Lisa's Oscar Commentary: The 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Lisa’s Oscar Commentary
The 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Hathaway, you’re hired! Franco, you’re fired! Oscar’s attempt to be “appealing to a younger demographic” was a success in part, and a failure in part - namely the James Franco part. Though he’s terrific when given a role to play other than himself, hosting is not his bag. Don’t expect him to land his own talk show any time soon, or ever. He looked like he got off the Hollywood Freeway at the wrong exit and was disoriented the entire night. He just looked lost and uncomfortable. He should have hosted the whole night in the Marilyn Monroe dress – it was the only time, he looked relaxed. Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, stole the night. Not only did she look magnificent in her numerous (count ‘em seven) costume changes, but if you didn’t already know Anne could sing, you do now. Her agent’s phone will be ringing off the hook today.

The three hours and fifteen minute ceremony had some memorable moments: The opening green screen clips of Hathaway and Franco, presenters Kirk Douglas, Robert Downey Jr. with Jude Law, Russell Brand with Helen Mirren, Jeff Bridges, and Billy Crystal who made us all miss Billy Crystal who along with Bob Hope still holds the crown for greatest Oscar host. And there were some well delivered performances in the In Memoriam and Best Song presentations, though Gwyneth Paltrow’s singing was wincing like the tailor left a pin in her dress and it was poking her the whole time.

There were some well-delivered acceptance speeches: Natalie Portman, Aaron Sorkin, Christian Bale, and Colin Firth. And there were also some memorable acceptance moments: Melissa Leo will make Oscar clip history with her accidental dropping of the F-bomb, Randy Newman – was this really only his second win out of twenty nominations? And a few favorite moments from some of the lesser known recipients – Robert Stromberg (Art Direction) who’s first line was “why didn’t I lose that twenty pounds?” and similarly, Luke Metheny (Live Action Short) who commented that he should have gotten a haircut (he also gave a very endearing speech), Tom Hooper (Best Director) who taught us to always listen to your mother, and David Seidler (Best Original Screenplay) who informed us that he was the oldest winner of that award and hopefully won’t hold that record too long.

All the actor awards were awarded as predicted. Inception took home a lot of technical awards, Toy Story 3 may have become the first part 3 to take home the best anything, and The King’s Speech took home the correct four awards including Best Picture.

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for….the red carpet. First, I have to give a shout out to the women that made the red carpet what it is today – Joan Rivers. Before Joan started asking “who are you wearing?” nominees and presenters actually dressed themselves and even bought their own dresses and tuxedos. Thanks to Joan, designers compete to send dresses, tuxes, and millions of dollars in jewels, and stylists put their looks together and dress them, and hair and makeup artists get paid to sit in the green room waiting to touch up their celebrities during commercials. So, thanks to Joan Rivers, the red carpet keeps getting better and this year may be one of the best.

Trends this year were red, jeweled tones, metallic, strapless, netting, less jewelry and dresses that sparkle, sparkle, sparkle.

There were many women who were best dressed nominees this year. Some of the sparklers included the age appropriate princess Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, and Mandy Moore in gold sparkles and mesh from Monique L’Huillier looking like a grown up version of Hailee, Michelle Williams in off-white, short-sleeved, not too tight sheath from Chanel, Amy Adams in a navy cap-sleeved sheath from L’Wren Scott, Hillary Swank strutted like a glorious peacock in silver sparkles and feathers from Gucci, Gwyneth Paltrow in sleek, liquid metallic Calvin Klein, and Halle Berry redeemed herself after the Golden Globes looking glorious in a Marches strapless champagne sparkles with tulle trim.

