And the ASSU Exec goes to…
Art mirrors life; of this I am sure. (Why else would the little girl on the floor of this painting look exactly like four-year-old me?) The latest iteration of this uncanny reflection, however, rests in the similarities between the slates contending for ASSU Exec and the candidates for the Best Picture Oscar. It stands to reason that the winner of the coveted Academy Award tomorrow night will predict which slate will take office next year.
Right out of the gate, this hopeful was a serious contender. Early support and an air of inevitability helped secure this fashionable vehicle a spot on the ballot and a strong place in voter’s minds. The fear that there may be more flash than substance here is not unwarranted — but no one would call a win undeserved. All in all, a solid, if conventional, choice.
Peacock/Bakke: The Hurt Locker
As the first serious competition to emerge for the otherwise obvious choice, this contestant feels more grounded and deliberate than its counterpart. The two initial front-runners appeal to entirely different audiences, near-perfect foils: Iraq to Pandora, a Humvee to the pterodactyl-like Ikran. Which one will edge out the other depends entirely on whether mature voters can be persuaded to show up and vote according to their tastes.
Cardona/Wharton: The Blind Side
A late publicity push made this solid entrant a leading candidate. The broad appeal of this contestant rests largely in its leading lady — she has done significant work previously, though nothing before now had broken out of a certain niche or gained widespread attention. The most generally likable of any choice, this candidate promises to give its more accomplished competitors a run for their money.
Reach for the skies! Fun, quirky, and surprisingly substantive, this entrant purposefully calls into question what it is that voters want in their winner. Though at first it seemed this contestant had its head in the (rain-free, balloon-filled) clouds, it now appears that this ticket will serve to keep the others honest. This team brings a serious message along with a refreshing light-heartedness that elevates the debate above petty politics.
Kemper/Meisel: Inglourious Basterds
In-your-face and devil-may-care, this unusual entrant may get votes from die-hard fans but won’t get many from anyone else. Polished acting does appear from time to time, but the main offering of this contestant is escape from reality. Though it may flirt with serious issues, it illustrates them with more artifice than art. A fun one to watch, but not one to vote for.
…what’s this one about? When those two brothers get together, I’m never sure if it’s serious or funny.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the Academy Awards tomorrow night — the future of the ASSU depends upon it.
Thanks to Otis Reid for all the actual reporting.
Love it. Brilliant, brilliant comparisons.