Oscar preview - Best Picture

Can any film take on hot favourite 'Brokeback Mountain' for the coveted award?

Mar  3 2006

Today is the final day of our Oscar round-up, and it's the big one – best picture.

It's refreshing to see four fantastic films (plus 'Crash') nominated this year. Indeed in any other year, any one of 'Capote', 'Good Night, and Good Luck', 'Munich' and 'Brokeback Mountain' could have won.

'Capote' for its portrayal of the terrible toll that writing 'In Cold Blood' took on Truman Capote, anchored by a phenomenal performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the lead.

'Good Night, and Good Luck' for its devastating account of Ed Murrow's struggle against the McCarthy witch-hunts, brilliantly written and directed by man of the moment George Clooney.

And 'Munich' for its intelligent, thought-provoking and somehow entertaining approach to such a subject as complex and controversial as the aftermath of the massacre at the 1972 Olympics – a testament to Steven Spielberg's masterful storytelling powers.

Yet all three films have little chance against the might of majestic cowboy romance 'Brokeback Mountain'. Working from a perfectly understated script by Larry McMurty and Diana Ossana, director Ang Lee drew two grandstanding performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, and managed to craft a touching, unforgettable love story that will deservedly win the best picture Oscar in the early hours of Monday morning.

Oscar Preview

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