The Online Film Critics Society has chosen The Tree of Life as the Best Picture of 2011. OFCS also awarded the film Best Director (Terrence Malick), Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Editing, and Best Cinematography. At this point, it’s looking like The Tree of Life has enough steam to pick up an Oscar nomination for Best Picture since the Academy has the option of nominating up to ten films for the top prize.
OFCS did agree with my choices for Best Actor (Michael Fassbender for Shame) and Best Actress (Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk about Kevin). In addition to being a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, I’m also a member of OFCS. I only voted Tree of Life for Best Cinematography, but I don’t mind it winning other awards because I understand why other critics have dug the flick. Hit the jump for the full list of winners.
Best Picture:
The Tree of Life
Best Animated Feature:
Rango
Best Director:
Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life
Best Lead Actor:
Michael Fassbender – Shame
Best Lead Actress:
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
Best Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer – Beginners
Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain – The Tree of Life
Best Original Screenplay:
Midnight in Paris
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy
Best Editing:
The Tree of Life
Best Cinematography:
The Tree of Life
Best Film Not in the English Language:
A Separation
Best Documentary:
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Special Awards (previously announced):
To Jessica Chastain, the breakout performer of the year
To Martin Scorsese in honor of his work and dedication to the pursuit of film preservation
Founded in 1997, the Online Film Critics Society has been the key force in establishing and raising the standards for Internet-based film journalism. The OFCS membership consists of film reviewers, journalists and scholars based in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Asia/Pacific Rim region. For more information, visit the Online Film Critics Society at ofcs.org
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I thought THE TREE OF LIFE was pretty boring. Most people that like this movie like the ambition more than the acutal movie, I feel.
Still perplexed as to how Drive isn’t up there in any capacity (especially cinematography). Also, Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene was quite a little miracle of a film. Great performances, cinematography, haunting music. Very purposeful. The editing was too ‘in your face’ though. The parallels too direct. A little ambiguity goes a long way.
Pliskin, out.
Yeah I can understand why some folk would find TREE OF LIFE boring. It’s not typical Hollywood fare or Indie for that matter. And if many get past that…the characters are not the most likeable to keep your emotions an invested interest. But having said all that, it is a beautifully shot film of sound and vision. It’s a meandering dream-on-the-move look back and ode to life, love, memories, shortcomings and self-esteem. I think a couple of Oscar awards could only be good for an industry increasingly taking fewer chances on thought-provoking and unusual films.