There were also many women who didn’t sparkle but still shined. Mila Kunis was a knockout in Elie Saab lavender chiffon and tulle – made you forget that Angelina wasn’t there. Natalie Portman lovely, pregnant and the only one in purple. Cate Blanchett was controversial in a very artistic and unusual Givenchy gown, but I liked it – and I want that haircut! Helen Mirren actually improves with age, looking as elegant as ever – she makes grey hair and a grey dress look red hot. Reese Witherspoon looked like Barbara Eden in that glorious blonde inside out ponytail in a black and white dress that was reminiscent of Julia Robert’s Oscar winner Valentino gown. And the runner up for Best Dressed had to be the tangerine Versace clad, newly svelte, Jennifer Hudson. How many women will be running to Weight Watchers today to sign up?

So, with all those amazing well dressed women, who was the best dressed? It’s actually a tie between Anne Hathaway, Anne Hathaway, and Anne Hathaway. Fuhgetaboutit. She wore seven dresses between the red carpet and the show, but one was more beautiful than the next. If I have to pick, I would say that the red dress from the red carpet, the white jewel encrusted dress she wore in the opening of the show, and the charcoal sparkling long sleeve sheath she wore at the end of the show were my faves.

Worst dressed nominees were hard to find, but Marissa Tomei was disappointing – that navy gown looked like she cut two dresses and sewed them together. And though I loved her haircut, her hair was too messy. Helena Bonham Carter is always on the worst dressed list – it’s unfortunate because she’s so beautiful, but I loved that she wore a dress from Costume Designer and Oscar Winner Colleen Atwood – I just wish the sleeves didn’t look like a car wash. Melissa Leo was also disappointing. She wore a mirror encrusted white Marc Bauer dress with a stand-up johnny collar, and hair that looked like her bun was falling out….just none of it was quite right, but sooo glad she won. Nicole Kidman wore white strapless Dior Couture but basically it looked like an upside down kimono – not a good look for her, but it will be memorable and some will love it – not me.

Worst Dressed was a tie this year. First, Kathryn Bigelow was so disappointing after winning last year and being the first woman to take home a Best Director Oscar and making everyone’s best dressed list – it was so sad to see her show up as a presenter in an ill-fitting baggy dress with bed-head hair. I guess in her eyes, the Oscars are only worth dressing up for if you’re nominated. The other Worst Dressed of the night was Scarlett Johansson in a magenta stretch lace Dolce & Gabanna made from her grandmother’s table cloth – terrible color for her pale skin and to top it off she got a very cute hair cut but forgot to brush it.

The men mostly looked classic and elegant in the blackest of black tuxedos and crisp white shirts. Mark Ruffalo, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Renner, Colin Firth, and Hugh Jackman all looked classic. Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin rocked their three-piece tuxes. The Best Dressed, wearing a wide lapel luxurious looking tuxedo from Tom Ford was Justin Timberlake – he personifies young Hollywood and sets the bar. But, I’ve got to criticize Justin too. Although the best prop you can bring to the Oscars is your mother, you should get her a decent dress! Shame on you Justin to show up in Tom Ford and let your mother cruise the sale rack at Macy’s.

Worst dressed guys were hard to find though there were a few that were dressed well but were not groomed well – if they’re not in the middle of shooting, the need to shave! Mark Wahlberg and Mathew McConoughy could have been best dressed, but just looked too sloppy. Robert Downey, Jr. always wears a little bit of a clown tux, and Russell Brand in a plaid shirt and perpetually bad hair were worst dressed runner-ups, but that award has to go to Christian Bale. That beard may be for a current role, if not, there’s no excuse, and when will he learn that the black on black look is out. Overall, a handsome guy trying to look ugly. But, so glad he won – he’s a brilliant actor and he deserves all the kudos.

Overall, the show was a winner. The wealth was spread around – The King’s Speech, The Social Network, The Fighter, Black Swan, Inception, Toy Story 3. Good to see a lot of happy winners. Big loser of the night was definitely James Franco. He’ll be back in school today – hopefully, he’ll stay there for a while. Anne Hathaway and her stylist, Rachel Zoe, were the big winners. Maybe next year’s hosts they’ll try mixing old Hollywood and new Hollywood – I suggest Betty White and Justin Timberlake.