In the 11th hour just before the Oscar vote count (ballots are due in on Tuesday March 2nd) "Hurt Locker" has conceivably been dealt a couple of blows that may affect the outcome of the Oscar race.
One of the producers of the nominated film (directed by Kathryn Bigelow) was roundly criticized overnight in many quarters for zipping off an e-mail to family, friends, and supporters (a handful of which were Academy Members) urging that eligible voters snub the "$500 million-dollar flick" (Avatar?) in favor of "Hurt Locker".
According to the rules of the Academy, filmmakers are barred from engaging in negative campaigns against competing nominees.
The producer in question - Nicolas Chartier (one of four involved with Bigelow's directing effort) - fired off a second e-mail later in the week, however, when he learned for the first time (he swears!) that his actions were a violation of Academy policy.
Chartier cited naivete, ignorance of the rules, and plain stupidity for the gaffe.
Meanwhile, eleswhere on page one of the Los Angeles Times this morning, journalists reported that Military personnel were inclined to pooh-pooh "Hurt Locker" on the grounds that it did not accurately depict the subject matter.
In sum, a number of soldiers on duty currently (and veterans, too) say the film amounted to sheer fantasy.
"The filmmakers have portrayed the soldiers as renegades while failing to represent details about combat accurately," they lamented in so many words.
In particular, one consistent complaint pertained to the Army's Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and procedures for disarming stray or planted (concealed) explosive devices.
Some military critics quipped:
"The Hurt Locker is a good action movie if you know nothing about defusing roadside bombs or the military."
Sgt. Eric Gordon (Air Force EOD) wasn't inclined to pussy-foot around the issue.
"I would watch it with other EOD people and we would laugh," he chuckled.
At issue was one scene where the lead actor diffused a bomb with simple wire cutters.
"It's similar to having a firefighter go into a building with a squirt bottle," he added distastefully.
In my own review, I noted that the film was "flawed".
From a technical standpoint, there were obvious errors made in respect to editing, for example.
Also, I felt that Mark Boal's script was too pat and predictable and not of Oscar calibre.
Hurt Locker Movie Review
Post: 11/19/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/11/hurt-lockerintense-flawed-film-director.html
In addition to the authenticity question, Military personnel also griped that Bigelow and the producers deviated from (and shot scenes) not approved by the Government.
Lt. Col. J. Todd Breasseale accused the production outfit of shooting a scene in which soldiers acted violently towards detainees.
On that issue alone, the Government was forced to back out of its agreement to assist on the project, because the military does not provide help to films which depict violatons of laws of war (unless the producers also follow through on the consequences of such wrongful acts).
Breasseale has taken the position on record - that the film is a great story and a "spectacular-looking movie" - but summarized the project this way:
"If you're looking for realism and how military relationships really work, I believe she missed the mark."
Pentagon staff gave Bigelow and her creative team a slap on the wrist as well.
"The filmmaker's interest in drama and excitement exceeded what we felt were reasonably realistic portrayals," added Phillip M. Strub (Special Assistant Pentagon for Entertainment Media).
Meanwile, the Academy will have to wrestle with the Chartier breach of policy and determine if the incident cries out for disciplinary action.
Worse case scenario at press time?
The Academy may consider removing the film from best picture contention.
In the event Chartier and the Bigelow production escape that fate, in the end scenario there still may be one niggling hurdle to overcome.
Why, the almighty ballot, of course!
How will Academy members react to the controversy on the eve of the vote count?
We'll know come Oscar night when the winners are ceremoniously announced on March 7th.
Director Kathryn Bigelow at the helm!
