AFTERTHOUGHTS
ON THE ACADEMY AWARDS 2008
by Charles Zio
To begin, the set was a winner . Bathed in a cool (color-wise and temperament-wise) blue, with sparkling gem-like hangings arched on either side and overhead, the stage floor decorated with curved white lines, and the orchestra situated behind, the audience bordered on the very edge of the thrust stage creating a sense of intimacy and neighborliness so that it was a surprise when shots appeared of the large, balconied interior. Emphasizing the familiarity (and sense of “family”) was the dais located front and center in a smallish round stage area. Then, too (how apt), there was often the backdrop of a blue screen with floating, moving stars. By the way, for those who care, most everybody looked fine or better than fine while some appeared fit but older (there’s only so much the plastic surgeons can do, even for the willing).
The host this year was Hugh Jackman and he acquitted himself admirably from the start (way to go Wolverine) with a humorous medley of songs referencing the picture nominees (a la Billy Crystal) with a dig at the non-inclusion of “The Dark Knight” (a matter of opinion whether it deserved to be among the select). A nod to Anne Hathaway who Hugh scooped from the audience (literally) to join him in the “Frost/Nixon” spoof. The lady has a great voice. Who knew?
The first award was for Best Supporting Actress with the format altered. The tradition of the previous year’s winner, in the comparable category, of the opposite sex presenting the award was dropped and the nominees announced by a quintet of former winners. A welcome asset of this new procedure (clips of acceptances added nothing) was its recognition of Hollywood talent and history. In this instance, to name two, remember Eva Marie Saint? Angelica Huston? On the other hand, the speeches made by each past winner to each nominee, though obviously touching to many and a consolation prize of sorts to the losers, sometimes bordered on gushing. The winner was pronounced by last year’s winner from “Michael Clayton” Tilda Swinton (who combed her hair this year) to Penélope Cruz for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.” This category was pretty much a toss up so anyone who won was, and was not, expected but deserving.
Hugh returned to inform us that the process of filmmaking was going to be presented, starting with Writing. Enter Tina Fey and Steve Martin with a truly intelligent, clever, and funny routine on the craft. Original Screenplay went to Dustin Lance Black for “Milk” who gave an emotional and sincere acceptance. Adapted Screenplay went to Simon Beaufoy for “Slumdog Millionaire,” the first hint of that movie’s juggernaut to come.
Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black came in for the animation awards. They were pleasant, not hilarious, but Black got off a neat quip about Pixar usually beating Dreamworks. They introduced a new clipfest, a “yearbook” of features in a particular genre from the preceding year. This grouping was cute at most. So who won for best Animated Feature? Yeah, Black had it right - Pixar for the deserved “WALL-E.” Animated Short went to “Le Maison en Petits Cubes.”
The next phase of filmmaking was Production, as in design, hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Daniel Craig, both crisp and professional. Art Direction went to “Benjamin Button,” fair enough and a change from the former, seemingly automatic, win for anything with a Masterpiece Theater setting. But hold on. Voting reverts to form with Costume Design going to “The Dutchess.” Makeup, a no-brainer, with “Benjamin Button.”
In an attempt to appeal to a younger audience, one assumes, in strolls Robert Pattinson, still barely awake as he was in “Twilight,” and Amanda Seyfried, bright and pretty (but can she act?) from “Mamma Mia” to introduce the Romance 2008 Yearbook.
Next in the film process is cinematography with Natalie Portman and Ben Stiller doing a dandy Joaquin Phoenix complete with disheveled hair and beard, and he never dropped character, wandering around, staring, as Portman announced the nominees. Winner, and the tide flows, “Slumdog Millionaire.”
Nice work by David Fincher on “Benjamin Button,” Ron Howard on “Frost/Niixon,” Gus Van Sant on “Milk,” Stephen Daldry on “The Reader,” but the kudos go to DANNY BOYLE for “Slumdog Millionaire.”
James Franco and Seth Rogen sat through the Comedy 2008 Yearbook which got lamer the longer it went on and then were joined by Academy winner (for “Saving Private Ryan”) Janusz Kaminski and the three presented Live Animated Short to the serious “Toyland.”
From some things there is no escape, even in a revamped, scaled down Oscar show, thus, a big production number. Jackman, hailing the return of the movie musical (hopefully not a kiss of death) and suitably attired, commences “Top Hat” (a 30’s reference to our 09 financial situation?) joined by lines of chorus boys and girls, a sequined-in-red Beyonce, barely glimpsed sweethearts Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens from “High School Musical,” and two others even less glimpsed and therefore unnamed from “Mamma Mia.” As staged by Baz Luhrmann, it’s fairly painless.
