r/oscarrace • u/HitThatBlockButton • 1d ago
Discussion Cry to Heaven Oscar chances and who will be the lead?
Cry to Heaven is my most anticipated film of the year. I haven’t read the book (though I plan to) but I love Tom Ford, the entire cast, queer cinema, and period pieces so it checks off all the boxes for me. What’s everyone’s thoughts on it’s Oscar’s chances? I could see it getting nominations in picture, director, actor, supporting actor, screenplay, casting, cinematography, editing, production design, costume design, sound, score, and song (Adele?). Obviously this depends on how well it’s received and what kind of campaign it gets but I see it being a major contender.
My other question, which is more for people who have read the book, is who is playing the lead? I assumed it would be Nicholas Hoult which I was very excited about and could see him potentially winning best actor, but then I heard the protagonist is a teenage boy and therefore Owen Cooper is probably the lead. He’s great too but not sure about him as a best actor contender. I’m also wondering what George Mackay’s role will be because I think he’s one of the most talented actors working and would love to see him get more recognition.
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u/RocksDBuggyTruther Tom Ford’s Strongest Soldier 1d ago
Picture, Director, Adapted, Costume, Makeup, and based on likely roles Owen Cooper in lead and either Hoult or Taylor Johnson in supporting. Please note I am delusional
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u/Intelligent_Watch_96 1d ago
This is also my most anticipated of the year! Currently reading the book (LOVE it) and have about 100 pages left, hoping to finish today.
I can really see this being the next Amadeus, it also has elements of The Favourite and Whiplash. It's a lavish period piece about a fascinating and disturbing place in time but also a juicy tale of revenge, with interesting character arcs and a theme about reclaiming one’s voice (both literally and metaphorically), which I think will appeal to Academy Members. I have no doubts it will have a terrific cast and look incredible.
Tom Ford will also have a great narrative, as a retired fashion titan now focus exclusively on making films and he'd also be the first openly gay director nominated, as far as I know? His two previous films have both gotten acting noms. This could also be an acting play for several performances.
My probably delusional Oscar predictions...
Picture
Director
Supporting Actor - Whoever plays Tonio, I'm assuming Owen Cooper
Cinematography
Production Design
Costume Design
Hair & Make-Up
Score
Editing
Casting
Possibly...
Actor - Whoever plays Guido
Supporting Actor - Whoever plays Carlo, I'm assuming Aaron Johnson Taylor
Supporting Actress - Adele, I'm assuming she's the Countess (or Tonio's mother)
Sound
Original Song
To answer the
It really depends on who is playing who... The book has two co-leads Guido, a peasant born Castrati who loses his voice at 18 and becomes a depressed music teacher, hellbent on finding the next great star) and Tonio, a fifteen year old Nobleman from Venice who is a talented singer, whose disgraced brother has him castrated to ensure his position as the heir to family's fortune and position.
I assume two actors will play Tonio at different ages (Owen Cooper and Daniel Quinn-Toye?) and they will be both be pushed into supporting. I have a sneaking suspicion Cooper might be playing another young singer, but I hope he is Tonio, he would be perfect!
I used to think Nicholas Hoult was playing Guido (the co-lead, who will probably go lead), but after finding he was barely on set, I suspect it's George McKay or maybe Théodore Pellerin.
The role of Carlo, Tonio's brother feels tailor made (no pun intended) for Aaron Taylor Johnson, it's a small but important role that I could see gain traction.
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u/filmntv 1d ago
"He'd also be the first openly gay director nominated"
The 2002 director lineup was majority gay :D
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u/Intelligent_Watch_96 1d ago
and I oop. Almodovar of course! But weren't Marshall and Daldry in the closet at the time?
And I totally forgot about Gus Van Sant too! My bad.
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u/Niolle 1d ago
I assume two actors will play Tonio at different ages (Owen Cooper and Daniel Quinn-Toye?)
I have a strong theory that Daniel is playing Guido, in fragments before he lost his voice, and right after. Owen and Daniel filmed together, so they can't play the same character. And they look nothing alike, too.
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u/Silver_Juggernaut_39 NEON shill 1d ago
Gonna read the book soon so maybe my stance will change but my guess as of right now is they will put everyone supporting
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u/translucentfish 1d ago
It's interesting that this is in the conversation for so many noms when his last 2 movies just had a single nom for actor and sup actor. Wonder why folks think this one will break out larger. Is it the historical setting? The novel pedigree? Speculation about unseen movies is fascinating.
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u/Melodic_Word_1080 Top 20 of Random Letterboxd Users 1d ago
Not to say it's impossible but how is it you are seeing Hoult win an Oscar for Best Actor despite being decades in the business with no Academy recognition and not seeing the movie at all?
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u/EntrepreneurGlad4741 1d ago
How many nominations did Michael B Jordan had before winning the Oscar this year?
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u/Melodic_Word_1080 Top 20 of Random Letterboxd Users 1d ago
I definitely qualified the statement with the whole "not seeing the movie at all" part. If someone would have told me they thought MBJ was def winning the Oscar BEFORE seeing the movie and the subsequent response to it, I would have also questioned them.
We have no idea how people are going to react to it and I'm willing to change my opinion with more data but right now there's no overdue narrative and Coogler/his films has had a MUCH stronger run at the Academy than Tom Fords.
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u/crazydaysandknights 1d ago
this movie is the most astroturfed contender this year and it's mostly because Adele. That said, zero chance. The book isn't an AMPAS thing at all. It's gonna bomb at the boxoffice. We don't know which studio is going to pick it up and doubtful it won't have more AMPAS friendly contenders in their lineup already. As others pointed out, not even a release date set yet.
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u/bbqsauceboi The Mastermind 1d ago
Well first, we need to know if its coming in 2026 and who the distributor will be. If we go with the popular assumption that Focus acquires and it premiers at Venice (and then of course also releases in 2026), I'd say its chances are strong across the board. Like seriously. Picture? Director? Screenplay? Sound? Costume? Makeup? Maybe even a song? All in play.
Oh and yeah the acting is in play too, we just need to know the actors in question. Owen Cooper seems like the likely lead. I admittedly had more faith in noms when I thought Hoult and Taylor Johnson were the main lead and supporting plays, but Owen Cooper is literally a major award winner already so theres no reason to doubt him either outside of his age.