Oscar 2021’s top moments: History, glamour, upsets and an anticlimactic end

“Wait. What?” If that’s what you yelled on the TV throughout the remaining moments of Sunday’s Oscars, you weren’t alone. In what could have been probably the most abrupt ending since that closing shot of The Sopranos, TV audiences anticipating an emotional finale crowning the late Chadwick Boseman as greatest actor had been left to ponder an enormous upset, an absent winner, and a fast “see ya” from the Oscars.

It was another uncommon second in probably the most uncommon of all Oscar telecasts, one which defied conference in so some ways. A few of it was good: In a pandemic yr when award reveals confronted unprecedented challenges, the Oscars introduced again red-carpet glamour. And although many nominees weren’t in a position to attend in particular person, it was really heartening to see those that had been.

The nominees represented an enormous advance in variety, with extra ladies and extra actors of color nominated than ever earlier than — however one oft-predicted end result was not meant to be: a sweep of the performing classes by actors of color. Although supporting prizes went to Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) and Youn Yuh-jung (Minari), one of the best actor and actress classes went unexpectedly to Anthony Hopkins and to Frances McDormand, successful her third trophy within the class, for Nomadland.

However historical past was made nonetheless, particularly by Chloé Zhao, the China-born director of Nomadland who grew to become simply the second lady to win greatest director, and the primary lady of color.

Frances McDormand and Chloe Zhao pose within the press room on the Oscars. (AP Photograph/Chris Pizzello, Pool)

And in a yr when there was a lot ache for all, her phrases had been a balm — maybe simply what a battered world wanted. “This is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves,” she mentioned. “And to hold on to the goodness in each other.”

Some key Oscar moments:

Amid the glamour, real-world reminders

Oscars could also be about Hollywood-style escapism, however in her opening moments, Regina King stored it actual. The proficient actor and director of One Night time in Miami instantly reminded the world each of the scourge of the pandemic and the scourge of police violence. “We are mourning the loss of so many, and I have to be honest, if things had gone differently this past week in Minneapolis I may have traded in my heels for marching boots,” she mentioned, a reference to the responsible verdict in opposition to Derek Chauvin within the homicide of George Floyd. She famous that some viewers choose their Oscar ceremonies to not dwell on such issues: “I know that a lot of you people at home want to reach for your remote when you feel like Hollywood is preaching to you.” However, she added, “as a mother of a Black son I know the fear that so many live with, and no amount of fame or fortune changes that, OK?”

Emerald Fennell backstage after her unique screenplay win. (AP Photograph/Chris Pizzello)

A ‘promising’ exhibiting for girls

There was a wealth of historical past to be made this Oscar night time, and far of it got here for girls. First off was Emerald Fennell, who gained the night time’s first award — greatest unique screenplay — for the fierce and provocative revenge thriller, Promising Younger Girl, her directorial debut. The busy Fennell, who additionally discovered time for an performing position in The Crown, grew to become the primary lady in 13 years to win a screenwriting Oscar. Fennell, who's pregnant, joked that she was additionally pregnant when she shot Promising Younger Girl, and thanked her son for ready till the shoot was over to reach: “I was crossing my legs.”

A tragic tribute

One of many advantages of the telecast leaving extra time for speeches this yr — with no play-off music — was that some had been deeper and extra heartfelt. This was very true of director Thomas Vinterberg, who, in a heartbreaking second, devoted his win for One other Spherical (worldwide characteristic) to his late daughter Ida, who was speculated to be within the movie however was killed at age 19 in a automobile crash by a driver a cellular phone, 4 days into taking pictures. “Ida, this is a miracle that just happened, and you’re part of this miracle,” the director mentioned, in tears. “Maybe you’ve been pulling some strings somewhere.”

Historical past, in additional methods than one

Historical past had already made within the directing class earlier than the envelope was opened. For the primary time, two ladies had been nominated, Zhao and Fennell. It was fairly merely a monumental night time for Zhao, the China-born director who grew to become solely the second lady in Oscar historical past to win the directing prize, after Kathryn Bigelow, and the primary lady of color. Her lyrical Nomadland went on to win greatest image — an emphatic triumph for the elegant filmmaker. Subsequent up for Zhao is one thing very totally different from this movie made for lower than $5 million: a Marvel movie with a price range round $200 million.

Thanks, mother — for having intercourse with dad!

It’s at all times a good suggestion to pay tribute to at least one’s Mother when successful an Oscar. Possibly to not discuss her intercourse life, although — particularly when she’s sitting within the viewers. Daniel Kaluuya gave a stirring speech when he gained greatest supporting actor for his charismatic efficiency in Judas and the Black Messiah as Black Panther chief Fred Hampton. Waxing rhapsodic, he then mentioned: “My mum met my dad, they had sex. It’s amazing. I’m here. I’m so happy to be alive.” His mom, in her seat, might clearly be seen asking what the heck he was speaking about. Backstage, Kaluuya defined: “She’s got a sense of humour.”

Man and Cephalopod

Many a buddy movie has triumphed on the Oscars through the years. This was presumably the primary a couple of human and … an octopus. My Octopus Trainer from Netflix rode a wave of fan enthusiasm to one of the best documentary characteristic prize. With beautiful visuals, the movie tells the story of filmmaker Craig Foster, who grew to become hooked up to a feminine octopus. Famous James Reed, co-director with Pippa Ehrlich: “If a man can form a friendship with an octopus, it does sort of make you wonder what else is possible.”

Oh hey, Brad

Youn Yuh-jung has charmed Western audiences since she broke by means of in Minari, and the distinguished South Korean actress didn't disappoint Sunday as she gained one of the best supporting actress award — solely the second Asian actress to take action. In her speech, she joked about how usually her identify is mangled, and marveled at how she might presumably defeat fellow nominee Glenn Shut. Youn, 73. additionally dared to tease her presenter, Brad Pitt, whose firm was concerned within the manufacturing of Minari, for not visiting the set in Oklahoma. “Mr. Brad Pitt, finally!” she mentioned. “Nice to meet you.” Yuh-Jung Youn and Brad Pitt backstage. (AP Photograph/Chris Pizzello)

Bypassed once more, Shut makes her mark

It in all probability wasn’t the form of Oscar historical past she needed to make: Shut is now 0-8 on the Oscars, tying Peter O’Toole for many nominations with out successful. Certainly she is going to win someday, however for Sunday’s telecast no less than, she needed to make her mark one other approach. She did it with humour, in a uncommon comedy bit. Enjoying a sport the place Questlove would play a music and a celeb would guess if it was ever nominated for or gained an Oscar, Shut was given EU’s “Da Butt.” In what appeared a scripted second, she exclaimed: “Wait a second. Wait a second. That’s Da Butt.” She then jumped out of her seat and, effectively, gyrated her butt, offering a wanted second of levity. Glenn Shut earlier than the ceremony. (AP Photograph/Chris Pizzello)

Can we return to the outdated approach?

One more awkward Oscar second for Joaquin Phoenix, who appears to specialise in them. Presenting the ultimate award for greatest actor, Phoenix undoubtedly anticipated — as did a lot of the remainder of the world — to offer the award to Boseman, rewarding the beloved actor posthumously for his very good efficiency in Ma Rainey’s Black Backside. Certainly, it appeared as if the award order was modified, with greatest image introduced earlier than greatest actress and actor, to capitalize on the anticipated emotional influence. As a substitute, Hopkins (additionally deserving, after all) gained the award, and since he wasn’t there, it lent a bizarrely abrupt ending to the proceedings … a la the cut-to-black in The Sopranos. So …subsequent time, can we return to the outdated order, please?