Oscar 2006: A Final Analysis
Published March 07, 2006
The 78th Annual Academy Awards have been complete for just over 24 hours by now, but the effects of Sunday's events have and will continue to resonate in my mind for a long time. All the hype, all the spectacle, all the predictions. They were all completely obliterated as the winners were announced one by one, eventually drawing closure to one of the most surprising years in film with the most surprising Oscars in recent history.
Leading into the ceremonies all of the talk was centered around one film: Brokeback Mountain. And rightfully so, as Brokeback was arguably one of the most controversial and emotional stories that Hollywood has produced in a long time. The performances within the film were all deserving of an Oscar and the film had served as Ang Lee's great memoriam to love. In short, Brokeback Mountain seemed to have things well in hand, and was primed to take home a lot of little golden statues.
This unfortunately, was a concept that seemed to be lost on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. While Brokeback came away from the night winning 3 awards (Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Score) it failed to bring home any of the most expected wins. Heath Ledger was denied the Best Actor win, and rightfully so, by the amazing performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. Jake Gyllenhaal, who was an underdog in the Best Supporting Actor category, could not overtake George Clooney's performance in Syrianna. And last but not least the absolute most jaw-dropping surprise of the night was the moment when Crash snuck away with the Best Picture Oscar.
Overall I felt that this year's Oscar Ceremony displayed, in its entirety, a very independent and irreverent spirit. The Academy did not follow suit to what the critics had been saying all year, and I believe the best performances were truly recognized. Brokeback was an amazing film in so many respects, but Crash truly was the best film of the year. Likewise was the fact for the acting categories. Reese Witherspoon's performance in Walk the Line was electrifying and an absolute beauty to behold. Her on-screen chemistry with Joaquin Phoenix was sincere and endearing, and her singing voice was a welcome surprise as she nailed the very unique style of June Carter. And while her co-star Phoenix did not win for his portrayal of Johnny Cash, the award did find its way into the hands of the most astounding embodiment of any character that I have ever seen, that in the performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote. While some people will always write Hoffman off as a quirky and slightly unoriginal talent, I believe he is by far the most versatile man on screen today. All in all, the awards were very much a true reflection of Hollywood's best of the year, rather than a bunch of films whose bark was mightier than their bite.
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- Oscar 2006: A Final Analysis
- Published: March 07, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Video
- Writer: Film School Rejects
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Comments on this articleComments
good, thorough write-up, but subjectively I reply to a few items:
"Brokeback failed to bring home any of the most expected wins."
I'm not clear what you mean. Director and adaptation were their most expected wins. They pretty much cleaned up in these categories at almost every other critic/award show. Plus, if Jake was an underdog than how could he be one of the most expected?
What does 'most deserved" even mean? I think the people who put together Wallace & Gromit worked much harder than Reese did.
I disagree about the funniest joke. The one about seeing that mane celebrities without having to attend a Democratic findraiser was funnier.
Also, why are so may people surprised about Crash? Maybe it's because I live in LA, but there had been minor rumblings about Crash for a couple of weeks now. Any of the other three winning, sure. But people act like Crash was a write-in. The country would have been less surprised if Nader had won in '04.
"FINALLY WE HAVE BLACK PEEP IN THE HOUSE !!!"
Sure the academy has been woefully misrepresentative, but are Denzel, Morgan and Halley not black peeps?
"I'm not clear what you mean. Director and adaptation were their most expected wins. They pretty much cleaned up in these categories at almost every other critic/award show. Plus, if Jake was an underdog than how could he be one of the most expected?"
I was really referring to Heath Ledger's nomination and the Best Picture category. I probably should have clarified.
"What does 'most deserved" even mean? I think the people who put together Wallace & Gromit worked much harder than Reese did."
Most deserved was my own interpretation of who most deserved to win in their respective category. I agree that the folks who made Wallace and Gromitt worked extremely hard, but I thought Reese Witherspoon's performance was far and away the best by any actress of the year.
As for the "FINALLY WE HAVE BLACK PEEP IN THE HOUSE !!!" comment, I am not sure what you are referring to either... What about Jamie Foxx? Or is it just the fact that this is the first time a rap song has won an Oscar... That is, if you discount the 2002 win of Eminem with "Lose Yourself" from 8 Mile. But that doesn't count, because he is white... In the end I am not sure what you are referring to, but I will say that the song was very deserving.
Thanks for the comments, btw...
#3
Neil
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I DID MENTION EMINEM , YOU SHOULD READ IT BACK , AND I WAS REFFERING TO A RAP GROUP , YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT AND YOUR IGNORANCE IS TALKING.GO BACK TO THE STREET DO YOUR HOMEWORKS AND HOLLA BACK AT ME .
YA HEARD !
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/44596)
FINALLY WE HAVE BLACK PEEP IN THE HOUSE !!! I AM SO HAPPY THAT 3 6 MAFIA WON AN OSCAR ,, DANM THE MOVIE WAS SO GOOD , WHAT MAKES YOU LIKE THE SONG AND WHAT MADE THE JUDGES LOVE THE SONG IS THAT WE ALL LIVE THE STEP OF THE MUSIC MAKING INDUSTRY , AFTER HAVING DJAY & CREW WORKING ON THAT JOINT. we feel them and we fall in love with the song. not because of the song but because of the work behind it.The other movies did not show the making of the song , it was only background music.Every single time we show the making of the song in the movie , those movies most of the time end up winning an OSCAR , EMINEM WON AN OSCAR FOR THE 8 mile song.The song wasnt ALL THAT.( it was good ) but the making behind it its what makes it different from the other tracks!
BIG up to the 3-6-MAFIA
BIG UP TO TERRENCE HOWARD.
TERRENCE YOU ARE MY NUMBER ONE RIGHT NOW!
RESPECT !
p.s. Holla at me !