Martin Scorsese lives and breathes New York City. So we know it must mean a lot to him to get the Best Picture honor from The New York Film Critics.
But let's be real, during the Awards season -- everyone is just trying to figure out who is going to take home the gold statues at the Oscars. And no one wants that Best Picture Oscar more than Netflix; they've been gunning for it for years and had their best shot with 2018's Roma. (That film took home several key awards, including Best Director and Best Foreign Film.)
With The Irishman taking home top prize from The New York Film Critics Circle, what does that mean for its Academy Award chances?
First, let's look at the other winners.
New York Film Critics Circle Winners:
Best Picture:
The Irishman
Best Director:
Benny and Josh Safdie, Uncut Gems
Best Actor:
Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory
Best Actress:
Lupita Nyong'o, Us
Best Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Supporting Actor: Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern, Marriage Story and Little Women
Best Animated Film: I Lost My Body
Best Cinematography:
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Best First Film: Atlantics
Best Foreign Language Film:
Parasite
Best Nonfiction Film: Honeyland
Special Award 1: Indie Collect
Special Award 2: Randy Newman
The Irishman's Best Picture Chances
Let's be clear, it will be an insane upset if The Irishman is not nominated for Best Picture.
With the Academy allowing for ten nominees for the 2020 ceremony, and Martin Scorsese being a favorite among Academy members, it would be a huge surprise for it not to at least score a nod and be among those ten potential nominees.
Aside from that, the generally favorable reviews and thus award from critics says that people are taking Netflix seriously. But this year, the playing field is more crowded than usual, thanks to 2019's blessing of great films. Competition is fierce every year, sure, but especially this year. Nominees are announced on January 13 -- so, right now, all we have are the Vegas odds.
The Gold Derby is paying 2:1 if you bet on The Irishman. It currently has the best odds inside the Best Picture race.
As far as directing Oscars go, if Scorsese won, he would be the oldest filmmaker to ever take home the award. Clint Eastwood was the last septuagenarian to win and he did so for Million Dollar Baby.
Right now, Gold Derby also has Scorsese's odds at 2:1. Not bad.
What do you think is currently the frontrunner for the big awards? Let us know in the comments!
