Oscar’s Wrap-Up

Sitting alone on my bed at the age of 12 or so, I remember trying to write my thanks to everyone, including the Academy, upon my victory of “Most Awesome Movie“, a category created in my honor. The category never got made, therefore, I never received my Oscar. But regardless of categories, one thing remains atop the list of ‘to look fors’ on Oscar Sunday: true thanks.

The show went on, despite the writers absence for more than 3 months during the preparation and thanks in large part to wonderful host, Jon Stewart, there were little writers jokes made. We all worried how many times writers would be brought into question, but after the initial pun about inviting them to this year’s non-existent Vanity Fair party––we had a good laugh and thankfully, moved on.

The true heart and soul (and I mean that in all honesty) of this years glitz and glamor could be seen in the subtle moments rather than the grandiose. No signs of a ‘Cuba Gooding’ from winners and (if my memory serves me right) very little political rhetoric, taking the mood from a well-dressed food fight, to that of a, well…awards show. It was a pleasure, but one could not forget the highlights.

In my mind, there seemed to be an unspoken victory already in hand for four categories: Best Picture (No Country), Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem) and Best Actress (Julie Christie), but the Academy had other plans. My ballot lie in the care of those few thousand with a say; and I couldn’t have been more pleased with their decision. Taking little-known, French actress Marion Cotillard and awarding her instead of the high-brow, altogether assuming Julie Christie was like, well, yeah––I’ll just say it––like the Giants winning the Super Bowl. Its the truth. Her honest tears and delicate thank you was a testament to her sincere love of acting and her wonderful work. If you didn’t get a chance to see the other contestants’ reaction of the announcement (especially Cate Blanchett’s), take a look; they speak volumes.

Daniel Day-Lewis is probably my favorite actor, so naturally, I was overjoyed.

Javier Bardem was thrilled to be kissing his mother in joy and one will not soon forget his special words (in Spanish) to the same woman in his life, as he concluded his speech. Real people who deserved to be very real winners; we all loved it.

The night was caught in the middle of a triple-nomination by Disney’s Enchanted, forcing three performances by the cast’s various ensembles including one very uncomfortable, very unnecessarily lonely performance by Amy Adams––the film’s main star. It felt as if we were watching a home school talent show. No…bad? Just…painful. All props to Amy who did the best she could, nevertheless, dreadfully alone. Leaving room for another wonderful nominee…

Not to be held from the spotlight (and in mine for the past 3 months) is the little film that could, Once. Of all of the big number songs performed last night, the best by far was the simple duet about two singers trying to find their ways back home, to love. Again, if you haven’t heard it, its linked on various part of this blog, and if you haven’t seen the movie, buy it. If you haven’t got the time to watch, you can always listen here. I’m not going to lie to you, when the “Best Original Song” category came on screen, I was on the edge of my seat. I never get into the Oscars. Let me rephrase that, I’ve never gotten excited about the Oscars, and never wanted to, until I heard ‘Falling Slowly’. There is much more about the song and the movie below, but for now, its charm can be summarized by its ability to play David and take down the giants. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are amazing together, amazing in the movie and amazing on stage. Her post-win-then-brought-back testament to struggling musicians around the word made me want to pick up the guitar all over again. Glen’s guitar showed how far he’d come and their accents––a sign of the borderless tunes they sung.

The Oscars couldn’t have been written any better.