There are two ways to carry the burden of winning. Either you drop the F-word like Melissa Leo or you climb on the back of the chairs in celebratory abandon like Roberto Benigni and proclaim without saying it that life is beautiful. Somehow the second bit is more wonderful to watch and more elevating. To win an award you have wanted to win with every fibre of your being is probably the best opportunity to tell life that you are grateful and that it is wonderful to be a reckless dreamer against all odds. The sight of a jubilant underdog is the most cleansing and inspiring sight in the world but not when shaking in your boots leads to loosening of the tongue and though you can say all the glorious things in the world, you end up swearing. Don’t get me wrong. It is healthy to swear. Especially when no one can hear you. But in front of a global audience, with an Oscar in your arms? Not so much.
This was one of those moments they will show years from now alongside the ones where Brando sent an Indian activist to the Oscars in his place and Bjork turned up wearing something close to a dead swan on the carpet. “OMG, what were they thinking,” moments.
I also did not quite get the “young and hip” vibe of the show. On paper James Franco and Anne Hathaway are bright young sparks and it was the perfect platform for us to celebrate Franco who has finally broken away from the shadows of pale-mouthed Spidermen to become a flesh-and-blood actor but he just did not pop and crackle. He was listless. And I can’t decide whether being listless is better or worse than being over-enthusiastic and getting upon everyone’s nerves. Hathaway is living radiance. An articulate, grounded young actor and yet the lines and lesbian jokes she was given to mouth made her sound like an air-head. If the Academy wants to fire someone, they should fire the script writers of the show. There was not one memorable line. I missed Hugh Jackman and half wanted him to jump up on the stage and join Ann but then this was not a Filmfare award night.
What I will always love however about the Oscars is the obvious passion and reverence for cinema the ceremony exudes. The show designers know their trivia. They dig out nuggets about memorable films and performances from the archives. There are always golden links of continuity from the past to the present. The focus remains completely on the craft and on the remarkable work that actors, creators, dreamers and visionaries of cinema give us to enjoy. There is a sense of celebration, respect and kinship and not one award show in India has the same sincerity, spirit or detailing. We have so much cinematic history but we never mount it. Instead, we have bawdy jokes and canned laughter. And paan masala brands as sponsors.
My Oscar for today’s ceremony goes to the 94-year-old Kirk Douglas who tottered up the stage, chewed up the scenary and with the audience in his palm, said, ” Three times and I lost everytime.”
Just goes to show that old is mostly gold. Especially in cinema.
Reema Moudgil is the author of Perfect Eight. (http://www.flipkart.com/perfect-eight-reema-moudgil-book-9380032870) . More on Story Wallahs. Also check other books by Unboxed Writers in our Store.
Absolutely agree with you about the kinship and respect for the craft and each other…it’s a pleasure to watch such a celebration where everything seems so genuine, like there are no pretenses about the award being rigged, jury being biased, and worst, stars not believing in the award (like it happens in our country…what disrespect) You have beautifully captured the essence of the most celebrated award. Indeed, an Academy!
Indeed, the Oscars stand alone as the ultimate in award ceremonies, and yes, the less than enthralling performances in this one were definitely a let down. And again, yes, here’s to hoping that Indian award ceremonies make some effort to measure up!