Book Riot - The Podcast: "Who Will The Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay?"
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O'Neill & Rebecca Schinsky
Introduction
In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the tumultuous Oscar season, focusing specifically on the Best Adapted Screenplay category. They analyze the finalists, share their predictions, and discuss the underlying factors influencing the Academy's decisions.
Nominees Overview
The hosts begin by listing the five nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay:
- Emilia Perez
- Screenplay by: Jacques Odillard
- Based on: Ecout by Boris Razone
- Sing Sing
- Screenplay by: Greg Qu and Clint Bentley
- Based on: Sing Sing Follies by John H. Richardson
- A Complete Unknown
- Screenplay by: James Mangold and Jay Cox
- Based on: Dylan Goes Electric by Elijah Wald
- Conclave
- Screenplay by: Peter Straughn
- Based on: Novel by Robert Harris
- Nickel Boys
- Screenplay by: Rommel Ross and Jocelyn Barnes
- Based on: Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Timestamp: [07:52]
Deep Dive into Each Nominee
1. Emilia Perez
-
Jeff's Take: Gave it a 0% chance of winning, citing significant controversies surrounding representation and problematic tweets by the lead actress, Carla Sofia Gascon. He emphasizes that such issues are likely to derail its Oscar prospects.
-
Rebecca's Take: Assigned a 2% chance, aligning with Jeff's skepticism. She highlights the film's July controversies related to LGBTQ and Mexican representation, which have tarnished its reputation within the movie community.
Notable Quote:
Rebecca Schinsky: "It is a musical, chaotic at best. I thought it was pretty messy when I saw it."
Timestamp: [09:16]
2. A Complete Unknown
-
Jeff's Take: Views it as his top contender with a 34% chance. He believes the subject matter—centered around Bob Dylan's pivotal moment in the folk music scene—has broad appeal, especially given Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature.
-
Rebecca's Take: Gave it an 8% chance, viewing it as a strong but not definitive contender. She appreciates the film's focus on the power of music and its historical context but feels the screenplay doesn't fully capture the depth of the original material.
Notable Quote:
Jeff O'Neill: "If we wake up and Emilia Perez is one of Best Adapted Screenplay, I should just throw in the towel of guessing anything ever when it comes to cultural events."
Timestamp: [13:18]
3. Sing Sing
-
Jeff's Take: Allocated a 10% chance, considering it a potential indie darling but noting limited awareness and uneven release strategies that might hinder its chances.
-
Rebecca's Take: Assigned a 19% chance. She acknowledges strong performances, particularly by Colman Domingo, but expresses concerns over the film's political impact and overall resonance with Academy voters.
Notable Quote:
Jeff O'Neill: "Conclave is my second choice. I put it 1 percentage point behind Complete Unknown."
Timestamp: [17:29]
4. Conclave
-
Jeff's Take: Placed it as his second choice with a 33% chance. He appreciates the star-studded cast, including Tom Hiddleston and Ralph Fiennes, and believes the screenplay's focus on political and palace intrigue offers depth.
-
Rebecca's Take: Gave it a 20% chance, recognizing the strong performances but critiquing the screenplay for lacking the highbrow literary quality of recent winners. She remains optimistic due to Rommel Ross's recent Writers Guild accolades.
Notable Quote:
Rebecca Schinsky: "I did some half-assed Internet research, as they would say at the ringer. Rommel Ross just won the Writer's Guild award for best adapted screenplay for this."
Timestamp: [23:05]
5. Nickel Boys
-
Jeff's Take: Rated it at 22%, viewing it as a solid middle contender. He appreciates the film's cinematography and storytelling but is uncertain about its screenplay's impact compared to more prominent nominees.
-
Rebecca's Take: Scores it a 51% chance, making it her top pick. She cites Rommel Ross's momentum from recent awards and the film's poignant portrayal of black men's experiences in prison as strong factors favoring its screenplay.
Notable Quote:
Rebecca Schinsky: "Nickel Boys is mine at 51%. I think this is over half. I hope it's not wish casting..."
Timestamp: [24:30]
Factors Influencing Predictions
- Representation Issues: Emilia Perez's controversies significantly lower its chances.
- Star Power & Recognition: Films like A Complete Unknown benefit from high-profile actors and accolades (e.g., Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize).
- Screenplay Quality: The literary depth and adaptation fidelity play crucial roles, with recent winners favoring more highbrow narratives.
- Release Strategies & Visibility: Films with limited releases or overshadowed by controversies may struggle despite strong screenplays.
- Guild Awards Momentum: Recent wins in Writers Guild awards can boost a screenplay's Oscar prospects.
Conclusion
Jeff and Rebecca conclude that Nickel Boys holds the most promise in this category, primarily due to Rommel Ross's recent achievements and the film's compelling narrative. They remain cautious about overestimating certain contenders but acknowledge the unpredictability of this chaotic Oscar season.
Notable Quote:
Jeff O'Neill: "It looks unbelievable. Like so cool to look at like the whole thing."
Timestamp: [32:10]
Looking Ahead
The hosts briefly touch upon upcoming adaptations and potential future episodes, hinting at discussions around TV adaptations and the evolving landscape of screenplay awards.
Highlighted Quotes:
-
"It is a musical, chaotic at best. I thought it was pretty messy when I saw it."
— Rebecca Schinsky
[09:16] -
"If we wake up and Emilia Perez is one of Best Adapted Screenplay, I should just throw in the towel of guessing anything ever when it comes to cultural events."
— Jeff O'Neill
[13:18] -
"Nickel Boys is mine at 51%. I think this is over half. I hope it's not wish casting..."
— Rebecca Schinsky
[24:30]
This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the Best Adapted Screenplay contenders, blending personal opinions with industry insights to forecast the likely Oscar outcomes amidst a notably unpredictable year.