Despite a splashy, acclaimed debut at this year’s Sundance, Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” feels like it has rocketed in acclaim as more eyes have discovered it in theaters. What many expected to be a fun summer indie comedy has revealed itself to many as a complex, ingenious, and endlessly quotable portrait of modern relationships. With this boom in visibility and love, many have reassessed their awards prospects beyond the Best Adapted Screenplay slot, which some have held onto since January. If A24 can maintain this buzz through the end of the year to make it a Best Picture contender, is it a conversation worth having on its own? Perhaps the more interesting question is how the quartet at the center of the film each fares if the film does become said contender.
The film follows the meeting and intertwined conflicts that emerge when two couples, one played by Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen, and the other by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, spend an evening together at the former couple’s apartment. These four are the only actors in the film, and the entire film takes place in one location, giving ample opportunity for each actor to shine and for every piece of dirt in both relationships to bubble to the surface. When the film first emerged at Sundance, many shouted out Penélope Cruz as a potential Best Supporting Actress contender. Still, the narrative that has really emerged since the film’s wide release is how it seems everybody has a different ranking of the quartet, and nearly everyone agrees that any ranking is valid. As great as that is for discussion, a lack of consensus could mean none of the four are recognized during awards season, so the question then becomes: how will each performer shake out?
To start with, Penélope Cruz, since she seems to be the most predicted, has her likelihood mostly driven by the current state of the Best Supporting Actress category. There aren’t any contenders besides Anne Hathaway in “The Odyssey” that feel like a sure thing, making the other four slots feel pretty hectic at the moment. Between her role here and in “La Bola Negra,” it seems she will appear in the category one way or another, but based on early word from Cannes, her role here is certainly bigger. With the new Academy rules, she may get in for both, but she isn’t a sure thing for either. She’s also the only one of the four to be a previous winner, and with her popping in for something like “Parallel Mothers,” she perhaps has the most baked-in goodwill of the four. In the film itself, she is the calmest and most observant performer; she is great like the rest, but doesn’t get a clear “baity” moment the way the other three do. Her character is still great and layered; relative to the other three, it would be a little surprising for that to be the role to make it in, but perhaps the category’s weakness and love for her could result in her being a lone acting nomination.
Edward Norton is probably the second-most likely of the four, again, partially due to the nature of the Best Supporting Actor category. While this has more top-heavy contenders on paper with actors from “Digger,” “Wild Horse Nine,” and “The Odyssey” populating predictions, if some of those start to fall, Norton is quite the performer to recognize. Not only is he a singular comedic presence, but he also brings so much life and dimension to what could be a surface-level role. The monologue Norton has in the film is quite strong, and honestly, the showiest moment in the film. If anybody were to get a sole nomination of the four, he would perhaps make the most sense. With four Oscar nominations under his belt already, this won’t necessarily be a win moment for whom many may consider overdue, but could be another moment to recognize him again after three decades of great work. With his most recent nomination for “A Complete Unknown” just two years behind us, he’s certainly still a performer people feel is worth recognizing.
Despite being the director and arguably the lead of the film, Olivia Wilde hasn’t gotten much attention in predictions for Best Actress. Even among those who consider her a standout in the film, I think many just aren’t feeling the urgency to nominate her for this role. Best Actress usually requires something with a bit more pizazz or story to it, and while Wilde is quite incredible in this role, the work isn’t what often gets one nominated in a Leading category. Perhaps the film is strong enough, and her authorship is enough to get her in, but in the early days of this film, it feels unlikely for her to go past a Golden Globe Comedy nomination. With her having a role in “Behemoth!” as well, later this year, we can only hope that role is meaty enough to finally get her an Oscar nomination for what’s been a career-defining year for her.
Speaking of people who direct themselves, sadly, Seth Rogen is the least likely of the quartet to get nominated for an Oscar. Somewhat for the same reasons as Wilde, given the type of role it is, no matter how good the performance, it’s a character that rarely compels people to nominate it, outside of major Best Picture contenders. Which is unfair, as he gives what many consider his career-best work, showing a refreshing amount of vulnerability. Many may view it as an extension or continuation of the Seth Rogen schtick we’ve gotten used to over the years, and the similarities found here may be enough to lead many to discredit his work. Which is a true shame, and he would be worthy of recognition here, although with projects like “The Fabelmans,” “Steve Jobs,” and his heavily awarded “The Studio,” it’s only a matter of time till Rogen breaks through at the Oscars in some form. We can only hope Golden Globe Comedy/Musical will also give him a reprise and show of love during what may be a quiet awards season for him.
These types of ensemble films are hard to track when it comes to appropriately recognizing the cast’s work. Films like “May December” failed to have a consensus hierarchy among the three leads and henceforth got none in. With something more comfortable and likely closer to Best Picture, “The Invite” can obviously break into these categories more easily. One certainly can’t expect it to have the cast recognized in the way something like “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” was sixty years ago. Still, one can certainly hope the four get appropriate praise and their flowers throughout the rest of the year.
Have you seen “The Invite” yet? Which of its actors do you feel has the best chance to be nominated for an Oscar? Are you currently predicting it to receive any nominations? Please let us know in the comments section below and on Next Best Picture’s X account and check out Next Best Picture’s latest Oscar predictions here.
