Not much diversity was reflected in the Critics Choice Awards noms, but compared to the Golden Globes’ list, the critics deserve some applause.
Of the 11 CCA best picture noms, three have diversity: EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, RRR & WOMEN TALKING.
Eight other contenders aren’t on the diversity list: AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, BABYLON, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, ELVIS, THE FABELMANS, GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY, TÁR & TOP GUN: MAVERICK.
Of 10 directing nominees, three reflect diversity: Sarah Polley (WOMEN TALKING), Gina Prince-Bythewood (THE WOMAN KING) & the male Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli (RRR).
CCA’s seven other directing nods went to James Cameron (AVATAR 2), Damien Chazelle (BABYLON), Todd Field (TÁR), Baz Luhrmann (ELVIS), Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert (EVERYTHING), Martin McDonagh (INISHERIN) & Steven Spielberg (FABELMANS).
While neither CCA nor HFPA deserves great diversity grades, they should get credit for putting three mainstream movies on their best picture lists — AVATAR 2, GLASS ONION & MAVERICK. Both groups are sending Oscar voters a valuable signal that it’s time to start recognizing Hollywood’s best broad audience appeal movies.
Viewers will root for these big films as they watch 2023’s awards telecasts, which should boost their ratings. Smaller films — however awards-worthy they are — that viewers haven’t seen aren’t going to help keep awards shows on network TV.