Oscar In Love

- StudioBriefing, 9 February 1999


Academy voters exhibited their love for Shakespeare in Love
(1998) as they awarded the British romantic comedy 13 Oscar
nominations -- more than any other 1998 film and only one
nomination less than the record number picked up by Titanic
last year. It received nods in almost every major category,
including best picture, director, actress, supporting actor,
supporting actress and original screenplay. Saving Private
Ryan (1998) received 11 nominations. Roberto Benigni was
nominated in three categories for his Life Is Beautiful:
director, actor, and original screenplay. The film itself
was nominated in both the best film and best foreign-language
film categories -- something that has not occurred since
1969's Z. Surprising omissions: Jim Carey was passed over for
a best actor nomination for Truman Show, The (1998). Bill
Murray went empty-handed for Rushmore. Both actors had been
honored at earlier awards presentations. Nominees in the top
categories: BEST PICTURE: Elizabeth, Life Is Beautiful (1997),
Saving Private Ryan (1998), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Thin
Red Line, The (1998). ACTOR: Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful
(1997); Tom Hanks,Saving Private Ryan; Ian McKellen, Gods and
Monsters (1998); Nick Nolte, Affliction; Edward Norton,
American History X (1998). ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth;
Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station (1998); Gwyneth Paltrow,
Shakespeare in Love (1998); Meryl Streep, One True Thing
(1998); Emily Watson, Hilary and Jackie (1999). SUPPORTING
ACTOR: James Coburn, Affliction; Robert Duvall, Civil Action,
A (1998); Ed Harris, Truman Show, The (1998); Geoffrey Rush,
Shakespeare in Love (1998); Billy Bob Thornton, Simple Plan,
A (1998). SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kathy Bates, Primary Colors
(1998); Brenda Blethyn, Little Voice (1998); Judi Dench,
Shakespeare in Love (1998); Rachel Griffiths, Hilary and Jackie
(1999); Lynn Redgrave, Gods and Monsters (1998). DIRECTOR:
Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful (1997); Steven Spielberg,
Saving Private Ryan (1998); John Madden, Shakespeare in Love
(1998); Terrence Malick, Thin Red Line, The (1998); Peter Weir,
Truman Show, The (1998). SCREENPLAY (written directly for the
screen): Warren Beatty and Jeremy Pikser, Bulworth; Vincenzo
Cerami and Roberto Benigni, Life Is Beautiful (1997); Robert
Rodat, Saving Private Ryan (1998); Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard,
Shakespeare in Love (1998); Andrew Niccol, Truman Show, The
(1998). SCREENPLAY (based on material previously produced or
published): Bill Condon, Gods and Monsters (1998); Scott Frank,
Out of Sight (1998); Elaine May, Primary Colors (1998); Scott B.
Smith, Simple Plan, A (1998); Terrence Malick, Thin Red Line,
The (1998).