February 13, 2017

Purdue Theatre professor calls 2017 Oscar nominees dark films

Richard Sullivan Lee Richard Sullivan Lee Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2017 Academy Awards offer diversity in performance and some high-profile movies. A Purdue University Theatre professor believes the nominated Best Picture category is full of films from a “dark” perspective.

“The movies for 2017 are very diverse in the kind of roles for this year’s movies,” said Richard Sullivan Lee, associate theatre professor and professional actor. “Almost all are incredibly dark, just amazingly dark.”

As a voting member of the Screen Actors Guild, Lee has seen all but one of the nominated films. He missed “Hell or High Water” but has screened “Arrival,” “Fences,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Hidden Figures,” “ La La Land,” “Lion,” “Manchester by the Sea” and “Moonlight.”

Lee said dark movies get more attention from actors who nominate Oscar contenders.

“Actors somehow feel an actor playing a character with a deep emotional journey is more difficult,” he said. “But we all know comedy is hard. I think actors, when watching for these nominations, are moved by drama.”

Lee said “La La Land” will and should win Best Picture. In the top acting categories he expects Emma Stone will win for “La La Land” but wishes Natalie Portman would take home the Oscar for “Jackie.” Lee speculates Denzel Washington will win the gold statue for “Fences,” but Andrew Garfield’s performance in “Hacksaw Ridge” should warrant the trophy.

Lee is most comfortable speaking on acting but can address movies, in general, and directing. 

Writer: Howard Hewitt, 765-494-9541, hhewitt@purdue.edu 

Source: Richard Sullivan Lee, 765-494-3078, rslee@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Professor Lee is available for media interviews.

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