Watch And The Winner Isn't

And The Winner Isn't is a thought-provoking and funny documentary that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the sometimes murky and often hilarious world of award shows. The movie is directed by Geoffrey Moore, who also stars in it with his wife, Ambra Moore, and features appearances from well-known industry figures such as J.J. Abrams, Lenny Henry, and Alec Baldwin.

The premise of the movie is simple: Moore, a film director and producer, sets out to explore why some movies win awards while others don't, and why some awards shows are considered more prestigious than others. Along the way, he interviews a range of people involved in the process, from the judges who decide the winners to the publicists who campaign for their clients.

One of the main themes of the movie is the disconnect between critical acclaim and box-office success. Moore argues that many truly great films go unnoticed because they don't have the right marketing behind them, or because they are released at the wrong time. He highlights the case of Steven Spielberg's 1985 film The Color Purple, which received 11 Oscar nominations but failed to win a single award. Moore interviews the film's writer, Menno Meyjes, who speaks candidly about the disappointment of seeing his work overlooked by the Academy.

Another theme of the movie is the role of politics and lobbying in the award show process. The documentary sheds light on the extent to which publicists and studios campaign for their films and actors, often using underhand tactics to influence voters. The most extreme example of this is probably the case of Shakespeare in Love, which famously beat Saving Private Ryan to win Best Picture at the 1999 Oscars. The documentary features interviews with some of the people involved in the campaign for Shakespeare in Love, who openly admit to sending DVDs of the film to hundreds of Academy members and using targeted advertising to sway votes.

Despite the serious subject matter, And The Winner Isn't never takes itself too seriously. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly in the interviews with the celebrities who have been on the losing end of awards shows. Alec Baldwin's recounting of his experience at the 2003 Oscars, when he lost out to Chris Cooper for Best Supporting Actor, is a highlight. Meanwhile, Lenny Henry's deadpan observations on the absurdity of award shows are another source of amusement.

The movie is well-paced and never feels overly long, despite its 90-minute runtime. Moore's direction is assured, and he makes good use of archive footage to illustrate his points. The talking head interviews are interspersed with footage of Moore and his wife travelling to various award shows and meeting with industry figures, which adds a personal touch to the documentary.

One slight criticism of the movie is that it doesn't always delve as deeply into its topics as it could. The section on the politics of award shows, for example, feels like it could have been explored in more detail. However, this is a minor quibble, and the overall effect of the movie is to leave the viewer feeling entertained, informed, and perhaps a little bit sceptical about the whole idea of awards shows.

In conclusion, And The Winner Isn't is an engaging and entertaining documentary that offers a fascinating insight into the world of award shows. It is both funny and thought-provoking, and will appeal to anyone with an interest in film or popular culture. Whether you have a personal stake in the outcome of awards shows or just enjoy watching famous people in fancy clothes, this movie is well worth your time.