WALK THE LINE - Musical or Drama?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:17pm

Yes, it is a drama. But the question is: is it a musical?

I'm in a debate with someone because WALK THE LINE was nominated for "Best Comedy or Musical" and not "Best Drama" at the Golden Globes.

What do you say? Musical or not?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:28pm

NOT a musical. The Globes are just stupid -- remember when THE MASK OF ZORRO was nominated for Best Musical or Comedy, when it was neither?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:43pm

But why or why not a musical?

Their reasons why it is a musical: the music drives the story, there are songs sung by the characters, etc.

My reasons why it is not: the film's storytelling is not musically driven. It's a straight film with songs input for biographical purposes. While the songs are emotionally attached to the character, they are not sung to express specific emotion for specific events relating directly to the character.

Agree? Disagree? I'm finding it hard to express my opinion.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:48pm

Don't worry, I completely understand you.

I'm more convinced by the reasons of it not being a musical. If any movie with scenes of songs performed the character were considered musicals, then you'd have things like VISION QUEST being a musical (because it features two songs performed by Madonna).

[Jon]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:30pm

For the purpose of the Golden Globes, it is a musical because it stands a better chance of winning awards in the musical/comedy category than in the drama category. Joaquim Phoenix will win because he is not up against Heath Ledger or Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He's against Nathan Lane.

Last year, James Spader and Bill Shatner won Emmys for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor In a Drama for their roles on Boston Legal. Today, it was announced that they are both up for Best Actor in a COMEDY for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Apparantly, Boston Legal has officially declred itself a comedy.

[Marquise]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:38pm

In most cases the studios will push for an actor, picture to be nominated in a specific category to broaden the chances of a win.