Reflections on the Oscars: A Night of Disappointment
Each year, the aftermath of the televised Oscars ceremony brings about a rather disheartening tradition: the film community’s collective lamentation over the plummeting viewership numbers. This year’s event, hosted by a visibly anxious Conan O’Brien, appears destined to follow suit. When O’Brien boasted of over a billion viewers tuning in globally, one could only assume he was referring to the opening moments of the three-and-a-half-hour spectacle, rather than the proceedings that followed. By the time we reached Adrien Brody’s acceptance speech for Best Actor for The Brutalist, I would wager that several zeros had been knocked off that impressive figure.
Brody’s victory was undoubtedly well-deserved; however, the speech he delivered upon receiving his award—after casually discarding his chewing gum to his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman—epitomized the issues plaguing the Oscars today. Despite a supposed time limit of 45 seconds for acceptance speeches—a guideline often disregarded in favor of lengthy thank-yous from relatively unknown winners—Brody continued to speak at length, even pleading with the orchestra to hold off on their cue to wrap him up. An initially promising point about his tumultuous career path since his first Oscar win two decades ago quickly devolved into a series of repetitions and clichés.
As Brody meandered through his speech, which felt like it lasted an eternity, we found ourselves hoping for a dramatic crescendo, only to be met with vague political musings that fizzled out without impact. Much like the rest of the ceremony, which was plagued by tiresome standing ovations for every winner, Brody’s speech turned out to be a damp squib instead of the explosive moment that viewers desperately craved.
Throughout the broadcast, which lacked the anticipated Hollywood critiques of Donald Trump’s policies, I couldn’t help but wonder: who exactly is still watching the Oscars? And why? Devoted cinephiles likely cringe at the overwhelming gushiness and lackluster musical performances, opting instead to sift through the complete list of winners after the event. Fashion enthusiasts may find delight in the pre-show red carpet antics but switch off as soon as the host steps on stage for the opening monologue.
It was evident that strict guidelines had been imposed to avoid any contentious geopolitical commentary, a rule that was only breached by the team behind No Other Land, the winner of Best Documentary, who took a jab at U.S. foreign policy. Aside from that moment, blandness reigned supreme, even when Best Supporting Actor Kieran Culkin awkwardly swore during his speech.
The evening dragged on, with O’Brien appearing increasingly desperate for laughs, and Anora‘s writer/director, Sean Baker, made his seemingly endless trips to the stage for awards. For those of us in the UK, watching in the small hours, the need for larger quantities of caffeine became apparent to endure this lackluster presentation.
It pains me to write so critically of the Oscars; after all, a diverse array of films was nominated, and the right individuals received accolades—something that cannot always be taken for granted. However, given that this is a night dedicated to celebrating the magic of cinema, it was a disappointing spectacle for those seeking genuine entertainment. Unfortunately, there was a distinct absence of the enchanting spirit that the film industry should embody.
Full List of Oscar Winners
- Best Picture – Anora
- Best Director – Sean Baker, Anora
- Best Actress – Mikey Madison, Anora
- Best Actor – Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
- Best Supporting Actress – Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
- Best Supporting Actor – Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
- Best International Feature Film – I’m Still Here
- Best Cinematography – The Brutalist
- Best Original Screenplay – Anora
- Best Adapted Screenplay – Conclave
- Best Production Design – Wicked
- Best Documentary – No Other Land
- Best Documentary Short – The Only Girl in the Orchestra
- Best Animated Feature Film – Flow
- Best Animated Short – In the Shadow of the Cypress
- Best Costume Design – Paul Tazewell, Wicked
- Best Editing – Anora
- Best Sound – Dune: Part Two
- Best Visual Effects – Dune: Part Two
- Best Makeup & Hairstyling – The Substance
- Best Original Score – The Brutalist
- Best Original Song – ‘El Mal’, Emilia Pérez
