The Hurt Locker

With the Oscars airing this weekend, I figured I should probably see a few more of the nominated films that I have missed this year due to school and work taking up the majority of my time. Last night I rented The Hurt Locker which was quite good but I wouldn't vote for it as best picture. I know a lot of critics disagree with me on this and feel it should win, but it just didn't have that lasting quality that you expect of a best picture winner. I don't think it will be one of those films that you pull out of the case every few months just to watch it again. It is violent and at times depressing, and while the main actor is excellent and really draws you in, the storyline is at times confusing and disjointed. Don't get me wrong, I liked it as a one time viewing and think it is one of the better made films of 2009, but Best Picture? I don't think so. In my mind, Best Picture films are ones that will last and be relevant and watchable years after the excitement of the award has died down. Looking back on the list of winners from years past, I notice a lot of films that are still exceptional to watch today as well as a few whose glow drastically dimmed after their win. Take these timeless winners - Lawrence of Arabia,Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King, Amadeus, Schindler's List, and The Sound of Music. These selections deserved to win and have remained excellent examples of Best Picture winners over the years. Does The Hurt Locker fit with this list? I think not. If it does win, I think it will become a distant memory very quickly like past Oscar winners Kramer vs Kramer (does anyone even watch this film anymore?), The French Connection and Marty to name a few.