I once read an article that said the movies that are nominated during an election year represent the issues of the day. I read this in 2000 when the movies nominated for Best Picture of 1999 included American Beauty, The Sixth Sense, The Cider House Rules, The Insider, and The Green Mile. The article claimed based on these movies the issues that were most on people’s minds were Family Values (American Beauty, The Sixth Sense and The Cider House Rules), corporate corruption (The Insider) and capital punishment (The Green Mile). Since then we have had 2 more elections and it hasn’t been to clear how the all the movies lined up with the issues although some movies are obvious. In 2004 Mystic River dealt with child molestation and violent crimes but what issues did Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King represent? In 2008 the issues were much clearer. We again had corporate corruption (Michael Clayton), the power of oil and religion (There Will be Blood), Teenage Pregnancy (Juno) and violence in society (No Country for Old Men).
So what about 2012? Well with 9 movies nominated it is harder to say. A recurring theme is the idea of looking for something. Hugo, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and War Horse all have boys looking for something a key, a dad’s secret, and a horse. Midnight in Paris, Hugo, and The Artists take a nostalgic look at the past. But overall the social issues addressed are jobs, war, race, and care for the earth and others.
Here are the nominations and how they might represent the talking points of this year’s election. Some of these are a stretch and some are really easy, and since I didn't see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close or War Horse I am just going on what I have heard about them.
The Artist- A movie about how new technology threatens ones lively hood. Issues addressed – Fear of the new and the loss of jobs. Jobs will be a big issue in the election.
The Descendants- About a man who struggles with to keep his family together during the sickness of his wife. Issues addressed – Family Values with side plots that involve capitalism vs. conservationism and end of life issues like living wills. This election cycle has not been so much about family values but the side plot of preserving a piece of land or using it to make money has been talked about.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close – About a boy dealing with the aftermath of 9/11. Issues addressed –After 10 years we are still dealing with our feelings about that day. 9/11 always seems to be a talking point during the elections.
The Help - About black maids in the South during the 50’s. Issues addressed- Racial tensions. Race is another talking point that always seems to find its way into the discussion.
Hugo – About a boy looking for the key to his robot and how he fits into the world, also the loss of ones lively hood after technology changes. Issues addressed- Dealing with loss and finding your place in the world. With a lot of people out of jobs everyone is looking for how they fit into the current picture.
Midnight in Paris – About a guy who looks back on the past as being a great time. Issues addressed – The way we romanticize the past and not look at how it really was. There have been lots of talk about returning to the policies of the past when everything was better.
Moneyball – About a poor team trying to compete with teams with more money. Issues addressed – The struggle between the rich and the poor. The perfect movie for the Occupy Wall Street crowd.
The Tree of Life – About spirituality and the struggle between human nature and grace. Issues addressed- The battle between doing what is good for the many vs. what is good for self. This can be another metaphor for the battle between socialism and capitalism.
War Horse – About a boy who looks for his horse during WWI. Issues addressed – The effects of war on people. With the country ending one war and the talk of a war with Iran you know that this will be a hot topic.
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