Now That's Oscar Worthy

In a sea of Oscar nomination malaise, finally there's a performance that floats.  Indeed, Glenn Close's Best Actress nomination as "The Wife" is the only award nod that the movie got.   In my book, compared to the garbage out there, it should have scored 10 or 12 of them.  But, alas, only one.  Perhaps there weren't enough Hispanics or Blacks in the cast.   Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn't understand that white is also a color.

But I digress...

"The Wife" is the kind of dramatic scene chewer that Warner Brothers used to make by the boatload back in the 40s, usually as vehicles for Bette Davis and Paul Henreid.  Great story.  Dynamic acting.  A fascinating setting.  This one has it all and winds up as a tightly edited and mesmerizing yarn.

"The Wife" takes you to a place you probably have not been before at the movies.  The Nobel Prize award ceremony.  First, we meet famed novelist Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pryce) as he gets the call that he will be given the Literature award.   He and his wife Joan (Close) dance on the bed in sheer euphoria.   They are happy.

Or are they?

Following them on their trip to Stockholm with their son David (played by Jeremy Irons' son Max), flashbacks back to when they first met as a college professor and a student reveal that there are microcosmic levels that will be explored.  Christian Slater shows up as a would-be biographer of Castleman and he already knows where some of the bodies are buried.   But the fun is in watching how the onion gets peeled back slowly and assuredly.  

Frankly, when the big secret is revealed, I was surprised even though I had guessed it two reels prior.   But it still all felt organic because of the masterful scenes between Pryce and Close.  The last twenty minutes are as riveting as anything I have seen on the screen in years.   Major kudos to director Bjorn Runge and screenwriter Jane Anderson.

Again, if I had an Oscar ballot, this one would have gotten a bunch more nominations than just the single and deserved nod to Miss Close.   Clearly, they don't make them like this anymore.  A movie that dares to entertain and not necessarily feel compelled to provide us with a teachable moment.

More, please.  Sadly, I doubt Hollywood is listening.

LEN'S RATING:  Four stars.

Dinner last night:  Hibachi steak at the Cheesecake Factory in Newport Beach.