The Film Experience

by Juan Carlos Ojano

In a year when most categories saw the number of their submissions drop, the Outstanding TV Movie category stands out as one of the few that actually had an increase in submissions (41 submissions from last year’s 28). On the flipside, this year saw even less high-profile contenders, adding to the growing indifference towards this category. Perhaps last year’s winner Bad Education set a high bar in how a “TV movie” can be received critically, faring well even in traditional film awards. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to blur what is considered a film and television, with streaming services now arbitrarily pushing some for Oscars and some for Emmys.

This year, let’s take a look at the field of contenders that we have (per platform)...

AMAZON
After failing to snag a nomination last year, Amazon is poised to make a splash in this category with at least two contenders: the period romance Sylvie’s Love (starring Tessa Thompson) and the comedy-drama Uncle Frank (starring Paul Bettany, also contending for WandaVision in limited series). Both films premiered in Sundance 2020, to positive reviews, and were acquired by the streamer. Initially, both films were discussed by awards pundits as possible Oscar contenders until Amazon indicated they were for the Emmys while they designated Sound of Metal and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm as Oscar titles (again, the line is blurred and arbitrary).

Aside from the big two, Amazon has quite a few possibilities. Their titles include the action-thriller 7500, the sci-fi drama Bliss, the romantic drama Chemical Hearts, and the dark comedy Get Duked!. It's interesting to note that films from the Welcome to the Blumhouse series featuring horror and thriller works are all submitted individually (Black Box, Evil Eye, The Lie, Nocturne). Meanwhile Steve McQueen's film series Small Axe is considered one entry as an anthology series.

DISNEY+
Still on the hunt for a nomination in this category, the streamer has four submissions: the biographical music drama Clouds, the superhero comedy Flora & Ulysses, the fantasy comedy Godmothered, and the sports biopic Safety. While none of these are touted as strong contenders, the closest is probably Clouds, directed by Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin) based on the true story of Zach Sobiech, a musician who went through cancer.

Not included here is the filmed version of Hamilton; it is instead eligible for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-recorded).

HBO
HBO is the reigning champ of this category. They have two contenders this year. Coastal Elites, released in the height of the pandemic last year is about five people talking about the ravaging pandemic. It's directed by Jay Roach (Trumbo, Bombshell) and stars names from Emmy-winning and nominated shows like Bette Midler (The Politician), Sarah Paulson (The People v. O.J. Simpson), Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable). However, reception was mixed at best.

The cable network is surely putting their stock on Oslo, the adaptation of the Tony-winning play directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher and starring Andew Scott (Fleabag) and Ruth Wilson (The Affair). It was released near the end of the eligibility period (May 29th of this year), and the last-minute drop is strategic given that it's a wide open field.

HBO MAX
This new extension of HBO has at least two films in the running. The romantic comedy Superintelligence (starring Emmy winner Melissa McCarthy) has received mixed reviews, so the streamer probably has a better shot with Unpregnant, the road film about two friends crossing state lines to seek an abortion. Haley Lu Richardson (Support the Girls) and Barbie Ferreira (Euphoria) star. Unpregnant received positive reviews.

It's interesting to note that early predictions included the Seth Rogen-starrer An American Pickle, the streamer’s first original film, but it was submitted for neither Emmy nor Oscar consideration. Steven Soderbergh's Let Them All Talk was submitted for the Oscars instead of the Emmys.

HULU
Hulu was the first streamer to win a Series award at the Emmys (in 2017 for The Handmaid’s Tale), but its luck for this category is probably running slim this season. The anthology horror Books of Blood, the sci-fi action Boss Level, and the musical drama-comedy The Ultimate Playlist of Noise have received varying critical reception. The most well-received is arguably Boss Level, directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, and Naomi Watts. Meanwhile, The Ultimate Playlist of Noise stars The Handmaid's Tale star Madeline Brewer. Call them extreme longshots.

LIFETIME
Lifetime could make a comeback in this category after struggling for the past decade (only four nominees). The closest to a good bet they have is Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia, a biopic about the titular singer which stars Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black). Its relatively positive reception, together with praise for its lead actress, could keep the film in the mix despite this category’s growing preference for HBO vs. streamers showdowns.

The network also has Wendy Williams: The Movie, a biopic about the celebrity talk show host. With the accompanying release of the documentary Wendy Williams: What a Mess!, it will be interesting to see if the doc helps the film.

NETFLIX
After taking four of the five available nomination slots last year (only to lose the category), the most popular streamer is back with only one pony. Perhaps that's a byproduct of them going all in with the Oscars last year? Their sole submission is Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, the Christmas musical starring the legend and vaccine icon together with 15-time Emmy nominee Christine Baranski. Films released by Dolly Parton are pretty much unaffected by reviews when it comes to this category; Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love (2016) and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings: These Old Bones (2020) received nominations despite less-than-stellar reviews.

PREDICTIONS (I’m not confident after the first four):

Sylvie’s Love (Amazon)
Uncle Frank (Amazon)
Oslo (HBO)
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (Netflix)
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lifetime)

Alt: Coastal Elites (HBO), Unpregnant (HBO Max), Clouds (Disney+)

more on the upcoming Emmys