The National Board of Review (NBR) has once again stirred the film industry with its 2024 awards. This year, the NBR named “Wicked” as the Best Picture, a decision that has sparked both excitement and controversy.
“Wicked,” directed by John M. Chu, has been a box office hit and has now gained significant Oscar momentum. The film's win as Best Picture by the NBR has been met with mixed reactions. While some celebrate the recognition of a popular film, others criticize the decision, arguing that it undermines the credibility of the NBR and overlooks more deserving films.
The NBR's decision also highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between commercial success and artistic merit in award selections. Despite the controversy, the NBR's recognition of “Wicked” cannot be ignored, especially considering the film's impressive cast and production quality.
The NBR's choice of “Wicked” as Best Picture has certainly made waves in the film community. Whether it will translate to Oscar success remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly put “Wicked” in the spotlight.
In acting categories, Daniel Craig won Best Actor for his performance in Luca Guadagnino's Queer, while Nicole Kidman was named Best Actress for Babygirl. Their wins were widely praised, as both delivered standout performances in challenging roles. Kieran Culkin's supporting turn in A Real Pain and Elle Fanning's surprising win for A Complete Unknown rounded out the acting accolades.
NBR's Top 10 Films of the Year
The NBR's annual list of top films features a mix of blockbusters and indie darlings. The full list includes:
- Wicked
- Anora
- Babygirl
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
- Gladiator II
- Juror No. 2
- Queer
- A Real Pain
While these films represent a diverse range of genres and storytelling styles, notable snubs include Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, Jacques Audiard's Emilia Perez, and Brady Corbet's The Brutalist. These omissions have fueled debates about the NBR's selection criteria and priorities.
Criticism and Controversy
The choice of Wicked as Best Picture has sparked significant backlash. Critics argue that the decision undermines the NBR's credibility by prioritizing commercial success over artistic merit. As one observer noted, “This win is a total joke. It's hard to believe that Wicked would have won without its box-office dominance.” Others have questioned whether the NBR's selections reflect a “narrow and ultra-populist” mindset.
However, not all reactions have been negative. Many fans and industry professionals view the recognition as a celebration of Wicked's ability to captivate audiences and redefine the modern movie musical.
My Impressions: The decision to name “Wicked” Best Picture by the NBR is indeed surprising. While the film has been a commercial success and features a talented cast, it's hard to ignore the feeling that more critically acclaimed films were overlooked. The NBR's choice raises questions about the criteria used for selecting winners and whether commercial appeal outweighs artistic achievement. It will be interesting to see how this decision influences the upcoming awards season and whether it will lead to a broader discussion about the value of different types of films in the industry.
Do you think “Wicked” deserves the Best Picture award, or were there better films overlooked this year?
