Oscar Nominations: Boys In The Boat's Chances

George Clooney's 2023 historical sports drama 'The Boys in the Boat' is yet to be nominated for an Oscar. However, it has won two awards and received three nominations at other ceremonies. These include a 2023 Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Overlooked Film of the Year, a 2023 Truly Moving Picture Award, and a 2024 Golden Trailer Award nomination. While the film has received positive test screenings, it is not among the predicted nominees for the Oscars.

George Clooney's Oscar history

George Clooney is an American actor and filmmaker. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards.

Clooney has received eight Academy Award nominations, winning two—Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a veteran CIA officer in 'Syriana' (2005) and as co-producer of Best Picture winner 'Argo' (2012). He was previously Oscar-nominated for Best Actor for his performances as an attorney in 'Michael Clayton' (2007), a suave businessman in 'Up in the Air' (2009), and a widow in 'The Descendants' (2011). He was also nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (2005), and Best Adapted Screenplay for 'The Ides of March' (2011).

Clooney is one of only four people ever to have been nominated in six different Academy Award categories (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Lead Actor, and Best Supporting Actor). He has also received several other honours, including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2010, the Stanley Kubrick Award in 2013, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2015, the Honorary César in 2017, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2018, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2022.

Clooney's first Oscar bids came in 2006, when he received three nominations in a single year. He won Best Supporting Actor for 'Syriana', and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay with Grant Heslov and Best Director for 'Good Night, and Good Luck'. In the years that followed, he received several more Oscar nominations for his acting, writing, directing, and producing work.

In addition to his Oscar history, Clooney has also won and been nominated for numerous other awards throughout his career. He has received a total of 98 wins and 206 nominations across various award shows and organisations.

The Boys in the Boat's Oscar chances

The Boys in the Boat: Can it Row to Oscar Glory?

George Clooney's latest directorial venture, "The Boys in the Boat," has sparked conversations about its Oscar prospects. With a talented cast and crew, a compelling true story, and positive test screenings, the film has generated buzz. But will it row its way to Oscar nominations and wins? Let's explore its chances.

The Story and Talent Behind It All

"The Boys in the Boat" is an old-fashioned, deeply moving sports drama based on a true story. It recounts the remarkable journey of the 1930s University of Washington rowing team, a group of underdogs who defied the odds to win gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, beating the Nazis. With a talented cast, including Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, and Hadley Robinson, the film brings to life a story of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph. Clooney, a seasoned actor and director, helms the project, adding to its prestige.

Awards Season Contender?

The film has already garnered some awards attention, winning a Truly Moving Picture Award and a Phoenix Film Critics Society Award. It has also received nominations for its score and trailer. While these are impressive feats, the real question is whether it can secure nominations in the major categories at the Oscars. With positive test screenings and a Christmas release, "The Boys in the Boat" could be a late-breaking contender. However, some critics argue that the film's traditional and nostalgic tone may not resonate with 21st-century audiences and awards bodies.

Oscar Categories to Consider

"The Boys in the Boat" has the potential to be nominated in several Oscar categories. Firstly, Clooney could earn a nomination for Best Director, adding to his impressive list of Oscar nominations. The film's emotional score by Alexandre Desplat could also be a contender for Best Original Score. The adapted screenplay by Mark L. Smith, based on the book by Daniel James Brown, may also be recognized in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. Finally, with a strong ensemble cast, there could be potential for acting nominations, particularly for Callum Turner's portrayal of Joe Rantz.

Final Thoughts

While "The Boys in the Boat" faces stiff competition and may not be a frontrunner in all categories, it has a chance to be a dark horse contender. With Clooney's direction, a powerful true story, and strong performances, it could row its way to a few Oscar nominations and possibly even a win. Only time will tell if it can navigate the challenging awards season waters and secure its place in Oscar history.

The Boys in the Boat's release date

The Boys in the Boat is an upcoming historical sports drama directed by George Clooney, based on the book of the same name by Daniel James Brown. The film is set to be released on Christmas Day 2023.

The film tells the true story of the University of Washington's rowing team in the 1930s, which won gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The story focuses on Joe Rantz, played by Callum Turner, who was abandoned by his family at a young age and joined the university's rowing team as a means to support himself financially.

The cast also includes Joel Edgerton, Hadley Robinson, Thomas Elms, Jack Mulhern, Peter Guinness, Sam Strike, Luke Slattery, James Wolk, and Bruce Herbelin-Earle, among others. The screenplay is written by Mark L. Smith, with music composed by Alexandre Desplat.

The Boys in the Boat has been described as an "old-fashioned" and "well-made" sports movie, with positive test screenings and awards potential. It remains to be seen whether the film will receive any Oscar nominations, but it is certainly generating buzz within the industry and among fans of the genre.

With its inspiring story, talented cast and crew, and positive early reviews, The Boys in the Boat is definitely one to watch out for during the upcoming awards season.

