The Oscars: 2003

The 75th Academy Awards came while the country was in the midst of war, which led some to suggest that it should not be held at all. I think this was a silly and misguided idea. Life does go on in wartime, and even those overseas try to amuse themselves when they get a chance. I think they hope that their family, friends, and fellow Americans (and Brits, and ...) would do likewise. There is a further reason for the show to go on, related to part of the reason why we are fighting this war:

Or as Nicole Kidman said in her emotionally fulled acceptance speech, after being torn on whether to show up to the ceremony at all, we are here because "art is important." And it is ... the movies are entertainment, but they (especially those that wins Academy Awards) are more than that. They are way to express all of human life and existence on the screen, seeking to excite us, make us laugh, make us cry, think, and feel wonder. A basic expression of our freedom, taken in stride, but all the more remarkable for it. So, okay, tone down the ceremony (no red carpets, Joan Rivers is forced to do her bit inside -- let's make that an annual event!) a bit, but yes, it was totally appropriate to still show it. Live goes on in wartime, also does, and that includes watching rich celebrities at an award show. And for those who forgot what was happening, a few news briefs during the ceremony helped to remind us what was also going on as the show went on.

As a lover of the cinema, I have always enjoyed the Oscars to some degree. The show started off nicely with a flow of images of past classics in a reel crystal like in nature. The host was Steve Allen, who did an excellent job a couple years ago as a late replacement, and hopefully will return next year. I enjoyed his monologue, though it went on a bit too long, and he was good throughout. The show itself was handled well, did not feel too long, and had a few nice touches to honor the anniversary. Peter O'Toole was eloquent in accepting the honorary award, and it is good that he decided to come after all (the fact he didn't win a real award thus far is amazing). The one misstep was a tedious segment where fifty nine past winners came out, and their names were read out. The fact this occurred at around the three hour mark was particularly ill timed. Also, some of those in the reel that honored those who died in 2002 were rather obscure (producers and the like), at least in the eyes of the unschooled.

There were not that many highlights, but a few notable moments are worthy of comment. Adrien Brody, a surprise winner for Best Actor, was clearly had the best acceptance speech ... and longest. After kissing a surprised Hallie Berry on the lips, he went into a disjointed riff of sorts on how off kilter he felt. And he rambled on some more ... cutting off the "get off the stage" music to note that his role (Jew trying to survive in wartime Poland) made him recognize how minorities of all sorts are hated. No matter who you pray to, he hoped for peace. He also gave a shout out to a friend currently in the field. It was a remarkable performance. If such an award was offerred, he might have won "Best Actor in an Academy Awards Show." He even brought his mother as a guest!

Of course, presenters and winners are a key part of the enjoyment of watching awards shows, especially when they go off script. Susan Sarandon, a presenter (and major peace activist) made a restrained but powerful mention to how those presenting were told to stick to the script (being actors, why do they have to read from teleprompters? can't they remember the few insipid lines?) ... it was left to the winners to speak off the cuff. On the other hand, the presenter of those who sung the nominated song from "Frida," did make an eloquent statement in support of peace. The winner for Documentary Feature, Michael Moore, was the designated heel of the night with some crass (if largely true) statement about our "false president" bringing us into war. I don't care for the guy at all, including his biased and even factually untrue 'documentaries,' and it is too bad he got some face time. On the other hand, boors are part of any movement, and have some role to play, right?

A few people did stay away, though none that most would miss. For instance, Eminem, of all people, won for "Best Song" and he himself wasn't there to perform it. [Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah, both nominees for roles, performed the song in "Chicago" that was nominated ... that surely was not a usual occurrence.] The winner for "Best Foreign Film" also wasn't available ... another nominee made it clear that he wasn't there to dissent; don't know if the "Nowhere in Africa" director did the same thing. Of course, Roman Polanski was not present to pick up his award. The duo who won for "Makeup" (from "Frida") were present, and had a nice back and forth delivery of their acceptance speech.

"Chicago" won its share of awards, no surprise there, including Catherine Zeta-Jones (Diane Lane got many raves for her performance, but that was early in the year and probably should have won ... but it's "Chicago" time now). The only win for the good, but in my opinion not Academy Award good, film "The Hours" was Chris Cooper, and he was my favorite for Best Supporting Actor (the first award given, not the traditional Best Supporting Actress/young thing Award). "Gangs of New York" got no awards (praised/criticized as a flawed film, so except perhaps for Daniel Day Lewis, perhaps it didn't deserve any). "Lord of the Rings" received the expected technical awards (such awards deserve our respect ... movies without technical wizardry like sound, visual effects, and the like are filmed plays), while "Frida" won two awards (Makeup and Score). "Talk to Her," the critically praised Spanish film, was something of a surprise screenplay win ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding" was the sentimental choice ... its star presented the "Makeup" award). And, of course, "Spirited Away" won for Animated Film, a category padded to five (if not, why was "Treasure Planet" nominated?).

The true surprise was the number of awards "The Pianist" won. Adrien Brody beat out some tough competition (e.g. Michael Caine in "The Quiet American," which some felt deserved more credit). It also won for adapted screenplay (my favorite was "About A Boy," but then I didn't see "The Pianist," a film critics had mixed feelings about). The biggest surprise was Roman Polanski winning for "Best Director," over the director of "Chicago" ... it surely surprised me, and not just because of his controversial past (remarkably, the person he was guilty of statutory raping made it known that she didn't want the long ago events to cloud the Academy's judgment! her letter only highlighted the complexity of the case), but because other films were more popular. On the other hand, there is a sentimental feeling for Holocaust dramas (also, the winner for cinematography recently died, and the "Documentary Short" was in honor of 9/11). Some also probably felt a message, one I agree with, was sent that the art, not the man, was being judged here.

The award for "Best Picture" was announced right before midnight by Kurt and Michael Douglas, but the director milked his moment for a few minutes ... so the show did not end at a nice round time of three and half hours. Still, a good show overall ... enjoyable, some surprises, and notable moments. One doesn't expect much more than that.