I watched Nixon again tonight, for no particular reason – what an amazing freaking cast, and what an utter disregard for nuance. Seriously, I think there’s a strong possibility that it is the least subtle film ever made; certainly it’s the least subtle film that had people associated with it nominated for major awards (there are plenty of crappy movies that are less subtle).
Are there other possibilities, or can we just give the trophy to Nixon without further discussion?
Pleasantville (also staring Joan Allen) makes no pretense toward subtlety.
Stranger
Showgirls!
I’ll see your Academy Award nominations and raise you with Academy Award wins for Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
I’d argue that Spielberg topped himself with Schindler’s List.
Are you talking about that Frank Langela film? It was impressive but I found the real Nixon even better.
Least subtle film to me is Machete.
No, the Oliver Stone film with Anthony Hopkins in the title role.
Spielberg couldn’t afford subtlety when he made that movie. He needed to get the message out. The audience needed to learn that the Nazis were bad and the Holocaust was wrong.
Both unsubtle and historic Birth of a Nation.
Anal Harlots 5
Which is surprising, because the first four were so nuanced.
What is the least bit subtle about Nazis putting bullets into the heads of Jews? If anything, the film wasnt as brutal as the reality and in fact his use of black and white was indeed subtle.
Ummmm . . . Crash was itself nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
I think I win the Thread- not a very satisfying victory though since it was such an easy victory.
Porn. All of them
Peter Jackson wouldn’t know subtle if it hit him like a tossed dwarf. I mean, he’s capable of great cinema, but subtle storytelling, well…
I haven’t seen it, but I’m going to go ahead and throw in the recent Atlas Shrugged movie anyway. I have a hunch.
Tommy. Ken Russell hit every single point with a sledgehammer and an utter lack of humor, turning the meaning up to 11 long before Spinal Tap. It’s bombastic as hell, and hilariously awful.
I thought the original Red Dawn was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, with its realization – however convoluted – of jingoist ideas and sayings. The one that made me actually laugh was when an invading soldier actually does Pry a Gun from a gun owner’s Cold Dead Hand.
I second Crash. I lost the automatic respect I had for Best Picture winners after that year.