The Oscars shone bright this year, highlighting Sean Baker's Anora with wins for Best Picture and Director. Mikey Madison surprised everyone by clinching Best Actress. Hosts engage in hilarious commentary on Conan O'Brien’s hosting antics and the often lengthy acceptance speeches. They dive into memorable nods, including Lil Crawley's cinematography and Daniel Bloomberg's score. The mix of laughter and reflections spotlights the night's triumphs and missteps, offering a lively retrospective on the awards season.
Anora's sweeping success at the Oscars highlights a significant shift towards recognizing diverse narratives and independent cinema within the Academy.
The contrasting acceptance speeches revealed varying degrees of engagement, with some delivering poignant messages while others overshadowed important themes with lengthy deliveries.
Deep dives
Anora's Historic Wins
Anora emerged as the standout film at this year's Oscars, winning five awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing, all going to Sean Baker, along with Best Actress for Mikey Madison. The film's success marked a significant achievement for independent cinema, especially given its unconventional subject matter dealing with sex work. Baker, a veteran filmmaker making his mark after 25 years of work, received accolades not just for the film's artistic merit, but for the independent spirit it represented at such a glamorous ceremony. This accomplishment reflects a shifting recognition within the Academy towards diverse narratives and effective storytelling, highlighting Anora's connection to contemporary social issues and audiences' increasing support for such films.
Memorable Acceptance Speeches
The night featured a mix of notable and lengthy acceptance speeches, particularly from Adrian Brody, who gave an extensive address that many considered self-indulgent. While he attempted to address important themes related to the film and current societal issues, his long-winded delivery overshadowed the message, leaving many viewers longing for a more concise tribute. In contrast, winners such as Kieran Culkin delivered engaging speeches that not only captured the audience but also showcased their personalities, enhancing the celebratory aspect of the awards. Zoe Saldana's win for Best Supporting Actress was met with enthusiasm, and her polished speech highlighted the recognition of her talent despite the mixed reviews of the film.
The Night's Musical Highlights
Musical performances were a significant highlight of the Oscars, featuring a nostalgic blend of numbers from various cinematic gems, including a show-stopping opener with Arianna Grande and Cynthia Erivo. This creative approach aimed to connect different interpretations of classic stories but sparked varying reactions regarding its execution and relevance. Notable performances involved tributes to the James Bond series, showcasing a mix of contemporary artists like Doja Cat, while the orchestral presence added a layer of elegance to the telecast. Overall, the musical segments provided entertainment and diversion from the sometimes lengthy award presentations, illustrating a commitment to keeping the show's energy lively.
This year's Oscars was a big night forSean Baker's Anora, including wins for best picture and director. The film's star Mikey Madison scored one of the night's few upsets, winning best actress. Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña also took home acting wins. We also recap the hilarious bits from host Conan O'Brien, the long and discursive speeches, and show stopping musical numbers.
