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2021 Oscar Nominees - Review

 It's time for my annual Oscar review of the nominees for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling. 


EMMA (Amazon)

Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze
(photo from Google Search)

This elegant yet witty film is gorgeous in its hair, makeup and costuming (also nominated). The makeup is clean and simple, as appropriate for the early 1800's. Mutton chops and ringlets are why this film was nominated, as they are in abundance and the delicate makeup and soft tendrils of hair on Emma exude the innocence we are supposed to believe of her character.  It's a lovely updated version, making this the twelve adaptation of the film.  Check out Vogue's article for more insight into the looks of the film. 

HILLBILLY ELEGY (NetFlix)

Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney
My favorite kind of makeup is character makeup. Character makeup is subtle but incredibly transformative. The actor under the makeup is familiar but perhaps you can't quite put your finger on who it is because the makeup just transforms them enough to look different.

(photo from Netflix.com)

This is exactly what Krueger, Mungle and Dehaney did with this film. Being a 90's child, the looks in the flashbacks brought back memories of growing up grunge. It's often said that hair and makeup compliments costuming but I feel like this is the opposite. The costuming compliments the hair and makeup. Take one away and it's out of place. I encourage you to check this film out, as the story itself is dynamic and just modern enough to really make you think about your own past.

MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM (NetFlix)

Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson
A powerful commentary on inequality that still resonates today, the visual recreating of 1927 hair and makeup are highly effective in their storytelling.  Viola Davis's recreation of Ma included gold teeth, greasy looking skin and a padded out undergarment.  The 1920's makeup isn't pristine or flawless, but gritty and purposely struggling to stay in place in the melting summer heat.  The men's hair has such distinct side-parts one would only think of that time period for them. This movie combines my love of theatre (though admittedly I've never seen the play) and 1920's (my favorite decade), making it entertaining story wise and through its production value.
(photo from Netflix.com)


MANK (NetFlix)

Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff
While the production design, costuming, hair and makeup were INCREDIBLE, I found this story slow and un-engaging. Nevertheless, the dynamic of having an end product be black and white would challenge any makeup artist. Why? There needs to be enough of a contrast of color in reality to read in the finished product, which means constantly questioning lighting and color density.   The most important part of the looks are actually the porcelain looking skin on the female characters and the continuous sweating on Mank when he's drunk/hungover.
(photos from Netflix's Twitter account)

PINOCCHIO (Amazon)

Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti
If this film doesn't convince you that practical effects are SO MUCH BETTER than CGI, I don't know what will. Not a single visual effect was used on these fantastical characters, with Mark having designed prosthetic looks for 25 characters and every "human" had a wig, half wig, or toupe from the hair department. What makes this Oscar worthy is that the HMU team helps remind you that the story shows children have wild imaginations and ultimately the love of a father is what turns a wooden puppet into a boy. Check out their interview with Awards Daily it's enlightening and fun.
(photo from IMATS IG page)


 

Prediction: Pinocchio wins but Hillbilly Elegy has a potential to rise up and take the award.



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