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The BAFTA Awards often have their own unique criteria, and this was evident during the recent ceremony. “Anora,” widely viewed as a Best Picture frontrunner, succeeded in securing just two awards on the night. However, the win for Mikey Madison as Best Actress was particularly noteworthy. In contrast, “The Brutalist,” despite failing to capture major guild awards earlier, excelled at the BAFTAs with four wins, including Best Actor for Adrien Brody and Best Director for Brady Corbet. Nevertheless, it was “Conclave” that took home the Best Film award and added three others to its tally, solidifying its status in the Oscars race as voting continues until Tuesday.
Best Actress Contention Intensifies
In a dramatic turn of events, Mikey Madison’s victory over Demi Moore for Best Actress at the BAFTA Awards indeed came to fruition. This win marked a pivotal moment, as it was the first instance this season where Madison overcame Moore during a televised ceremony. Prior to this, Moore had secured victories at non-industry-focused events like the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. Currently, Moore is still viewed as a frontrunner for the Oscars, bolstered by her extensive experience in Hollywood, while Madison’s rise as a newcomer may pose questions about her traction in the race. Historically, the BAFTA Awards have a proven track record of indicating when a perceived favorite lacks solid backing, hinting that Madison’s win could be seen as a fleeting moment. Similar to Austin Butler’s acclaim for “Elvis,” Madison may very well find herself in a position reminiscent of Frances McDormand, who captured the Best Actress accolade while starring in the Best Picture-winning “Nomadland.”
Best Original Screenplay: A Competitive Field
“The Substance,” considered an unexpected contender for the Oscars, secured only one BAFTA Award in the hair and makeup category, raising questions regarding its nominations. Sean Baker was initially favored for “Anora” in the Best Original Screenplay category, with Coralie Fargeat in a strong second place. However, in a surprising upset at the BAFTAs, Jesse Eisenberg took home the award for “A Real Pain.” This outcome was unexpected as “A Real Pain” was not a Best Picture nominee and garnered only one other nomination for Kieran Culkin as Best Supporting Actor. This defeat for “The Substance” may actually favor Baker’s chances at the Oscars, while Eisenberg could emerge as a dark horse, with Fargeat potentially playing spoiler.
Stability in Supporting and Best Actor Categories
While the Best Actress category remains fiercely competitive, the other acting categories have shown signs of stabilization. Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña won their respective supporting role categories, establishing themselves as frontrunners heading into the Oscars. A surprise upset would now be unlikely if either of them were to falter at the SAG Awards next week. In the Best Actor category, Adrien Brody’s impressive BAFTA win for “The Brutalist” has reshuffled expectations. Although some had predicted a win for Timothée Chalamet for “A Complete Unknown,” Brody’s recognition places him in a strong position, though it does not guarantee a SAG win given the mixed reception for “The Brutalist” compared to “A Complete Unknown.”
“Conclave” Emerges as a Strong Contender
Source
www.goldderby.com