Oscar Watch: 'PJ 20' enters a crowded doc race

Posted Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 4:51 PM Central

by John Couture

When you think of the Oscars, you usually think of the big categories such as Best Picture or Best Actor or Actress. In fact, the Oscars telecast is set up in such a way that the telecast builds to a crescendo by placing all of the "important" awards at the end.

Very few people not named Morgan Spurlock or Michael Moore usually give the Best Documentary Feature category much thought before it comes time to fill out their Oscars pool ballot. And then, they usually select the latest film from one of the above directors or something that they may have heard of in passing.

I'm here to tell you that this will all change this year.

As Tim alluded to in his piece earlier this month, there have already been several high profile documentaries released earlier this year and there are many more on tap to be released before the end of the year. One such film debuted last night in a one-night only (sort of) event that was as much a rock star experience as its subject matter.

The film is Pearl Jam Twenty and while I must disclose that I'm a rabid fan of the pioneering grunge band from Seattle, this documentary transcends the band and actually makes for compelling film making. It also helps that PJ20 writer and director Cameron Crowe is a huge fan of the band and his labor of love may just complete for him a rare triple nomination as a director.

If Crowe's We Bought a Zoo performs as expected (and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't), it's entirely possible that Cameron Crowe could have a film nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Documentary. I'm pretty sure that no director has ever had two separate films nominated for Best Picture and Best Documentary in the same year, so the triple feat would be huge.

Back to the documentaries, this year looks to be packed with many worthy contenders, but (unfair or not) it seems that the films that are finally selected for nominations tend to be ones that are most popular. When you throw in Crowe's clout, it would seem that PJ20 is a virtual lock for a nomination (if it qualifies).

But is it truly worthy? Again, I'm biased, but I think even if I'm being completely impartial, PJ20 not only deserves a nomination, but may end up being a leading contender for the golden statuette. My wife, who is not a Pearl Jam fan at all and whom I dragged to a 9:30 screening last night while being 7 and a half months pregnant, was also sold on the documentary's worth and she's a tough sell.

For those of you who haven't followed the band religiously over the course of their first two decades of existence, the story of Pearl Jam is one that is filled with as many laughs as tears. The band formed from the ashes of Mother Love Bone, a band that was on the verge of breaking out until their lead singer Andy Wood died of a drug overdose.

This band defining tragedy would echo again a decade later when 9 concert goers died during a Pearl Jam performance at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark. While Roskilde shook the band to its core and made them question their ability to continue performing together, eventually they did pick up their instruments and some would say that their second decade was better musically than their first.

Along the way, Pearl Jam did more than simply play music. In word, they helped to revolutionize the music industry and they continue to lead by example today. They fought TicketMaster, turned their backs to MTV and did the unthinkable, sold bootlegs from their live shows long before it became fashionable to do so.

PJ20 does more than simply tell the story of a rock band, Crowe's guiding hand gives the audience a slice of Americana that today's bands don't even come close to reaching. Is the film perfect? No. How can you adequately shrink two decades of a prolific band into two hours?

Like one of Pearl Jam's ever-changing setlists, Cameron Crowe sprinkles in a few hits and a couple of obscure tunes all the while making sure that you're tapping your toe throughout. PJ20 is currently playing in limited theatrical release and will premiere on DVD on October 25.

Watch the full episode. See more American Masters.