Someone sent me a request on X well asked me this question, to be precise about the movies and Oscar history. It has never happened before, so I was quite flattered my film reviews on Poopsnoop have put me in a category worthy of being asked the question about films in general.
The question was an interesting one about a fantastic film I really love As Good As It Gets, 1997. I haven’t reviewed it but it is a brilliant picture. At the 70th Academy Awards 1998 both leading actors, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt scoped the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress.
The questioner asked me if this was the last time this had happened for a single picture to win both leading actor awards. I didn’t know the answer so I did a bit of research.
The answer is yes, As Good As It Gets, was the last time a single film won both Best Actor (Jack Nicholson) and best actress (Helen Hunt) Oscars. The film was the 7th in Oscar history to achieve this feat, marking a significant achievement in Oscar awards history.
It made we want to delve deeper into the films that had also achieved this.
It Happened One Night 1934 starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert directed by Frank Capra. I haven’t seen this film but it’s now on my list to watch. Described as a ground breaking screwball comedy picture and setting the standard for the genre.
One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest, 1975 is a firm favourite. A film I’ll never forget seeing for the first time. Brilliant. The winners were Jack Nicholson and Louis Fletcher. Like It happened One Night it became the second film in history to sweep the Big Five categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Actor, Actress and Best Adapted Screen Play, nominated for nine awards in total.
Network 1976, another movie I haven’t seen or Coming Home 1978, not much of a movie buff I hadn’t even heard of this one. Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway won for Network. Jon Voight and the magnificent Jane Fonda I discovered for Coming Home which also scooped Best Original Screenplay so may be one to look out for too although this one like Deer Hunter, Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning Vietnam and Born on the 4th of July that followed, all largely released in the 1970’s and 80’s is about the Vietnam war, not a subject matter I get especially excited about, very violent and quite disturbing.
On Golden Pond everyone will agree is a fantastic film I haven’t seen for years, Henry Fonda in his last role opposite the brilliant Katharine Hepburn. It’s one for everyone to watch tackling themes of aging, morality, the complexities of enduring long term marriage as an elderly couple navigate the challenges of memory loss and fractured family so many endure. A very moving heart felt and funny film you won’t necessarily watch over and over but once seen would never forget.
And then the last film to scoop the “Big Five” most prestigious academy awards. The Silence of The Lambs starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.
This is a film I absolutely love and quote in every day life “are you a size fourteen?” “she puts the lotion in the basket” “I’m having a friend for dinner” although that may be the sequel Hannibal also a magnificent chilling and stylish must watch film.
And every time I hear the Tom Petty American Girl and Savage Republic Real Men all I think about is Silence of The Lambs. Canadian Composer, conductor and orchestrator noted for his film scores (Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies) was the person responsible for this notable soundtrack album which I also love and I’d really recommend having a listen the whole way through.
It’s amazing to discover 3 films making history I haven’t seen. On a final note I did just watch a brilliant film black and white, 1952 drama film Something to Live For, directed by George Stevens, staring Joan Fontaine (Hitchcock’s Rebecca 1940) as Jenny Carey, Ray Milland (Billy Wilders Lost Weekend) as Alan Miller, and Teresa Wright as Edna Miller. The film focuses on a Broadway actress and a married adman, both battling alcoholism, who develop a complex bond and tells their story in a realistic and brutal way exposing the power of addiction, connection and infidelity in all it’s forms. Fantastic lesser known title for Black and White movie lovers, again another one I’d never seen or heard of before. I plan to do a full review on Something to Live For. I didn’t think I’d be crazy about it and then it got me and pulled me in the way only the best films can.