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The ‘70s are considered a classic era for American film, which makes these years well worth divvying out my retroactive awards for. I have arrived at 1975, a notable year for the Oscars, but will I be agreeing with the Oscars on three of my awards? The Academy made one film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, one of the handful of “Big Five” winners ever. That’s winning Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. I give out three of those, plus two other awards. Here are my thoughts.
Best Supporting Actress: Lee Grant, Shampoo
Shampoo is an interesting film, centered on Warren Beatty and a series of women. Julie Christie and Goldie Hawn were both nominated as lead actresses at the Golden Globes, while Grant was the one slotted on the supporting front. This was also true at the Oscars, where she won. Grant was a compelling screen presence who overcame the Hollywood Blacklist to be nominated for three Oscars in the 1970s. She also directed quite a bit of non-fiction and documentary. What a career.
Best Supporting Actor: Charles Durning, Dog Day Afternoon
I was late to seeing Dog Day Afternoon, not necessarily enthusiastic to watch a film about a couple bank robbers taking hostages, even if it is considered a classic. I am glad I did, though, because the film is so good. John Cazale gets attention for his part, because it fits into the narrative of his impeccable, brief legacy. Chris Sarandon got an Oscar nomination. Durning, though, is the supporting performance who blew me away. To think, previously I saw him as the bad guy from The Muppet Movie in my mind.
Best Actress: Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
You could maybe consider this a bit of category fraud, even if Fletcher is clearly the largest role for a woman in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. My only question is related to the fact she is still probably in support of Jack Nicholson, the one clear “lead” performance in the film. That being said, it is a quibble, and the Oscars gave Fletcher Best Actress. So will I, because she is great in the movie. A worthy winner, regardless of whether you slot her in support or as a lead.
Best Actor: Roy Scheider, Jaws
If I gave out directing awards, Steven Spielberg would be an easy name to choose, because so much of the success of Jaws is in his direction. Let’s not overlook the acting, though. Scheider is the flawed hero of Jaws, the heart of the film. Richard Dreyfuss is the jabbering intellect, and Robert Shaw is the hard-edged curmudgeon. Martin Brody? He just wants to do his job and stay off the water. He’s relatable, or at least understandable.
Best Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
I got to this award and I realized I didn’t know which movie I wanted to give it to. Jaws and Dog Day Afternoon ended up falling just short. I think Nashville might be in the mix if I watched it with fresh eyes, but I have not been able to do so. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest floored me when I saw it as a teenager. As an adult, it doesn’t hit quite as hard, but it still hits. The film is frayed, but can make you tear up in the drop of a hat. Oh, and Nicholson is quite good, even if I awarded Scheider over him.
