The Academy Awards have been a tradition of Hollywood that is quickly approaching a centennial. While it has been a trademark of cinematic quality along with artistic and technical merit for a great many years, a few decades ago it began to morph. It has now become a magnificent benevolent force of karmic and political influence as well as a harbinger of quality. Political issues of race, religion, sexual orientation and other varied topics have been given their spotlight moment in the world of Hollywood every year without fail. Al Gore was even given the opportunity to further his own political agenda with the "green" 79th Academy Awards.
While this has angered some, for the most part it has met with passive indifference by most of the world who live a million miles away (in every metaphoric sense possible) from that world of cinema; with the last few years having left most in a disappointing middle-ground between anger and confusion, I was concerned that this year the Academy might actually begin the end of their reign as judges of success in Film. I was genuinely afraid that I was witnessing the end of something I had come to love dearly.
Nominations were as typical as they had been in recent years and I was frankly expecting to be horribly disappointed. Then I spied the Best Picture category. It was longer than usual, double the usual length in fact, and included, at the very top of the list, Avatar.*
At this moment I realized that this year's Oscars had a villain, an antagonist. His name was James Cameron.
Putting aside for the moment that I am no fan of James Cameron, you must examine the evidence:
This man directed and wrote a film that while popular and fun to look at, was almost universally acknowledged by critics to be a fairly mediocre film. In fact, the elements of the film conducted by James Cameron were the least admirable aspects of the film. If James Cameron were to win there would be such an outcry from critics and film enthusiasts that the Academy would not be able to live it down and we would more than likely witness the final days of the respectability of the Academy.
Luckily we were saved by a greater political endeavour: a woman, an ex-wife of Cameron's, directed a war film with, as far as I can tell, no true political agenda. I desire nothing more than to shake that woman's hand. Good thing she won!
Kathryn Bigelow showed a gracious and humble win that exemplified the dignity that is always in style. I commend her genuinely for her win and look forward to more of her work.
On the whole, the Oscars went old-school this year. The set was simplistic and classy, the wardrobe was mostly classic and not embarrassing, there was even a musical number performed by Neil Patrick Harris. On the whole the evening was as classic as I have seen the Oscars in many a year.
My favourite change this year was instead of showcasing the Best Song category through an elaborate set of performances (or a single fiasco medley as with the 81st Awards), they instead produced a dance production accompanied by the Best Score nominees. While the street dancing was sometimes awkward and out of joint with the music, there were certain numbers that worked wonderfully and the overall effect was beautiful.
While not usually enthusiastic about Steve Martin or Alec Baldwin, I do believe they genuinely improved their collective talent by having Martin return to his stand-up roots and playing up Baldwin's off-kilter humour. I was extremely impressed. The announcers for the awards were all very good in fact, with the exception of Kristin Stewart and Taylor Lautner. It was not my dislike of their acting that I resented in this particular case, it was two other things: first, that they hardly represent the Horror genre they were introducing a montage to and second, that they were incapable of taking cues and reading prompters. No big deal, a minor hiccup in the end.
My single genuine surprise for the evening: Sandra Bullock's win for Best Actress. It is not because I think she gave a lesser performance, but it was strictly uncharacteristic of the Academy to deny actresses such as Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and especially to deny newcomers who make such a stir as Gabourey Sidibe of Precious based on the novel Push by Sapphire. I believe that Sandra Bullock has really shown her stars this year and she certainly deserved her win. Her acceptance speech was full of heart and beautifully spoken.
The same goes for Jeff Bridges who spoke with all his soul yesterday. It was a night full of class and heart.
All in all I think the Oscars pulled out of what has been an awkward rut of predictability and mediocrity. The night was wonderful and the Awards well deserved.
Congratulations everyone!
* For a more detailed explanation of my opinions on Avatar I recommend you scroll down to my review of that film. I do not think I ought to re-hash t here.
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