Analyze the Undeserving Academy Awards Winners of 2019 and Beyond

The 91st Academy Awards (also known as the Oscars) in 2019 was full of surprising upsets and more than a few questionable choices. Several winners stood out as contenders that critics and industry insiders would not have picked as the top picks. While every winner has their own merits, one stands out as particularly undeserving: Green Book for the Best Picture award.

The Surprising Choice: Green Book

Green Book won the prestigious Best Picture award over heavy favorites like Roma and The Favourite. This outcome was surprising to many in the film industry due to the critical acclaim garnered by Roma, director Alfonso Cuarón's innovative visual storytelling, comedic and dramatic performances, and its emotional depth.

Questionable Marketing Tactics and Influence

The film industry can often be hosting a covert battle of marketing dominance, such as the extensive Green Book campaign that heavily featured "For Your Consideration" advertisements. These ads are designed to gain the attention of the Academy members, whose votes determine the winners. The sheer amount of such advertisements can skew the public perception and influence the final results. Similarly, the producers of The Shape of Water followed a similar strategy last year, leading to its victory despite the stronger performances by other contenders.

Best Picture and Its Relevance Today

Best Picture winners, while often celebrated in the moment, tend to fade quickly into obscurity. In the past decade, several films have won the award only to lose their relevance over time. From the provocative Get Out in 2017 to the visually stunning Green Book in 2019, most Best Picture winners are soon overshadowed by newer, more relevant releases. The true test of a film's quality is often its age, with classics like Birdman and Moonlight standing the test of time.

From Golden Era to Modern Controversies

The Academy Awards have historically honored films that resonated with the public and critics in the 1980s and 1990s. Films like likelike the Golden Globe-winning The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, and The Shawshank Redemption were celebrated for their excellence in storytelling and craft. However, in recent years, the Academy's choices seem to have moved away from the cultural and artistic significance of a film, often focusing on marketable elements and campaign support.

Why might such extensive marketing skews the process? First, producers use these campaigns to increase the visibility and popularity of their films. This can result in increased box office revenue and critical acclaim. Second, the heavy marketing can create a bias among the Academy voters, who may feel pressured into voting for a film simply because they heard so much about it. Lastly, the impact of such marketing can overshadow the quality of other films that may not have received as much attention or funding for their campaigns.

While the Academy Awards aim to recognize the best films of the year, the influence of marketing and voter bias can often undermine this goal. As a result, the process has become more controversial, with critics questioning the objectivity of the awards.

What does the future hold for the Academy Awards? Will we continue to see films win in categories like Best Picture for reasons other than their artistic merit? The ongoing debate over the effectiveness of the nomination and voting process suggests that significant changes may be necessary to restore the Academy Awards to their former prestige.

One thing is certain: the Academy Awards will always be a topic of intense discussion and debate, serving as a reflection of the broader culture and the diverse perspectives of its members.