The 96th edition of the Academy Awards is overshadowed by controversy, not due to the cinematic quality of the nominees, but because of a serious plagiarism accusation. The film under scrutiny, The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne and written by David Hemingson, has been accused of plagiarizing the script of Frisco, written by Simon Stephenson.
Stephenson, known for his work on films like Luca and Paddington 2, has spoken out about the alleged plagiarism, claiming that the similarities between the two scripts are too evident to be mere coincidence. According to Variety, Frisco revolves around a middle-aged pediatrician forced to care for a 15-year-old patient, a plot that bears striking resemblance to The Holdovers.
The accusations have cast a shadow over the film ahead of the awards ceremony, where The Holdovers is nominated in multiple categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing. The allegations have sparked a heated debate in the industry, with Stephenson and the accused filmmakers at the center of the controversy.
As the Oscar night approaches, all eyes are on The Holdovers and the cloud of plagiarism hanging over it. The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the accusations have sparked a discussion about intellectual property rights and originality in the world of cinema. Only time will tell how this controversy will impact the fate of The Holdovers and the reputation of the filmmakers involved.
