The documentary film "You Can See Everything" has grossed $45 million in two weeks, earning critical acclaim and sparking Oscar discussion. Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, the film examines Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos. Its commercial success and unconventional format place it in a unique position: eligible for multiple Oscars but potentially resisted by the documentary branch.
A24 distributes the film, which is campaigning for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Documentary. If Amanda Seyfried receives a nomination for portraying Holmes in recreations, it would mark a first for the supporting category in a documentary. The film challenges the definition of documentary, facing resistance from a branch with a history of disqualifying unconventional works.
While the branch has expanded membership to be more international and younger, critics argue it maintains a bias against commercial successes featuring celebrities or well-known filmmakers. Despite this, the overall academy has honored box office hits like "March of the Penguins" and "Free Solo." Whether "You Can See Everything" breaks through remains a test for the documentary branch's priorities versus commercial viability.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing