Pinocchio - 2 nominations

 

Best Achievement in Costume Design Massimo Cantini Parrini

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling Mark Coulier  Dalia Colli  Francesco Pegoretti

Ok, this Italian language film is the exact story you know about Pinocchio.  A poor woodcarver makes a puppet when was he wants more than anything is a son.  What do you know, it was a magical piece of wood and the puppet comes to life.  But this puppet is easily led astray and ends up on many wild adventures on his way to finding Geppeto (played by Roberto Benigni), his father.  Actually, this film reminded me how extraordinarily complicated the story actually is with the caring and wise Jiminy Cricket, the caring blue fairy, the evil fox and cat... by my count there are at least 5 or 6 separate lands and adventures that Pinocchio travels, each time led astray by good intentions but no savvy.  

Interestingly, the central thing I always remember about Pinocchio (and even reflected in the poster) is that when he lies, his nose grows.  Because of this iconic element, I seemed to recall Pinocchio as a habitual liar, and that the purpose of the tale being to teach us that lying is bad.  But if you watch this film, the lying thing is just a quirk and only even happens once in the movie.  The morality tale of Pinocchio turns out to be much deeper than just honesty is the best policy.

I didn't love the film and don't recommend that you go out of your way to see it.  BUT, the costumes and makeup and hairstyling were absolutely spectacular.  I'd call them both shockingly good.  Every now and then in both of these categories, there is a small, totally random film that finds itself with Oscars nominations because of the quality of the craftsmanship.  This year, that film is Pinocchio.

Watch the trailer here.