It won’t win best picture, but it’s a testament to the film’s appeal that it could upset “Emilia Pérez” in best international film.
Just as Edward Berger’s film juggles various candidates for the papacy, the race for best picture at the Academy Awards has seen one favorite replaced by another, and then another.
But “Emilia Pérez,” a divisive movie to begin with, is now in the business of salvaging its chances in other categories, like best supporting actress, where Zoe Saldaña could win.
Mangold’s movie has momentum, which, even if it doesn’t lead to best picture, may propel Chalamet to best actor over Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist.”.
But unlike years like last year, when “Oppenheimer” was way ahead wire to wire, no lead in this year’s best picture race seems ironclad.
