I would say 50% of the conversations my mom and I have are about movies, so it's not surprising that we decided to watch all of the Best Editing Academy Award nominees and rank them.
Here are our Best Editing thoughts and ratings.
The Father, edited by Yorgos Lamprinos
Basic idea: An elderly father (Anthony Hopkins) loses track of what's real because of dementia.
Our ratings for Best Editing:
Nancy: The cuts were great. The editing added to the audience's experience for ourselves of the father's dementia because it accomplished its mission of keeping us off balance and unsure about what was going on. Rating: 8/10
Hope: In 10 years, I won't be like, "Hey, remember how well The Father was edited?" but I don't think it could have been any more effective. I was always overarchingly confused while knowing exactly what was happening from scene to scene. Rating: 8/10
Nomadland, edited by Chloé Zhao
Basic idea: A woman (Frances McDormand) lives in her van and travels throughout the United States as a "nomad."
Our ratings for Best Editing:
Nancy: If "sleepy" was the goal of the editing, it certainly succeeded. Folks, this movie is Don Quixote in an Airstream. Rating: 5/10
Hope: Lovely amounts of space, and the editing nailed the vast, relaxed, quiet vibe, but that's simply not the kind of movie vibe I lean toward. Rating: 6/10
Promising Young Woman, edited by Frédéric Thoraval
Basic idea: An ex–med student (Carey Mulligan) seeks revenge on her best friend's rapist and everyone who failed to hold him accountable.
Our ratings for Best Editing:
Nancy: I originally thought the editing was terrific, but a week later, I now don't remember it at all, so I'm lowering my score. Rating: 6/10
Hope: The movie was a perfect mix of calm and very, very high stress. Rating: 9/10
Sound of Metal, edited by Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
Basic idea: A four-years-sober heavy metal drummer (Riz Ahmed) loses his hearing.
Our ratings for Best Editing:
Nancy: I don't know much about editing, but if it means keeping a fast, engaging pace, then definitely yes. Rating: 7/10
Hope: Yeah, sure. I mean, I didn’t notice Sound of Metal's editing all that much, but maybe that’s my problem. Rating: 7/10
The Trial of the Chicago 7, edited by Alan Baumgarten
Basic idea: In 1969, a chaotic, unfair trial ensues when the US government prosecutes seven anti–Vietnam War protesters plus the leader of the Black Panther Party (based on a true story).
Our ratings for Best Editing:
Nancy: Lots of fast-paced cuts that helped keep the movie riveting. (Also, bonus points to sound for making Eddie Redmayne's swallowed accent intelligible.) Rating: 8/10
Hope: I literally said “Shoutout” to the editor while watching it. The overlapping dialogue flowed without ever being too smooth for the tone, and the many scenes all felt distinct without their transitions taking me out of the movie (except once at the very end). Rating: 9/10
So here are our rankings and winners for Best Editing:
Nancy:
1. The Father: 9/10 **WINNER**
2. The Trial of the Chicago 7: 8/10
3. Sound of Metal: 7/10
4. Promising Young Woman: 6/10
5. Nomadland: 5/10
Hope:
1. The Trial of the Chicago 7: 9/10 **WINNER**
2. Promising Young Woman: 9/10
3. The Father: 8/10
4. Sound of Metal: 7/10
5. Nomadland: 6/10