Academy's Most Controversial: 10 Oscar Winners That Divided Critics
The Oscars might be Hollywood's biggest party, but they're not without their fair share of drama.
1. "Crash" (2004)
When it comes to stirring up a controversy, "Crash" drove straight into it with the force of a runaway eighteen-wheeler. The film, an ensemble drama interweaving various racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, was quite polarizing. While it boasts a decent 74% Rotten Tomatoes rating, its Best Picture win over "Brokeback Mountain" caused quite the hubbub.
Critics were torn; some praised its unflinching examination of societal issues, while others argued it was manipulative and heavy-handed. As for audiences, well, the box office numbers were solid, grossing $98.4 million worldwide against a $6.5 million budget, suggesting moviegoers were, at the very least, intrigued.
Fun fact: Director Paul Haggis wrote the screenplay based on his personal experiences and a real-life carjacking incident.
2. "The English Patient" (1996)
"The English Patient" was one of those films critics can't seem to agree on. On one hand, the sweeping romantic epic won 9 Oscars, including Best Picture. On the other, it's been criticized as a snooze-fest. Set during World War II, the story revolves around a critically burned man, his tormented love affair, and the nurse caring for him.
While it grossed a whopping $232 million worldwide, its slow pacing and 162-minute runtime had some critics and viewers checking their watches. The film currently holds an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, but its divisiveness is best encapsulated by an entire "Seinfeld" episode dedicated to Elaine's hatred for the film.
3. "Shakespeare in Love" (1998)
"Shakespeare in Love," or as some like to call it, "the movie that stole 'Saving Private Ryan's' Oscar," is a romantic comedy-drama portraying a fictional love affair involving William Shakespeare. Critics were split right down the middle. Some enjoyed its light-hearted take on the Bard, while others felt it was a frothy and unworthy contender for the prestigious Best Picture award.
Nevertheless, the film was a commercial success, grossing $289.3 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. Its Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 92%, but it's still often cited as one of the most controversial Best Picture winners.
4. "The King's Speech" (2010)
On the surface, "The King's Speech" seems like typical Oscar bait: a British period drama featuring royalty, superb performances, and an inspiring story of overcoming a stammer. It ticks all the boxes. Critics agreed, awarding it a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, but its Best Picture win was divisive.
Why, you ask? Its competition was "The Social Network," a modern, stylistically innovative film about the creation of Facebook, which many felt was more deserving. Box office-wise, "The King's Speech" laughed all the way to the bank, with a worldwide gross of $484 million against a budget of $15 million. Still, the controversy remains: a feel-good, historical drama triumphing over a hard-hitting contemporary story.
5. "Green Book" (2018)
Despite its Best Picture win, "Green Book" took more hits than a punching bag at a boxing gym. The film, based on a true story, focuses on the friendship between an African American pianist and his Italian American driver during a concert tour in the racially charged American South in the 1960s.
While it holds a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film was criticized for its simplistic approach to racial issues and the controversy over its factual accuracy. Despite the backlash, "Green Book" was a box office success, grossing over $321 million worldwide against a budget of just $23 million.
6. "Birdman" (2014)
"Birdman" tells the story of a washed-up actor, played by Michael Keaton, desperate to reclaim his past glory with a Broadway play. Alejandro González Iñárritu's filmmaking spectacle swooped in and won the Best Picture, but it wasn't without a flutter of controversy.
Critics either saw it as a stunning piece of cinematic brilliance or a self-indulgent slog. It sports a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet some thought other nominees such as "Boyhood" or "The Grand Budapest Hotel" were more deserving. Despite the divided opinions, "Birdman" achieved a reasonable box office success, grossing over $103 million worldwide.
7. "Ordinary People" (1980)
The 1980s kicked off with a bang when "Ordinary People," Robert Redford's directorial debut, clinched the Best Picture win. The film, which explores the breakdown of an affluent family after the death of one son and the attempted suicide of the other, was a critical darling with a 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, its win over Martin Scorsese 's "Raging Bull" caused a stir among critics who deemed the latter a superior cinematic feat. "Ordinary People," while respected for its dramatic weight, was criticized for playing it safe compared to Scorsese's raw and edgy boxing biopic.
8. "Chariots of Fire" (1981)
Remember "Chariots of Fire"? No? Well, the Academy sure does, as it beat out "Raiders of the Lost Ark" for the Best Picture win in 1981. The film tells the story of two British athletes, one a devout Christian and the other a Jewish student at Cambridge, competing in the 1924 Olympics.
Despite its memorable Vangelis score (and parodies galore of the slow-motion beach running scene), many critics felt the film was a little too... well, slow. And not just because of the running scenes. Even though it boasts an 83% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the film's win over Spielberg's beloved adventure flick still baffles many.
9. "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952)
Step right up and behold one of the most disputed Best Picture winners in Oscar history, "The Greatest Show on Earth." This cinematic spectacle from director Cecil B. DeMille focuses on the lives and loves of circus performers.
While it was a box office hit and stands with a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, critics widely consider it one of the weakest Best Picture winners. Many felt it won more for its grandiose spectacle than its storytelling and believe that other nominees like "High Noon" or "The Quiet Man" were snubbed. The film is remembered for its dramatic train wreck scene, which was later reused in several other films to save on production costs.
10. "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989)
The film, which tells the story of the relationship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur, won the Best Picture Oscar in 1989. Despite its good intentions and solid performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, the film's approach to race relations was deemed simplistic and dated by some critics. Its victory over much grittier films like "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Do the Right Thing" (which wasn't even nominated!) sparked a heated debate.
The film holds a 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and made a pretty penny at the box office, raking in over $145 million worldwide.