Oscar Update: 'Reader' Debate and Two More Foreign Hopefuls

Weinstein vs. Rudin... Who will win?

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Tuesday, September 23rd 2008 at 3:48 AM

The Hollywood Reporter has an article up discussing the Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes starrer The Reader which was confirmed for a December 2008 release without an concrete date and it seems there was reason for it. Apparently Harvey Weinstein wants to release the film thanks to strong test screening buzz and the high potential for Oscar nominations but producer wants to hold off until 2009 since he already has Oscar hopefuls Revolutionary Road and Doubt waiting in the wings.

Of course, Harvey isn't completely devoid of Oscar potential with Penelope Cruz almost a lock for Supporting Actress from Vicky Cristina Barcelona as well as the potential The Road and Shanghai carry. Even though the Shanghai mention is a new one to me.

I recently put in a photo request with Weinstein for a first look at The Reader and now I know why the request came back empty, director Stephen Daldry is still in post, working to put the final touches on the film based on the bestselling novel by German writer Bernhard Schlink. The story is set in contemporary Germany, where a man recounts the story of his erotic awakening in a covert love affair with an older woman in the wake of WWII. Perhaps the greatest quote of the THR article is their description of the film's reason for being an Oscar contender:

A-list talent, period setting, respected and Oprah-endorsed book — that could thrust it into the center of the awards race.

Hmmmmm, what do you think of The Dark Knight's chances at an Oscar now? Sorry, I just had to laugh at that description considering how accurate it actually is and how many films are pretty much locked out instantly because of it.

THR points out Rudin had a similar dilemma last year when his two films No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood competed against one another and with Winslet starring in both Revolutionary Road and The Reader it is basically a producer's Oscar nightmare and considering Winslet's talent and the buzz behind both of those films you can pretty much be assured she is getting at least one nom.

I don't know what many of you will think about this, but another reason Harvey Weinstein is making the push is due to the 2008 deaths of Reader producers the late Anthony Minghella and the late Sydney Pollack.

No matter what happens I am sure Harvey will be prepared as he is known for his ability to bombard folks with Oscar hopefulls and "For Your Consideration" attention.

In other news I have added two more films to the Foreign Language Contenders list as Iceland puts forward White Night Wedding and Palestine will submit Salt of this Sea. A complete list of all the submissions to date can be found here.