The Oscar broadcast on Feb. 26 was great. Until it wasn’t.
I started out the night with the red carpet show saying, “This is the most well produced live event I have seen in awhile.” That attitude continued far throughout the show, until it didn’t. I don’t even think I need to explain, but for those people who didn’t see it, I quickly review.
Hollywood legends Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were up at the mic.
Not to interject, but when will the producers learn that you just can’t put those type of people up there for that award. Just because somebody is a Hollywood legend doesn’t mean they are up to the job. Those need to be the absolute best at presenting, not the people who deserve it because of their past. They need to place those people on best animated short film, not the award that the country was up waiting for until 12:30 a.m.
Sorry, back to the story. Beatty looks confused at the card after he opens it. Dunaway, thinking it was a joke for the crowd, proceeds to announce that “La La Land” is the winner. Wrong. “Moonlight” had actually taken home the award but found out only after a producer came on and briskly shuffled some cards around.
Whose fault was it really? I guess the public will never truly know – only the people on the inside. It was a huge mistake and the most talked about thing of the night for sure, but I want to focus on the other things that got pushed aside but still deserve some recognition.
I am going to have to start with the fashion of the night. One of my favorite dresses was not one that graced the red carpet but one that 16-year-old Auli’i Cravalho wore during her beautiful performance of “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana”. Watch out for her.
While she did get hit in the head with a flag, it didn’t take away from the exquisite red dress she wore. It was just conservative enough but also had a touch of maturity that really sold her performance. While it was simple and not as extravagant as some of the others, it was just perfect for her and the occasion.
To balance out Cravalho’s elegance was Halle Berry. While Berry’s dress was liked by some, I believe that it’s never good if I don’t know what she was going for. People should always be able to tell what someone is going for.
When I saw it on stage I didn’t think it was an absolute disaster, but when I initially saw it on the red carpet I was unimpressed. It was just a mess of fabric on top of what had potential for a beautiful dress. The pink base had promise but was covered by a mishmosh of black fabric with no real direction to it. It was confusing and, to be honest, a little cheap looking. It wasn’t a terrible gown, but it just wasn’t Oscarworthy.
I think I fell in love on Sunday night. I have not seen “Hacksaw Ridge”, but when I saw Andrew Garfield, the star of the film, on the red carpet, I immediately became his biggest fan.
Every time the movie was up for something, it was my new frontrunner. Garfield is just such a classy guy. His tux was altered just right to compliment him, and in his red carpet interview, he used a grace and charm with his words that deserved an award of its own.
In my last article, I focused mainly on the host, Jimmy Kimmel. Let me say a sure two thumbs up for Kimmel. He poked fun but only at those who could handle it.
Matt Damon is the best sport ever, and all of the bits about him were laugh-out-loud funny. From referring to “The Wall” to trying to play him off every time Damon talked, it was just the right amount and a nice thread that kep the audience engaged.
To be honest, though, Gary was the real star of the show. One of, if not the best, bits of the show was when Kimmel brought in a group of tourist and surprised them by placing them facing the front row of celebs.
The guy that really stole the show was Gary, who was newly engaged to his fiance. He went and kissed all the women’s hands and took selfies with all. They could not have asked for a better person to be on that tour bus. Also, Ellen if you are reading this (which you probably aren’t) put Gary on your show ASAP!
There were no bad speeches, but some were just really good. First of all, I want to take a minute to feel bad for the guy was dedicating the award to his dead wife as the producer pushed him off stage. It seemed unnecessary.
Time for my favorite speech of the night. At the Golden Globes, I instantly fell in love with Benj Pasek. His speech then was dedicated to “musical theater nerds everywhere,” and that’s when I knew he was someone I wanted to be my best friend.
He then put the icing on the cake at the Oscars when he said, “I want to thank my mom who [is] amazing and who is my date tonight. She let me quit the JCC soccer league to be in a school musical. This is dedicated to all the kids who sing in the rain and all the moms who let them.” I am pretty sure I stood up and started clapping right then and there.
I don’t find it productive to talk about most of the actual awards given out because that’s all a matter of opinion. I think that is what makes it so exciting but also so frustrating as it is all in the hands of anonymous eyes and faceless names.
Even though there was a flub here and there in the Oscars, this year it will not stop the momentum to put on an even better show next year. The Academy Awards are known for their class and prestige, and one huge mess-up cannot overpower the legacy it has and will continue to leave.
