25 Years After 'Saving Private Ryan' Upset, Gwyneth Paltrow Calls Oscars a 'Monetization Tool'

The war epic lost, but the business of Hollywood won. Gwyneth Paltrow is finally addressing the infamous 1999 Oscar upset where 'Shakespeare in Love' triumphed over 'Saving Private Ryan'.

The Arbitrary Nature of Awards

At the 71st Academy Awards, the rom-com produced by Harvey Weinstein stunned the world by taking home 7 Oscars, including Best Picture. Speaking on 'The Awardist' podcast, Paltrow reflected on the discourse, noting that art is ultimately subjective. She pointed to the 'La La Land' and 'Moonlight' mix-up as proof that at the end of the day, any film in the conversation could take the win.

"Awards are designed to acknowledge achievements, but they're also a monetization tool for a broader industry," Paltrow stated. Her frank admission sheds light on the 'awards industrial complex'—a system where prestige translates directly into market viability for the cinema business model.

A New Chapter with 'Marty Supreme'

Paltrow is currently back in the awards conversation with Josh Safdie's upcoming film, 'Marty Supreme'. Produced by A24, the film features her alongside Timothée Chalamet. She plays Kay Stone, a fading movie star who connects with a young ping-pong phenom, marking a high-profile return to the screen that could see her at the center of the next awards season.