The 96th Academy Awards are dominated by “Oppenheimer” with 13 nominations, “Poor Things” with 11 and “Killers of the Flower Moon” with 10. Greta Gerwig’s summer hit “Barbie” has eight nominations compared to its competitors, but fans are not satisfied with its specific categories.
Its nominations are as follows: Ryan Gosling for actor in a supporting role, America Ferrera for actress in a supporting role, Jacqueline Durran for costume design, “I’m Just Ken” and “What Was I Made For?” for music (original song), best picture, Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer for production design, and finally Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach for adapted screenplay writing.
Just because Robbie and Gerwig were not nominated in those categories does not mean that they did not do a good job on the film, evident from the best picture nomination.
Even with its diverse range of categories, people are upset about Margot Robbie not being nominated for actress in a leading role and Gerwig not being nominated for directing. Since the basis of the movie is being a woman in a patriarchal society, fans are recognizing the irony of the so-called “snubs.”
However, “Barbie” was also about uplifting and supporting women, and people are blatantly disregarding that. Lily Gladstone is the first Native American woman to be nominated for an Oscar for actress in a leading role, yet that news is being completely ignored and going uncelebrated.
Emma Stone received a nomination for “Poor Things,” Annette Bening for “Nyad,” Sandra Hüller for “Anatomy of a Fall” and Carey Mulligan for “Maestro.” I have not seen a single piece of media regarding the work of these women due to this overreaction.
Of course, I think Robbie was excellent in the role, but just because she did not receive a nomination for leading actress does not mean there must be such a large outcry, and same for Gerwig. The movie was the top grossing film of 2023, yes, but was Gerwig’s directorial work anything phenomenal?
Don’t get me wrong, I will take any opportunity to support women, which is where I find a problem in this uproar. Why are we not focusing on or commemorating the women who are literally making history here?
Gerwig is at least nominated for adapted screenplay writing, which I believe is quite fair when her directing is arguably ordinary compared to Christopher Nolan’s breathtaking job on “Oppenheimer” or Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall.”
Just because Robbie and Gerwig were not nominated in those categories does not mean that they did not do a good job on the film, evident from the best picture nomination. But just like the other nominees are being overlooked, their success in other categories is being neglected as well.
People are allowed to be disappointed that their favorite movie of the year did not receive as many nominations as they thought it would, but it is disheartening to know that it is making other nominees seem insignificant.
ajones11@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of UKinUSA, Wikimedia
