The 92^nd Annual Academy Awards

Oscars stuck with the “no host” format in order to be less political.  Nonetheless, this year was probably the most political ever.  When Ricky Gervais hosted the Golden Globes last month, he warned the nominees to keep it brief because no one cares what they think, they’re just a bunch of privileged actors.  No one heeded his advice last night.  In truth, the entertainment industry has a tremendous influence on our social climate, political and otherwise.  The content they choose to provide has a direct impact on people’s awareness, acceptance and understanding of those they perceive as different.  Last night history was made at the Oscars.  Parasite became the first film to win Best Picture that was not an English Language film.  In fact, this film was written and produced in South Korean with a Korean cast and crew.  This was in no way whatsoever a Hollywood film.  So what’s the message here?  What does this mean?  I think it means that more and more we are not only living in a global economy, but a global community.  The more we learn about people in other countries through films like the Best Documentary, “Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (If You’re a Girl)” or the Best International Picture (a re-named Best Foreign Language Film category) and Best Picture, “Parasite,” the more we can come together as one people.

Unity and commonality and acceptance were the messages last night in the acceptance speeches last night from many winners especially Best Actors Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt (supporting) and Renee Zellweger.  Both used there extended time last night to seize a moment when people were listening.  Both spoke in their own sensitive and impassioned way about unity….lifting each other up through compassion, empathy, awareness and acceptance.  There was a message last night that even though we seem to live in a political climate that is more divisive than it’s ever been, we must step back and realize we all share this beautiful planet together – people, all races, genders, religions, ethnicities, plants and animals – and when we learn through cinema, we gain awareness and empathy.   So I say, “you’re wrong, Ricky Gervais,” people do care about what the entertainment industry has to say, whether they know it or not.

Everything else that happened during the show either pushed that theme forward – like the opening musical number, and the performance by Idina Menzel and company singing the song from Frozen 2 – or were purely entertaining, like the humorous presentation from Steve Martin and Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, the “Cats”, and Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves.

I could say a whole lot more but I’m attempting to keep it brief this year.  I’ve been writing this commentary for twenty years now, maybe longer.  Perhaps I’m getting tired.  Or perhaps it’s the lack of sleep I’ve had for the last few days as I’m writing from Florida having spent the weekend with family celebrating my Mom’s 80^th birthday.  Inspired by this occasion, I must share with my readers that my love of the Academy Awards is a gift that was given to me by my mother when I was a child.  My mother always had a love for movies and would take me to the movies because it was cheaper than a babysitter.  She also treated Oscar night like an annual holiday.  My mother, from the time she was sixteen years old, decided she should dress up to watch the Academy Awards on T.V.  When I was a little girl, the Oscars were on Monday night at 10:00 p.m. EST and I wanted to stay up and watch and get dressed up with her.  For years, I got dressed up to watch them on television – even through college when my friends were baffled by this behavior.  I dressed up every year until the 68^th Annual Academy Awards where I got to attend and walk the red carpet.  For the years that followed, I mostly wear plain clothes and sometimes don my souvenir Oscar hat or sweatshirt.  Nonetheless, that doesn’t stop me from having an opinion about every gown or tuxedo or anything in between.

The trends on the red carpet this year were shades of pink and black and white.  Sparkle and bling have not faded.  The best in these trends were Regina King, Idina Menzel, Laura Dern, Geena Davis, Penelope Cruz, Margaret Qualley, Gal Gadot, and Renee Zellweger.  The Best of the Best were Regina King in a pale pink sparkly one shoulder Versace gown, and Geena Davis in a gorgeous plunging illusion v black ball gown with pockets – who doesn’t love pockets in a gown? 

Other stand-outs.  If you haven’t realized, I love a great gold dress - Brie Larson and Rebel Wilson because it follows my theory “if you want to win an Oscar, look like one.”  I love a gorgeous splash of Florence Pugh in peacock blue and Mindy Kaling in sunflower yellow (one of my favorite colors) who never looked better.  I think Mindy won the award for the dress I would most likely choose for myself.  I expect to see excellent knock-offs of this dress in the months to come.  Julia Louis-Dreyfus is always timeless perfection.   Natalie Portman, Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton rock my world…all for different reasons.  Natalie Portman is a petit beauty who walks tall and can carry off a whole lotta glam.  Jane Fonda because there is no one more stunningly beautiful, and elegant at every age than she is.  Also, she vowed to quit shopping and wore a gorgeous gown from her closet which of course still fits!  And Diane Keaton who, with every year that passes, I have more and more appreciation for her personal style.  There is no one else who personifies individual style more than Diane – and she’s still gorgeous and funny!

 

I saw a whole lot of great looking classic tuxedos out there.  A lot of applause for most of the men who really looked sharp, tailored, and elegant like Leo and Taika Waititi, .  For me, Brad Pitt is everything.  His winning was a pure moment of joy.  And he looked gorgeous in the shawl collared velvet tuxedo jacket, long combed back hair and a little facial scruff – imperfect in a truly perfect way.  Move over George Clooney, Brad is also sexiest man alive, and single!

My favorite couple on the red carpet was Keanu Reeves and his mother in black and white tuxedos.  Mom dates were a trend for the night – Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron also brought their beautiful mamas.

Although there was a whole lot of talent in this group, there were a lot of fashion misses.  Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph – a whole lot of funny, but to get a laugh, your dress doesn’t need to be a joke.  Cynthia Erivo – wow she is almost an EGOT – that’s a whole lotta talent.  But that was a whole lotta dress – like a space age lounge singer in sci-fi movie.  And speaking of sci-fi, Janelle Monae.  Wow.  The silver crystal long sleeve hooded gown (shockingly from my idol and former boss, Ralph Lauren) was a photo op for sure.  Maybe in 3020 that dress will be all the rage.  

Salma Hayek – all that money and access to couture doesn’t buy you someone to tell you “that dress is not right for someone with your height and figure – we can do better.”  Saoirse Ronan – yikes.  I understand that dress was sustainable.  Good.  Put it directly in the trash.  Billie Eilish – cute idea, a white Chanel boucle pants suit with a military style jacket.  But there’s oversized, and there’s you’re wearing someone else’s clothes oversized.  Too long, too wide, too Grammys.  Timothee Chalamet – don’t get mad at me girls.  I love an attempt to bring something new to men’s formalwear (like Chadwick Boseman), but a tuxedo jogging suit?  Hard pass.

My attempt to be brief is a big fail.  But the films this year were not.  2019 was a good year.  Here’s to hoping 2020 brings more inclusion, more diversity, more voice to the voiceless, and more unity.