UNITED STATES
Variety
Kristopher Tapley
Co-Awards Editor
@kristapley
Since launching in 2011 through a partnership between theater chains AMC Theatres and Regal Entertainment Group, distributor Open Road Films has amassed a sui generis blend of often genre-leaning product that stands apart from the competition. Movies like Joe Carnahan’s “The Grey” (longtime readers will recall my affinity for that, the best film of 2012) and Steven Soderbergh’s “Side Effects” were favorably received by critics, while others like Jon Favreau’s “Chef” were hits as well. But none truly flirted with the awards season until last year’s “Nightcrawler.”
Nevertheless, Dan Gilroy’s broadcast news thriller came up short, too. It picked up surprise notices from the producers and screen actors guilds and was, for obvious reasons, adored by press and critics groups. But only the writers branch of the Academy spoke up for it come Oscar time. It was a scathing film, one that packed a heavy and cynical punch — perhaps too cynical. Maybe voters had trouble embracing that. Maybe they struggled between Jake Gyllenhaal’s uncanny performance and another creepy depiction in the field, Steve Carell’s in “Foxcatcher.” Or maybe the high simply wore off as films like “American Sniper” came along to rally support toward the end.
Whatever the case, it’s interesting to note that the company will be back this season with yet another pulse-quickening tale of journalists on the beat, albeit one that colors the profession in a much more noble light. And that could make all the difference. Indeed, Tom McCarthy’s “Spotlight” has a real shot at becoming Open Road’s first best picture nominee to date.
After testing through the roof this summer, the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival Thursday and is expected to screen in Telluride this weekend before moving on to Toronto. A focused, dialed-down account of shoe-leather reporting at its finest, it’s one of the great newsroom dramas. And it will be sweet vindication for McCarthy, whose last film — Adam Sandler starrer “The Cobbler” — was mauled by critics.
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