AFI Honors: Bridgerton, Ma Rainey, Chicago 7, Nomadland, etc...
Monday, January 25, 2021 at 3:00PM 
Like the National Film Registry but in a more 'in the now' kind of way the American Film Institute offers up a top ten list each year meant to denote American screen entertainments that are "culturally and artistically representative" of the artform that year. This year's jury included luminaries like Oscar winner Marlee Martlin, Oscar nominees Cynthia Erivo and Rian Johnson, Honorary Oscar winner Wes Studi, 2021 Kennedy Center Honoree Debbie Allen, Emmy winner Amy Sherman-Palladino, Director Lulu Wang, film historians like Molly Haskell, Mark Harris, and Leonard Maltin, and many more including critics from Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, and The Washington Post. Here's what they came up with after the jump...
MOVIES OF THE YEAR
- DA 5 BLOODS
- JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
- MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
- MANK
- MINARI
- NOMADLAND
- ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
- SOUL
- SOUND OF METAL
- THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
When this award first started, it wasn't so Oscar predictive but, as we've discussed before, over the years it started to focus less on the zeitgeist and on films being discussed for the Best Picture race. Several of these are already frontrunners for that most coveted nomination. And the others (Soul, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Sound of Metal) are pretty easy to imagine as nominees, too, if the Globes or SAG also respond well to them. The AFI used to honor films with this list that really didn't have a shot at Best Picture but had made a culural impact (usually but not always at the box office). One good option this year in that regard would have been Invisible Man. And in terms of getting people talking or inspiring a ton of critical conversation you'll notice that Promising Young Woman and First Cow are missing. (Given that Judas didn't start screening until quite recently in 2021 it must have been the last thing they saw before voting.)
TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
- BETTER CALL SAUL
- BRIDGERTON
- THE CROWN
- THE GOOD LORD BIRD
- LOVECRAFT COUNTRY
- THE MANDALORIAN
- MRS AMERICA
- THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
- TED LASSO
- UNORTHODOX
SPECIAL AWARD
- HAMILTON
Since the AFI awards American work specifically made for film and television they use the "Special Award" each year for things that don't fit that criteria. Sometimes it's a film from another country that's nominated or something British (one option this year might have been "Small Axe" by Steve McQueen) but they opted to honor the filmed version of Hamilton Live which is... well, it's a good choice. It definitely speaks to 2020.
What'cha think?
AFI, Best Picture, List-Mania, TV, precursor awards
Reader Comments (19)
Maybe I need to give it another watch but I find THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 so...blah. Would this be anywhere in the conversation without Sorkin? Maybe with the large, impressive cast but nothing about this movie is award-worthy to me. It's the one film I keep getting bothered by popping up on Top/Best lists, and the default status it's been handed in the race.
Greg F - I feel exactly the same. It’s so bland and overwrought, and its inclusion feels entirely based on some notion of prestige given by Sorkin and the cast. I don’t understand how Mangrove didn’t just wipe this from the race - even if it isn’t eligible, it’s so much better at telling a very similar kind of story. Would really appreciate if it can rack up as few nominations as possible.
Would have loved to have seen The Forty Year Old Version here.
Nick - bingo. And while I take Gold Derby with a grain of salt, it's current positions (#1 screenplay, #2 BP, #3 BD) is depressing. Mangrove is far superior, but I understand the push back with SMALL AXE.
We get it. Film critics are not sexist, and not racist, and definitively not Trumpists. Can we move on?
I'm guessing the majority of the AFI jury are not film critics, but film industry folks. Can anyone confirm?
Okay, Bridgerton is a hit, it's funny, but anyone can think of ten or more TV shows that are better.
working stiff - it's a cross section of the types i listed -- famous actors, directors, famous film historians, industry people, and a smattering of critics from the really big name publications.
@Amberes I am so sorry that you have to endure multiple films about non white people and women getting awards. It must be so sad for you. By the way, this the future; film makers of color are not "moving on". Stay pressed.
I just want to echo the sentiments of Greg F. and Nick about Trial of the Chicago 7. It makes sense to me that the movie would show up here at AFI and eventually at the Oscars, but I can’t believe it’s doing so well with critics groups. The movie feels relevant, but it’s told in such an overly sentimental way that I’m surprised that it’s eliciting passion from anyone. Almost every character in the movie feels like a caricature.
That being said, I thought Mark Rylance was the clear best-in-show and brought a quiet dignity to the role while also having a few “big” Oscar clip scenes. I’m dumbstruck that Sacha Baron Cohen is getting all of the supporting actor attention, which I guess I’ll just chalk up to him having Borat 2 this year as well.
Bridgerton is awful. Pretty to look at. But horrendously bad.
I respect some titles of the list but I only love Sound of Metal.
I agree Bridgerton does not deserve to be here. The Good Lord Bird was a mess
Not great news for Promising Young Woman. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road to its path to Oscar glory.
I find The trial of the Chicago 7 reminds me of Argo. Fun, nothing great, cute cast. I just hope it doesn't get best picture prizes. Argo's oscar should have gone to Amour, Life of Pi or Django Unchained.
Why is Mank on that list? It's neither great nor unique.
Richard -- "unique" is clearly not a criteria they're looking for since CHICAGO 7 and JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH and MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM are all there which, quality arguments aside, are all from extremely well worn genres and modes of filmmaking: biopics, true stories, courtroom dramas, stage to screen prestige adaptation.
They almost Never Rarely Sometimes vote for female-centric movies. See what I did there?
I guess PYW is too off-kilter for AFI...Surprised tt News o the World din get in 🤔
Maybe both films will score betta w NBR n PGA.
I see you, Peggy Sue, and I thank you.