My Case Of posts in the Best Director category reaches its fifth and final hopeful with Chloe Zhao for Nomadland. If you missed the previous four, you can find them here:
https://toddmthatcher.com/2021/03/26/oscars-2020-the-case-of-lee-isaac-chung/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2021/04/02/oscars-2020-the-case-of-emerald-fennell/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2021/04/08/oscars-2020-the-case-of-david-fincher/
https://toddmthatcher.com/2021/04/11/oscars-2020-the-case-of-thomas-vinterberg/
The Case for Chloe Zhao
Nomadland is absolutely the frontrunner to win Best Picture and oftentimes it matches with director (though not quite as much in recent years). Even if something upsets Nomadland in the big race, Zhao has made it a clean sweep at the precursors and that includes BAFTA, DGA, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and many other regional critics group awards. Zhao (who will next take on the MCU’s Eternals) will also make some history by becoming the second female to take the gold after Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) in 2009.
The Case Against Chloe Zhao
To be blunt – there really isn’t one. I suppose only if the Academy doesn’t embrace Nomadland like other awards bodies have and that appears unlikely.
The Verdict
Some of the major categories have some suspense around them. This one doesn’t. Zhao appears primed for victory.
My Case Of posts will continue with Carey Mulligan in Promising Young Woman…
