The Contenders: 3:10 to Yuma
I wasn’t planning to write about the remake of a classic western, especially after the All The King’s Men fiasco last year. So what if the 2007 version of 3:10 to Yuma was directed by James Mangold, who has already delivered Oscars for Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon. So what if it stars Russell Crowe, who, short of throwing a phone at a concierge, has had a brilliant history with the Academy. So what if Peter Fonda, the son of a Hollywood icon turned icon himself, has a significant supporting role. The movie is a remake, right?
Yeah, a remake, one with a better director than Delmer Daves and a better star than Glenn Ford. With the buzz that’s been a brewing, 3:10 to Yuma, which opens in theaters Friday, is bound to make some noise. Couple that with the recent success of early season contenders like The Departed, Mystic River, Little Miss Sunshineand The Constant Gardener, and 3:10 to Yuma could have the legs to last the season.
Top 8 Chances
Is the Academy ready to forgive Russell Crowe for phone throwing or for A Good Year? He’s certainly one of the best actors working today even if he isn’t the best star. The focus of the recent buzz, however, has been on the any-year-now Christian Bale, who should have been nominated for American Psycho.
What about Peter Fonda? Can the Easy Rider icon snag his Oscar from a film in the genre that has so inspired him. And how much longer can the Academy ignore James Mangold when he consistently puts out some of the best studio pictures? Right now, my predictions aren’t favorable, but if there’s money and prestige to be had, 3:10 to Yuma could ride into the Best Picture race.
TheFilmChair.com 2007-2008 Oscar Charts
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