Official Nominations: Patton. Five Easy Pieces. Joe. Love Story. My Night At Maud’s.
Patton was a deserving winner this year thought it doesn’t sit so nicely with me given that it’s a biopic – biopics to me, especially those which strive to be as close to reality as possible, never feel original. You have Patton’s entire life to pull from – his own speeches, witness testaments etc etc, so this isn’t something which was simply pulled from nowhere. Hell, it was even based on a couple of biographies. Obviously it was well written, but I don’t know if it belongs here. Carole Eastman on the other hand crafted her original Screenplay for Five Easy Pieces the more traditional way. It’s not one which is famously quotable, but I put that down to fewer people having seen it over the years. Everyone knows Love Story, but it’s really only here for a couple of soppy one-liners that don’t really make sense. My Night At Maud’s is a film all about the script and dialogue given that the action is largely replaced with text. As a foreign film it’s a strange nomination as it never stood a chance at winning and was probably seen by a small circle outside of the critics. It’s a good screenplay though but not one I would choose over some of the other films. Joe is the final nomination and it gets my win. It’s interesting because it is both dated and yet mirrors much of what is happening in North America and across the world today. Norman Wexler’s scripts were always of their time and never shied away from delving into the grittier points of subculture – the Academy would never pick it, I’m still surprised it was even nominated, but it gets my vote.
My Winner: Joe
My Nominations: Five Easy Pieces. Joe. The Aristocats. Brewster McCloud.
I add three to my list – The Aristocats probably shouldn’t be here as it’s not even that interesting a movie but it’s fairly unique for Disney. Brewster McCloud is just funny, will make you laugh guaranteed, and is a precursor to a lot of movies which would come in a few years time. Any pick is fine, but when humour works, go with humour.
My Winner: Brewster McCloud
Let us know in the comments which film gets your vote for Best Original Screenplay of 1970!
The Spac Hole 
Great post 🙂 I loved Brewster McCloud as well and I will be fascinated to see what Altman films you will nominate in the upcoming years. I personally would have chosen Brian De Palma’s anti-establishment comedy Hi, Mom! for the prize, but I am aware that you never saw it. One thing though, Bertolucci’s The Conformist is actually an adapted screenplay 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
On second thought, Hi, Mom! Probably qualifies more as an adapted screenplay since it is a sequel to Greetings (also by De Palma), but again I am aware you never saw it. Once again, keep up the great work as always 🙂
Hmm, you’re right of course, I must have pasted that into the wrong category and missed it, weird!