Writers Guild Nominations Contains Surprises

THE DESCENDANTS, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, THE HELP, MONEYBALL, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, HUGO, 50/50, WIN WIN, YOUNG ADULT and BRIDESMAIDS were among the high profile nominees announced last week for Best Screenplay honors by the Writers Guild of America. The writers’ organization divides the feature film categories into adapted and original script competition sections, as well as categories for documentaries, television films and mini-series and full length tv series.  Documentary nominees included such celebrated pics as BETTER THIS WORLD, IF A TREE FALLS, PINA, NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT, POSITION AMONG THE STARS and SENNA (but what happened to CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS?). There were several high profile dramatic films that did not make the cut, including such high-toned competitors as Steven Spielberg’s WAR HORSE and the 9/11 drama EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE.  Because of WGA rules that limit nominees to members of the guild, many of the films considered to be in the running for the Academy Awards are not eligible including such strong contenders as THE ARTIST, SHAME, BEGINNERS, DRIVER, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, THE IRON LADY, LIKE CRAZY, MARGIN CALL, TAKE SHELTER and TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY. All of the above, however, are eligible for Best Original or Adapted Screenplay Oscar nods, so a prize at the WGA Awards does not necessarily point to the eventual Academy winners.

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