Fixing the Oscars won’t change the world. But it’s a start

THE ACADEMY AWARDS USED TO SERVE A FAIRLY simple purpose. They were Hollywood’s way of patting itself on the back, of acknowledging the best the industry had to offer. It Happened One Night, The Best Years of Our Lives, Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather: these were all great movies that Hollywood was proud of, and audiences loved them too. A Best Picture Oscar only validated their good taste.

But today audiences want a different kind of validation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the rise of streaming platforms that sharpens that appetite also makes its fulfillment less likely: having more movies, and more choices, means more favorites. Consensus seems hopeless. A few a hit movie that seeks pity for a violent, white male character who’s been failed by society, leads with 11 nominations.