Inside Awards Season with Gregory Ellwood

Is Sean Penn crashing the best actor race?

Weinstein Company picks up 'This Must Be The Place'

By Gregory Ellwood Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 7:42 PM

Sean Penn in "This Must Be The Place."

Credit: The Weinstein Company

After his public comments about the editing of "The Tree of Life," we're still unsure if Sean Penn will appear at any future SAG screening or, now, Academy member screenings of the critic's favorite, but his other film from the 2011 Cannes Film Festival has finally found a home. HitFix can confirm The Weinstein Company has picked up U.S. distribution for Paolo Sorrentino's "This Must Be The Place."

The unconventional road movie begins with our hero, former Goth rocker Cheyenne (Penn), deciding to follow his father's obsession with finding a Nazi officer who made his life hell while he was interned at the Auschwitz concentration camp. This man may still be alive somewhere and Cheyenne leaves his family to crisscross America in his hunt for the rogue SS officer. The picture, which mixes comedy and striking sentimentality, also stars Frances McDormand, Judd Hirsch and David Byrne as, um, David Byrne.

"The Place" received positive notices after its Cannes debut, but the reaction to the film was mostly all over the place (a consistent thread in most reviews). Penn received a significant amount of praise for his performance as a man stuck in the '80s (he still looks like a Robert Smith of The Cure wannabe), but according to sources there is no plan on releasing "The Place" in time for Academy qualifying. Instead, the picture, which will need a deft hand on the publicity side, will come out sometime in 2012.

That effectively eliminates two-time Oscar winner Penn from this year's race which should feature Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar"), Gary Oldman ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"), Jean Dujardin ("The Artist"), Michael Fassbender ("Shame"), Brad Pitt ("Moneyball"), Michael Shannon ("Take Shelter"), Ryan Gosling ("Drive," "The Ides of March"), Anton Yelchin ("Like Crazy") and George Clooney ("The Descendants"). Of course, Harvey Weinstein has been known to throw last minute surprises into the awards season mix. And since it's only Sept. 21, well, never say never.

For year round entertainment commentary and awards season news follow Gregory Ellwood on Twitter @HitFixGregory.

Related Searches: Oscars 2012, Academy Awards, This Must Be The Place, Sean Penn, The Weinstein Company, Awards Campaign

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Jonnybon

I can't see Leonardo DiCaprio getting nominated this year.
September 21, 2011 at 7:59PM EST Reply to Comment
- He'll be due at some point.
  September 21, 2011 at 8:14PM EST
- Jonnybon For sure, but looking at the other contenders, it looks very unlikely this year.
  September 22, 2011 at 6:22AM EST
The Other James D.

It amuses me that people are still doubting Leo. I'm not even a huge fan (I like him, but I prefer others), but it's about recognizing what the Academy goes for. And let's face it, they adore deglamming biopic portrayals of historical figures, particularly if face makeup is involved. Best Actor feels full of potential nominees, but he screams likely winner at this point. Anything could change however, but there it is. I just hope Fassbender gets the nomination, because that's probably the most I can hope for! I want JGL to get nominated for 50/50 as well, but I dunno if that's plausible. I think he's got a better shot than Yelchin though, at least :P.
September 22, 2011 at 2:55AM EST Reply to Comment
- Jonnybon I don't doubt Leo... it's just not his year.
  September 22, 2011 at 6:23AM EST
- The Other James D. Then you are doubting him, lmao. It's not even that you doubt his win; it's how you actually doubt his nomination, even though that's exactly the type of role Oscar loves?! Never underestimate the power of a biopic with the Academy.
  September 22, 2011 at 2:50PM EST
TIMC

I hope to see anton yelchin nominee this year, I saw Like Crazy and he was outstanding in his role. He has a great future.
September 22, 2011 at 7:21AM EST Reply to Comment