Academy Awards 2021: Biggest Snubs and Surprises

The 93rd Academy Award nominations just dropped on March 15th. Diversity played a big role this year, featuring multiple milestones achieved for the awards (even if they were too little too late). Emerald Fennell and Chloe Zhao were both nominated for ‘Best Achievement in Directing,’ marking the first time two women have been nominated simultaneously. Steven Yeun was nominated for ‘Lead Actor in a Motion Picture,’ the first time an Asian American has been nominated in the category. Although these nominations were predicted, there were a lot of snubs and surprises, as per usual. Let’s get into them. 

‘Best Picture’ 

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”—SNUB
“One Night in Miami”—SNUB (read our review here)

Two of the Black-led dramas that have fared well seemingly all year long didn’t earn the Academy’s top nomination this year. While diversity was seen across all categories this year, these were alarming exclusions. While “Judas and the Black Messiah,” a late awards bloomer, made the cut, “Ma Rainey” could’ve easily taken the place of “The Father” or “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”

‘Best Director’ 

Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”—SNUB (read our review here)
Kelly Reichardt, “First Cow”—SNUB
Thomas Vinterberg, “Another Round”—SURPRISE (read our review here)

Aaron Sorkin has been a favorite all year round for “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Although this may be seen as a snub, “Trial” definitely had its shortcomings, opting for more crowd-pleasing filmmaking instead of groundbreaking. Kelly Reichardt consistently misses out here, even though she is one of the most nuanced and creative directors working today. Awards bodies have all overlooked “First Cow” this year, and it is really unfortunate. Rather than “First Cow’s” Reichardt, the Oscars opted for “Another Round’s” Thomas Vinterberg, which is odd considering there was no ‘Best Picture’ nomination.

‘Best Actress’ 

Yeri Han, “Minari”—SNUB (read our review here) 

The matriarch in “Minari,” Han’s heartbreaking and subtle performance was quite possibly the best and most overlooked of the year. 

‘Best Actor’ 

Delroy Lindo, “Da 5 Bloods”—SNUB (read our review here)

We knew it was going to happen, we just didn’t want to believe it. Although “Da 5 Bloods” was divisive, Lindo’s performance was robust and captivating. He deserved better. 

‘Best Supporting Actress’ 

Jodie Foster, “The Mauritanian”—SNUB
Ellen Burstyn, “Pieces of a Woman”—SNUB (read our review)

Jodie Foster, easily the best part of the underwhelming film “The Mauritanian,” was a long shot but given her recent Golden Globe win, it seemed possible. Ellen Burstyn was an early favorite for her scene stealing work in “Pieces of a Woman,” but her flame died quickly. 

‘Best Supporting Actor’ 

Stanley Tucci, “Supernova”—SNUB (read our review here)
LaKeith Stanfield, “Judas and the Black Messiah”—SURPRISE (read our review here)

Stanley Tucci has been overlooked for his touching work in “Supernova” by all the ceremonies this year. No matter how ‘woke’ all the awards bodies say they are, the underwhelming amount of LGBTQ+ films not nominated this year are unforgivable. In a season with “Supernova,” “I Carry You With Me,” and “The Half of It,” there were definitely films worthy of nominations. 

LaKeith Stanfield is one of the most underrated actors today. He is fantastic in “Judas and the BlackMessiah,” but he is a lead.This just shows you how political the Oscars are.If you campaign hard enough, you can win. 

‘Best Original Screenplay’ 

Jack Fincher, “Mank”—SNUB 

David Fincher’s story about how he brought to life his father’s un-produced script was one perfect for Oscar voters to eat up. Looks like they didn’t buy it. 

‘Best Documentary Feature’ 

“Boys State”—SNUB
“Dick Johnson is Dead”—SNUB
“All In: The Fight For Democracy”—SNUB 

Every year the Oscars get the documentary category wrong. “Dick Johnson is Dead” is the biggest of the snubs in this year’s category. “Dick Johnson” was a powerful, hilarious, and poetic rumination on mortality. It was the best documentary of the year, easily. 

‘Best Cinematography’ 

Christopher Blauvelt, “First Cow”—SNUB
Lachlan Milne, “Minari”—SNUB 

Again, “First Cow” was overlooked. Reichardt’s films are always visually striking, this one especially. “Minari” also had some gorgeous and grounded camera work that was overlooked by the Academy. 

‘Best Film Editing’

Robert Frazen, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things”—SNUB (read our review here) 

Charlie Kaufman isn’t for everyone and this may have been his most inaccessible film to date. That being said, the uneasy and disorienting editing was by far the most effective post-production work done this year. 

‘Best Original Score’

Labryinth, “Malcolm and Marie”—SNUB (read our review here)

Although I was not a fan of the film, Labyrinth’s work on the score was incredible. The jazz infused score paired with the black and white cinematography elevated the film ten-fold. 

‘Best Original Song’ 

Taylor Swift, “Only the Young”—SNUB 

Taylor Swift is constantly overlooked by the Academy, and love her or hate her, she’s a damn good songwriter. 

*Follow The Movie Buff for more coverage of the 93rd Academy Awards with a post-ceremony write-up, to follow.