So although these two have been talked about in Oscar circles ever since their tentative 2004 release dates, I think most of us thought Oscar prospects for both were diminished after their move into 2005. Seemed like Miramax had seen both, realized they had another Shipping News, and pushed them back to make room for The Aviator.

Well, they're both nearing their release dates (next Friday for An Unfinished Life, a week later for Proof), and it appears...

They're both really good?

Word isn't in yet from all the critics, but I just listened to Ebert & Roeper (download their Podcast for their full show), and they gave two big thumbs up to both, specifically citing Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman in UL and Gwyneth Paltrow in Proof. Roeper said she's better in here than she was in Shakespeare in Love. Both also commended Jennifer Lopez.

Proof is also getting some great reviews, as posted by Oscarwatch.

We'll have to see how each fares with the critics, but I think each is in contention, at least for some acting nominations.

I think Proof can get more nominations here than An Unfinished Life since the play is much more well-known and got a couple of awards. It could get Actress and Adapted Screenplay and if it fares better, more.

Are they gonna be released through no-Weinstein Miramax?

Im not sure about Proof, but Unfinished Life is getting some pretty bad reviews. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unfinis ... /?show=all

"A film is in some kind of trouble when, despite presence of an A-list cast and well-regarded director, the best thing in it is a partly digitized bear."

"The film never realizes its dramatic potential, choosing to take predictable story paths with obvious characters."

Theres one positive

"Oscar worthy performance from Redford"

Proof is actually getting good reviews so far

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/proof/?show=all

"An elegant, intelligent drama of a breed increasingly rare in mainstream American movies."

"It explores issues of love, trust and family wonderfully through the inner life and ironic wit of Paltrow's character."

Go Proof! I would love to see Gwenyth Paltrow in the oscar hunt this year.

Proof doesn't seem to bet getting good enough reviews for anything other than Paltrow, so yeah, that in itself would be a surprise and could happen though it's a little shaky right now. Depends on critics awards/box office.


An Unfinished Life is pretty much out of the question since, thought it's not getting horrible reviews, they aren't good either. It's nice to see Jennifer doing some "real" acting again though.

Jennifer Lopez, a good actress???

...again!?!?!?

YAY SELENA HAS RETURNED..viva MEXICO

The audience I saw AN UNFINISHED LIFE with loved it! It definitely has Oscar potential. I think critics will enjoy it as well.

I think Paltrow is Proof's only Oscar chance.

As for An Unfinished Life, it sounds like a dud. Freeman played a similar role in M$B and Redford will have too much competition in the always-crowded actor category.

I also watched Ebert and Roeper and was really excited to learn that these great movies are coming out so soon!

I think there are some Oscar prospects there but they may be releasing these a bit too early... They waited for the last quarter of the year, but why the very beginning of the quarter. They'll be out of theatres and not on DVD by the time Oscar talk starts up and it will kill their buzz.

Neither is really high profile either, so the only thing I can see from these two is a nod for Paltrow and possibly one for Freeman/Redford. I'd say Redford, but it looks like he's a lead and would have been a great choice for a supporting nod!

Jake Gyllenhal is in 3 major Oscar releases this year!

UNFINISHED LIFE is dead in the water.

Miramax is embarrassed to release the damn thing, although it apparently may have some crowd-pleasing elements....not that anyone's gonna see it anyway.

Gwyneth Paltrow will be nominated for sure..

An Unfinished Life will be this year's The Shipping News..

Hmmm, you know what? It might happen after all.

Despite early bad reviews An Unfinished life seems to have evened out with critics (67% at Rotten Tomatoes). Come to think of it, wasn't early bad word to be expected? It is jennifer lopez after all.

Proof is doing even better with a 100% score at Rotten Tomatoes (though only 5 reviews) and might be this year's Finding Neverland.

Gwenyth Paltrow and Robert Redford will have the best chances probably.

Not for Unfinished Life. Its getting panned over at rt, and the trailer looked horrendous. Ugh. Everything Lopez touches turnes to saccharine hell lately. I miss the Out of Sight and Cell days. She's dragging down my Robbie with her.

Robert Redford got major raves from Ebert and Roeper though. He is still a contender, although the best actor race may get too crowded in the end for him to crack the top 5.

"...And, for the first time in years, Jennifer Lopez throws off the superstar cloak and gets back to basics. This is the best performance she has given since The Cell, and it recalls her early career, before she became a paparazzi darling."
James Berardinelli

Of course the review says even greater things about Redford.

An Unfinished Life Reviews so far:

Positive:
James Berardinelli
Ebert
Roeper
Premiere Magazine

Mixed:
Hollywood Reporter
Variety

Oh goodie. Go Robbie. He's still one of my absolute favorite guys out there. Whenever I'm in Boulder, I always go get pizza and beers at The Sink...where he used to the janitor before his career took off.