High Drama…Manchester by the Sea challenges La La Land for Oscars glory

This week sees the UK-wide release of ‘Oscar 2017 Best Picture’ favourites ‘La La Land’ and ‘Manchester by the Sea’ (UK release dates – 13 January) as the countdown continues towards the 89th Academy Awards (26 February 2017).

With the 2016/17 awards season coming into full focus, all movie insiders are in-agreement that La La Land and Manchester by the Sea will be shortlisted in the ‘Oscar 2017 Best Picture Category’.

Since early Oscar 2017 markets were published, Damien Chazelle’s romantic musical comedy/drama La La Land has maintained its position as market favourite (currently priced 1.5 by the majority of UK bookmakers).

Nevertheless, La La Land’s predicted road to US cinema glory has been met by a new contender in Amazon funded drama Manchester by the Sea (priced 5/1). Since its late November US release Kenneth Lonergan ‘devastating family drama’ has been gaining significant critical backing to be crowned the Academy’s’ Best Picture.

Since its US release, La La Land has been described by movie insiders as a ‘love letter’ to vintage Hollywood productions, which may carry favour with Academy voting members. However, the small budget Manchester by the Sea may prove to be yet another Academy Awards upset, following last year’s Best Picture win for Tom McCarthy’s ‘Spotlight’.

The Oscars 2017, may yet have a further Best Picture contender in Barry Jenkins hard hitting ‘child-to-adulthood’ drama ‘Moonlight’ (priced 7/1). Out of nowhere, this small independent production has received high critical acclaim outmuscling heavily backed 2017 Oscars 2017 contenders.

‘Manchester by the Sea’ trailer 

Moonlight’ – trailer

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