1997 was quite a strong year for movies. Oscar voters, like that year’s audiences, bestowed their love to James Cameron’s Titanic, which became the highest grossing film of all time. It would hold that record for an astonishing 12 years… until Cameron’s follow-up Avatar supplanted it.
Titanic was an obvious choice to win Best Picture. It beat out As Good As It Gets, The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting, and L.A. Confidential. A strong lineup of titles, with the exception of Monty, which doesn’t belong here. Of the five, my personal pick would be Curtis Hanson’s terrific L.A. Confidential.
It’s worth noting that my favorite film of 1997, Paul Thomas Anderson’s brilliant Boogie Nights, didn’t make the cut. Perhaps the subject matter was too risque, but it deserved at least a nomination.
My love for Quentin Tarantino probably would’ve meant a nomination for Jackie Brown as well, a film that I feel is undeservedly underrated.
James Cameron would take Best Director honors over Peter Cattaneo (Full Monty), Hanson (Confidential), Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), and Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter). James L. Brooks was the odd man out whose film (As Good As It Gets) got a Picture nod while he didn’t. Once again, Boogie Nights maker Anderson should be on here. I would’ve given strong consideration to David Fincher for his work in The Game as well.
The Best Actor race saw four veteran heavyweights competing with a newcomer. That newbie was Matt Damon in the title role in Good Will Hunting, up against Robert Duvall (The Apostle), Peter Fonda (Ulee’s Gold), Dustin Hoffman (Wag the Dog), and Jack Nicholson (As Good As It Gets). It was Nicholson who took the prize, winning his second Best Actor trophy. Many Titanic fans noted the exclusion of Leonardo DiCaprio in the category, but I have no problem with that and he would earn nominations in later years for more deserving performances. Keeping my Boogie Nights theme going, I would’ve found room for Mark Wahlberg in his breakout role. Same goes for Aaron Eckhart, who gave a fantastic performance in the indie drama In the Company of Men. I also would’ve considered Samuel L. Jackson for his great work in Jackie Brown. And just as I mentioned Eddie Murphy’s comedic brilliance being ignored in 1996’s The Nutty Professor, how about Mike Myers equally brilliant turn in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery?
Nicholson’s co-star Helen Hunt would win Best Actress for As Good As It Gets.
The other four nominees: Helena Bonham Carter (The Wings of the Dove), Julie Christie (Afterglow), Judi Dench (Mrs. Brown), and Kate Winslet (Titanic). A popular nominee choice would likely have been Julia Roberts for My Best Friend’s Wedding, but I certainly would’ve had Pam Grier’s performance in Jackie Brown in the mix.
Robin Williams would take the Supporting Actor category for his performance as Will’s shrink in Good Will Hunting.
Other nominees: Robert Forster (Jackie Brown, well-deserved), Anthony Hopkins (Amistad), Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets), and Burt Reynolds (Boogie Nights). I love Anthony Hopkins, but his nomination here is questionable. This would’ve been another chance for the Academy to honor comedy with Rupert Everett’s hilarious turn as Julia’s BFF in My Best Friend’s Wedding. However, my personal choice would be for another comedy: Paul Giamatti’s unforgettable turn as Howard Stern’s producer Pig Vomit in Private Parts.
Kim Basinger would win Supporting Actress for her role in L.A. Confidential, beating out Joan Cusack (In&Out), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), Julianne Moore (Boogie Nights), and Gloria Stuart (Titanic). Keeping with the Jackie Brown love, Bridget Fonda should have been nominated for her surfer girl part in that picture. And here’s another name: Charlize Theron’s fine work as Keanu Reeves’ supremely freaked out wife in The Devil’s Advocate.
Of course, the Titanic lovefest extended to Celine Dion for her song “My Heart Will Go On”, even though I don’t remember the Canadian songstress dancing with and rapping about aliens like this guy did in that very same year:
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