Jonathan Nolan Responds to 'Dark Knight' Oscar Snub

No matter how it would've played out, The Dark Knight would have been the most talked about movie as it relates to the recent Oscar nominations. If it had been up for more major awards - it received eight nominations, seven in technical categories - then the chatter would have been about how cool it was that the Oscars remembered the film and how legitimate comic book movies are, as if they somehow weren't already. As it is, the discussion centers on how the film was snubbed. I was surprised it didn't receive nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, and was particularly surprised by the omission in the directing category, although I never felt the movie had a chance of winning either one. Now co-writer Jonathan Nolan has hammered out a letter of thanks to the supporters of The Dark Knight in its quest to become a Best Picture hopeful, posted recently at Dark Campaign:

hey — not sure who to address this to as it looks like a collective effort, but I just wanted to pass along my thanks. It’s truly humbling that you guys would take the time and effort to try to get the film recognized. I, like you, was disappointed that Chris didn’t get some recognition this morning, but for Heath and so many of the people who worked so hard on this thing to get nominated is thrilling. Any nominations for a comic book movie is a thing of beauty no matter how you slice it, and that takes the sting out a bit. Besides, I’ve been to the big show before, and, like any of these things, it’s a little disappointing. Did you know it’s not even an open bar once the show starts? At least this time I would have remembered to bring a little cash so I could buy myself a drink after losing. The best part of this experience is seeing other people getting passionate about the film the way that we did. It has been a truly incredible experience. So thank you again. best, jonah nolan

It's a classy response, and I don't think anyone involved in the film has anything to be upset about. If anything, the monumental success of the film might have worked against it, with voters possibly feeling they didn't need to vote for it because others would, and focused instead on smaller films that they hoped would get a boost from Oscar exposure.

Comments

[Julian Francis]

Indeed classy. Nice touch about the open bar. It's all very refreshing after that statement we saw from that Brokecrap Mountain author a couple years ago.

[Lengthy Johnson]

The Academy Awards have never been an exact science. There are no exact criteria for winning a nomination or award.

Typically, sucessful Oscar-films will be well-crafted with a fairly conventional narrative and a touch of moral, social or political issues that are in step with the times.

The Dark Knight is just a Batman movie, no matter how you slice it.

I'm also amazed by the poor language in Jonathan Nolan's e-mail. This guy is a writer?

[harry]

OH PLEASE LIKE THE SMALLER MOVIES ARE SO HIGH UP THE NO ONE SHOULD LOOKE AT IT WHEN ITS NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR. MOST OF THOSE SMALL MOVIES ARE BORING AND BAD LIKE CRASH WINNING A BEST PICTURE WHAT A JOKE. THE OSCARS ARE A BIG JOKE. ITS ONLY HERE SO PEOPLE FROM HOLLYWOOD CAN KISS THEIR OWN ASS!

[Passionate Conservative]

I thought Dark Knight showed great promise for an award, but the folks in charge of nominations seem to not want to be sullied with "comic book" movies at the awards. No matter how good the production is, no matter how good the actors, the story, the direction is, it's still a comic book movie.

[Lisa]

Not surprised. Hype and popularity doesn't equal an oscar nomination.

[Bosco]

Oscars about "art" ? Haha, come on, this supposed art is second to politics. Nominations and awards have more to do with political message and / or payoff for a political stance taken during the year. It is impossible to believe "American Beauty" or "No Country For Old Men" ever won Oscars, if not for what they say about America or messages of hopelessness. Best Documentary should be renamed Best Propaganda after Earth in Da Lurch by Al Lurch Gore, or Moore's Bush 'documentary.' Fill in your own set of actors and movies. Otherwhere in Big Hollywood the prediction is this may be the lowest ratings for Oscars yet. I'll do my part to make it so.

[Lengthy Johnson]

Honestly, I think Ledger's performance would have been snubbed also, if he hadn't died.

Now it's his last chance for an Oscar and he's almost certain to get it in recognition of his brief but promising career.

If he hadn't died, I'm sure voters would have made a point to say "come back again with a more serious film next time".

[tom]

The only great acting in the film was Ledger's and he was heads and shoulders above the rest to the point that it was almost distracting. I'm still not sure Ledger deserves an Oscar nod, it was an outstanding performance, but it was thin and not a terribly difficult performance. The direction was far from good in DK. The disparity in the acting performances is part of the Direction and he failed in either pushing the other main actors in holding Ledger back (I feel it was the former). The story meandered quite a bit and Nolan could have tightened up the action quite a bit. There's no doubt this was a great film and solid performances by almost everyone, but Oscar worthy, sorry, not even close.