has too many strikes against it for Oscar consideration. That just doesn't happen. At least not for a star without a built in Academy fanbase.

Silly to imagine, right?

So why do I think they should waste their promotional dollars? Longterm investment in her career. Short term investment in the film's DVD rental/sales life. You need buzz to get traction in the year-end awards races and with the right campaign Gretchen Mol could harness the power of her "career changing performance" into at least some Golden Satellite / Independent Spirit style action. And think of how fun a campaign could be for the right brilliant strategist....

Read the Rest...

Return and discuss in the comments.

tags: Oscars, Academy Awards, Bettie Page, Gretchen Mol, Awards, film, cinema

7 comments:

StinkyLulu said...

The kicker is that voters will likely to pop their screeners of this title right on in. The pervs.

I think it's entirely plausible... I didn't love the movie & found the performance to be good (enough to get her career back, at least). But as the final wild card slot in any roster goes, I think she's got as good a chance as the Akeelah tot.

adam k. said...

"the Akeelah tot"... hee.

Well, I think they should try to get her an Indy Spirit nom, at least. That seems very possible. As oscar goes, though... this years just looks too rough. Blanchett, Streep, Moore, Kidman, Bening, Dench, and Winslet ALL have things coming that will attract attention. That's really tough competition. And that's just the first tier. That's not including Anna Paquin in Margaret, Beyoncé Knowles in Dreamgirls, Ashley Judd in Bug, etc. This looks to be a big, big year. Akeelah and Betty don't stand a chance.

Why couldn't some of these have been released last year? Sheesh.

Glenn Dunks said...

But that's the thing, there are so many big names that Academy members may decide to pop this little movie featuring lots of nudie shots and see that "Hey, this girl is actually alright. I'll give her a vote for shits and giggles"

Considering some of the people who have gotten nods in the last few years, a tiny box-office is NOTHING when it comes to this category.

Anonymous said...

I thought she was great. I really think she should get some recognition.

Read my review!

Anonymous said...

Well,Think in Catalina sandino...

Kris said...

Check you email, Natty.

RC said...

yea, i don't think this has a chance, but i agree marketing it as if it did has it's benefits.

--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com