Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, has emerged as the clear front-runner in the Oscar race, solidifying its position with a string of recent awards. The film has garnered significant recognition, including Best Picture from the National Board of Review (NBR), the Gotham Awards, and the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC).
The NBR also honored Anderson with the Best Director award, while Leonardo DiCaprio secured Best Actor and Benicio Del Toro won Best Supporting Actor for their roles in the film. Chase Infiniti received the Breakthrough Performance award from the NBR for her role in "One Battle After Another".
"One Battle After Another" marks Anderson's second adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's work, drawing inspiration from his novel "Vineland". Unlike Anderson's previous Pynchon adaptation, "Inherent Vice," this film doesn't dwell on the aftermath of 1960s idealism. Instead, it delves into a "deeply humanist story of rebellion". The film avoids explicit political commentary while remaining relevant to contemporary issues.
The plot revolves around Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), a former radical explosives expert who goes into hiding with his daughter Willa (Chase Infiniti) in a small California town. When his past catches up to him, Bob must reunite with his old revolutionary comrades to protect Willa from a resurgent enemy. Benicio del Toro plays Sergio St. Carlos, Willa's karate sensei who also runs an underground railroad for undocumented immigrants. Sean Penn portrays the "aggressively reactionary Col Steven Lockjaw". Teyana Taylor plays Perfidia, Bob's partner and comrade. Regina Hall appears as Deandra, a longtime agitator who helps Willa and Bob.
Critics have lauded the film's direction, performances, and its ability to blend serious themes with humor and action. The movie combines elements of a caper film, a zany comedy, and a thrilling action movie with superbly managed car chases. The score by Jonny Greenwood is also a highlight, with one extended sequence being held together by Greenwood's music.
Despite the film's significant budget (estimated at $130 million), it has been praised for its experimental nature and willingness to take risks. The film has grossed $202 million at the worldwide box office.
While "One Battle After Another" has garnered considerable momentum, other films are also expected to be major contenders in the Oscar race, including Ryan Coogler's "Sinners".
