‘Last Flag Flying’ Puts Richard Linklater And Steve Carell Back In Oscar’s Sights

Amazon Studios already has one Best Picture player with “The Big Sick” which wowed at Sundance and became a summer box office hit the industry adores. After today’s screening at the New York Film Festival of “Last Flag Flying,” it looks like they have Richard Linklater‘s moving drama in the race too.

Based on Darryl Ponicsan‘s novel, ‘Last Flag’ is the sort of movie a major segment of the Academy’s membership should warmly embrace. Set in 2003, it finds three former Vietnam vets accompanying one of their long lost buddies (Steve Carell) to pick up the body of his son who has died in the early days of the Iraq War. It centers on themes of life-long friendship, but, more importantly, walks the delicate line between respecting the military service of its characters while also letting them vent their frustration over how they were treated and the parallels they see with a war “you can’t lose” in the Middle East. The movie is equally funny as it is emotionally affecting, and just how much so is something that probably can’t be accurately conveyed in print. Much of the credit for this, however, has to go to Linklater and Ponicsan’s script, which seems like a shoe-in for an Adapted Screenplay nomination, but that’s just the beginning.

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“Last Flag” is a major contender for a Best Picture, Best Director (Linklater), Best Editing (“Boyhood” nominee Sandra Adair) and, of course, a number of acting nominations. Who gets nominated for what is actually the biggest mystery surrounding the film’s awards prospects.

At the moment, and despite any listings currently on Amazon’s Academy screening site, The Playlist is being told all three actors are being eyed for Supporting Actor nominations.  Yes, that means the movie has no lead, but it’s probably an easier way to play ensemble than the lead actor category for all three I guess?  Oh, and this might change in the next 36-48 hours.  Maybe.

In theory, Bryan Cranston, who plays probable alcoholic Sal, should be in the Lead Actor race. Much of the story is told through Sal’s eyes and/or he is the character whose almost endless banter and willingness to “poke” his friends with one bit after another moves the story forward the most. Carell, who portrays the heartbroken “Doc,” could definitely race in Supporting Actor, but, instead, may race in Lead Actor. The would avoid putting Carell up against his own charismatic turn in “Battle of the Sexes” and, if both were in the same category, it could ruin a chance for either to land a nod.  Although it should be noted how fantastic Carrell is as effectively the “straight man” playing “Doc.” So much so that a Supporting Actor nod seems like a given. Cranston could earn a nod in either category, but will fight it out in Supporting Actor opposite co-star Fishburne. “The Matrix” star delivers the least flashy turn in the cast, but he’s arguably the film’s rock and worth of recognition in his own right.

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Is there a way all three could earn nominations?  Sure.  The three actors charisma and performances drive much of the film (literally at times).  If the Academy membership loves it, don’t be surprised if they find a way to get all three actors in there…somewhere.

“Last Flag Flying” opens in limited release on Nov. 3.