Onto Supporting Actor and catch this lineup: Christopher Walken, Cuba Gooding, Jr. (kidding Robert Downey, Jr.), Joel Gray, Kevin Kline (citing Heath with dignity), and Alan Arkin, most recent winner of the bunch (last year’s Javier Bardem a no-show), presenting to this year’s absolute sure thing, Heath Ledger for his stunning Joker in “The Dark Knight.” Standing ovation, and a moving tribute from his father, mother, and sister with many dampened eyes in the audience. A fitting tribute.
Documentary, following another Yearbook 2008, was presented by Bill Maher (not as funny as would have been expected) to “Man On Wire” and one of those unanticipated moments that make a show worth viewing. The focus of the movie, Philippe Petit, a performer who years ago walked a wire between the World Trade Centers (as depicted in the film), came on stage and made a coin disappear and then balanced the statue of Oscar on his chin. A delight. Oh yeah, Documentary Short to “Smile Pinki.”
Final filmmaking step was Post Production, with yet another Yearbook, this of Action 2008. Will Smith then entered to award for effects, editing, and mixing. Visual Effects to “Benjamin Button” (a remarkable job), Sound Editing to “The Dark Knight” (loud seems to win), Sound Mixing and Film Editing to the tidal wave “Slumdog Millionaire” (it figures).
Eddie Murphy comes on to announce the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. How appropriate he may be as the presenter, he gives a respectful introduction to the long efforts for muscular dystrophy by Mr. Jerry Lewis. Let’s give the man credit, Lewis, a bit stooped but looking youthful for his years, delivers a humble, dignified, short acceptance speech. Classy.
Zac Efron (recovered from all the previous production number dancing?) and Alicia Keyes listen to the orchestra play a medley of nominees (an unmemorable blur) and award Original Score to “Slumdog Millionaire” (the streak continues). Fortunately, there’s only three songs in contention because we get a (mercifully) brief rendition of them with the winner being “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire.” What has happened to this category? Wasn’t there a time that the Best Song entered the American musical lexicon? Yes, long ago. Now, the nominees are forgettable even as they are being performed.
Best Foreign Film is presented by Frieda Pinto (the grown up female star of “Slumdog”) and Liam Neeson to “Departures” from Japan. It’s a safe bet nobody picked this as the contest was considered to be between France and Israel. If you did guess it, you probably should have entered that office pool.
“In Memoriam” is a standard feature of each Academy Awards broadcast and a bit change was put in place here. The screen images and names of the deceased remained, but, instead of quiet background music, Queen Latifah sang a soft and tender version of “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Except the camera should have been fully on the screen and the honorees, not on Latifah with the screen off to the side. Take note for next year but do it again.
Sid Ganis, the president of Academy, opted not to give the yearly pep talk or, as he is retiring, a valedictory statement. On both counts, thank you.
Director was presented by Reese Witherspoon and, no suspense, it went to Danny Boyle, for “Slumdog Millionaire.” Who could argue?
To Best Actress and what a grouping: Sophia Loren, Shirley Maclaine (rightfully adlibbed Hathaway can sing) Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, and presenting the award, Marion Cotillard (last year’s winner for “La Vie En Rose”), to the respected and expected Kate Winslet for “The Reader.” A fun moment, when she asked her father to whistle so she could find him in the auditorium.
Best Actor quintet: Robert De Niro (how often does he ever appear at award ceremonies?), Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins (of all presenters, the one with the most arm flails), Adrien Brody (hair not washed?), and Michael Douglas (last year’s Daniel Day-Lewis absent) who presented the statue to Sean Penn for “Milk.” His main contender was sentimental favorite Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler” and Mr. Penn graciously acknowledged the loser. He also delivered a funny opening line by addressing the audience as “You Commie, homo-loving, sons of guns.”
At last, and completely anti-climatic, but satisfying nonetheless, Steven Spielberg opened the envelope to reveal “Slumdog Millionaire” as Best Picture. The stage filled with everyone on hand connected with the movie, including the beaming youngest child stars. Happiness abounded. (An interesting fact - though the film won eight awards, it failed to win a single one in the acting categories. Has any other film won five or more awards without recognition in at least one acting category? Something to look up. Or we can wait for the “Jeopardy” question.)
The very end was another clipfest, over the show’s endless credits, of trailers from a few movies coming in 2009. Somehow it seemed logical. For once, when the Academy Awards Show wins it’s inevitable yearly Emmy, it will, finally, be deserved .