Last year delivered some truly spectacular short films, so much so, the genre ended up becoming a highlight of the Oscars for many. Among these standout entries, many thought one Pedro and Pedro movie was snubbed. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke, the film was called Strange Way of Life.
This film, which was Almodóvar’s homage to Brokeback Mountain, seemed set to make waves. However, it missed out on an Oscar nod, and critics pointed to its pacing as a likely reason for the snub. Despite the buzz and anticipation, it appears that Strange Way of Life didn’t quite hit the mark with the Academy. Here is why!
Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke’s Queer Western Romance Movie Flew Under the Radar
Pedro Pascal seems to sprinkle a bit of gold wherever he goes, both critically and at the box office. So, when people heard about Strange Way of Life, starring Pascal and Ethan Hawke as a lawman and a cowboy reuniting 25 years after a steamy affair, everyone was buzzing.
The short is written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar, the Spanish maestro behind hits like The Skin I Live In and All About My Mother. As per IndieWire two decades ago, Almodóvar turned down directing Brokeback Mountain because he didn’t think he’d get the creative freedom he craved. Thus, Strange Way of Life was his chance to show what he really envisioned. This film was his chance to make his mark.
Given the star-studded cast and Almodóvar’s impressive track record, fans were sure that Strange Way of Life was destined to make waves. Yet, it’s a real head-scratcher and a bit of a letdown that, despite all this buzz and brilliance, the film didn’t even get a nod from the Oscars. It seems the Academy missed out on recognizing a potentially game-changing piece of cinema.
Why Strange Way of Life Fell Short of Impressing the Academy
There were plenty of eye-roll-worthy reasons why the Academy might have given Strange Way of Life the cold shoulder. The Almodóvar film starts off with potential, diving into a juicy moral dilemma, but just when things start to heat up and the characters are about to spill their feelings and spark some hope, it ends with a thud. The pacing was most certainly odd.
Bland characters and a not-so-clear and strong narrative didn’t do the 30-minute short any favors either. The film had all the makings of a bold statement, but instead, it fizzled out pretty quickly, leaving audiences wanting for more, and not in a good way.
Here is what Reddit has to say about the movie,
Fans are crossing their fingers for more from this dynamic trio, hoping for a future project that extends beyond the 30-minute mark and delivers a richer, more engaging story. They’re hoping to see Pedro Almodóvar, Pedro Pascal, and Ethan Hawke team up again, but this time with a story that truly unleashes their full potential together.
Strange Way of Life is available to stream on Netflix.
