People are saying “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” is the first fantasy film to win best picture. Yes, but:
–In the first place, it’s a stretch to call the story a fantasy. Sure, there’s lots of imaginary beings and the whole quest thing going on. But I think Tolkien really invented his world not to spin stories about elves and wizards and talking trees, but to create a setting against which he could explore some basic themes about mythology and events in the real world.
–In the second place, a short list of Best Picture winners that could also be considered fantasy — if you buy one dictionary definition of the word as “literary or dramatic fiction marked by highly fanciful or supernatural elements”: “Chicago” (2002), “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), “Titanic” (1997), “Forrest Gump” (1994), “Amadeus” (1984), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “My Fair Lady” (1963), “Tom Jones” (1963).
"You want it to be one way. But it's the other way."