The Boys in the Boat's cast

The Boys in the Boat is a 2023 biographical sports drama directed and produced by George Clooney. The film is based on the 2013 book of the same name by Daniel James Brown and follows the University of Washington rowing team and their journey to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

The cast of The Boys in the Boat includes:

• Joel Edgerton as Al Ulbrickson, the rowing coach at the University of Washington. Edgerton is known for his roles in films such as "The Great Gatsby" and "Loving."
• Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, a rower at the University of Washington and the main protagonist of the film. Turner has previously starred in "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" and "Emma."
• Ian McElhinney as Old Joe, who reflects on his rowing glory days while watching his grandson. McElhinney is known for his roles in "Game of Thrones" and "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
• Peter Guinness as George Pocock, a racing-shell builder and a confidant to Joe. Guinness has appeared in "The Theory of Everything" and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
• Jack Mulhern as Don Hume, an eighth-seat rower who falls sick before the Olympic competition.
• James Wolk as Tom Bolles, the assistant coach of the rowing team at the University of Washington. Wolk is known for his roles in "Zoo" and "Watchmen."
• Hadley Robinson as Joyce Simdars, Joe Rantz's girlfriend and later wife. Robinson has appeared in "Utopia" and "Evil Dead Rise."
• Courtney Henggeler as Hazel Ulbrickson, the wife of coach Al Ulbrickson. Henggeler is known for her roles in "The Big Bang Theory" and "Mom."
• Chris Diamantopoulos as Royal Brougham. Diamantopoulos has appeared in "Silicon Valley" and "The Three Stooges."
• Sam Strike as Roger Morris, a fellow struggling student who introduces Joe to the rowing team. Strike is known for his roles in "Nightflyers" and "Leatherface."
• Alec Newman as Harry Rantz, Joe's father. Newman has appeared in "The Crown" and "The Nevers."
• Luke Slattery as Bobby Moch, the headstrong coxswain of the rowing team.
• Thomas Elms as Chuck Day, a member of the rowing team.
• Thomas Stephen Varey as Johnny White, another member of the rowing team.
• Bruce Herbelin-Earle as Shorty Hunt, a rower on the team.
• Wil Coban as Jim McMillin, one of the rowers.

The Boys in the Boat also features appearances by Jyuddah Jaymes as Jesse Owens, Jacob James Beswick as Harvey Love, Frankie Fox as Glenn Morry, and Daniel Philpott as Adolf Hitler, among others.

The Boys in the Boat's plot

The Boys in the Boat is an American biographical sports drama film directed and produced by George Clooney, based on the 2013 book by Daniel James Brown. The film follows the University of Washington rowing team and their journey to compete in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

The plot centres on Joe Rantz, a poor engineering student at the University of Washington, who, in 1936, is living in an abandoned car and eating canned food. With no job and tuition fees due in two weeks, Joe is struggling to get by. He learns from fellow student Roger Morris that joining the 8+ rowing team comes with jobs and boarding. Despite having no rowing experience, Joe and Roger make the UW junior varsity (JV) team. They are happy to have a dorm room and steady food and are willing to work hard, mopping floors to pay their tuition fees. Joe also starts dating Joyce and confides in racing-shell builder George Pocock that he has been on his own since his father abandoned him at age fourteen.

The JV and varsity 8+ teams train together, working on getting their rowing "swing" in sync with a fast pace. However, Coach Al Ulbrickson worries that his varsity crew isn't ready for the Olympics, and while the JVs are strong, they lack experience. Al brings back Bobby Moch, an experienced but headstrong coxswain, warning him to follow orders or be kicked off the team. At the Pacific Coast Regatta on Lake Washington, the UW and Cal race in front of 100,000 fans. Bobby calls for a fast pace, pulling off a course-record win and surprising Coach Al. The rowers become campus celebrities.

Ahead of the Poughkeepsie Regatta in New York, a qualifier for the Olympics, Coach Al takes a risk by promoting the JVs over his experienced varsity boat. However, Joe's performance suffers after he sees his long-lost father in Seattle, and he is benched. Joe considers quitting, but Pocock encourages him to persevere, reminding him that all he has is the boat. On race day, Bobby is instructed to start slowly and conserve energy, then increase the pace mid-race. Despite a rocky start, Bobby coaxes the crew to increase their strokes per minute, leading UW to a stunning victory over Navy, Cal, and other elite schools.

The US Olympic Committee is short on funds, so the UW team must raise $5,000 (equivalent to $110,000 in 2023) to make it to Berlin. With the support of the community, they succeed in raising the money and sail for Nazi Germany. However, eighth-seat rower Don Hume falls ill. At the opening ceremony, Roger tells athlete Jesse Owens to show his prowess to the folks back home, not just the Germans. The team sets an Olympic record in the qualifier, but it takes a toll on Hume's health. Despite initial concerns about lane assignments, Coach Al realises the advantage of having calm water during the final race and calls for a fast start, with a big kick to finish. Hitler attends the finals, expecting a German gold medal sweep in rowing. Despite a few missteps at the start, Bobby pushes the crew to increase their pace, and they win gold in a photo finish over Italy and Germany.

The film concludes with an elderly Joe, watching his grandson rowing and reminiscing about his own rowing glory days with his eight-man crew.

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