Oscar's 80th

Last night’s annual ceremony of self-indulgence and falsity was much smaller and not surprisingly, much less indulgent than usual. From host Jon Stewart’s relatively low-key presentation, to the tame acceptors, twice highlighted by Ethan Coen’s monotone, “Thank you,” it was a calm night.
Academy Award ceremonies of the past have showered viewers with glitter and glamour, letting millions revel in the glow of the tearful winners thanking all of the other famous people as well as all of us out here. In contrast, this year had most of the stars staring back at us blankly, wary of the uneasiness of an industry returned from chaos to congratulate itself.
Jon Stewart’s eight days of preparation delivered us some good one-liners that have been missing from his show as of late, but again his presentation didn’t meet the standards set by his predecessors or even himself of last year, in terms of production values anyway. The presenters were tranquil yet we were not left without a malicious chuckle from the bespectacled Jack Nicholson during his scripted presenters speech. Also, particular joy came from presenters Dame Judi Dench and Ms. Halle Berry played by Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill respectively, though a quarrel ensued over who would don Ms. Berry’s caricature and all its implications.
The awards also gave few surprises, as most of the awards were up in the air, with the exceptions of Javier Bardem, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Ratatouille, who were expected walkers of the red carpet. These three were as stoic and emotionless as the rest of the nominees, the only tangible elation exuding from winners Diablo Cody, Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, and Marion Cotillard. Ms. Irglova was also briefly denied an acceptance speech by those notoriously evil people in the music booth, until Jon Stewart invited her back onstage.
The multiple uncertainties in many categories, including Best Picture added for some excitement, and the Coen’s first Oscar of direction is good to see. But, their anticlimactic acceptance speeches showed a side of the ceremony that’s not necessarily bad, just not what we’re used to.
Let’s face it, we turn to the Academy Awards for four or five hours on a random Sunday once a year for the shock and awe that makes Hollywood so interesting from a distance. Cher wearing a sea urchin for example, or Jack Nicholson on drugs (although who’s to say he was any different this year?) But, some toning down in the self-congratulatory aspect might not be such a bad change.
When you take away the curtains and the stage and the dresses and the jewelry, you’re left with a bunch of people patting each other on the back for various, unpredictable, often infuriating reasons. A good first effort Oscar for Kevin Costner for Dances with Wolves, a sorry its been so long Oscar for Scorsese and for the Coens, and a many of us refuse to see Brokeback Mountain Oscar for Crash. Essentially, these awards mean very little, and cannot be trusted to correctly divine which product or person stands out from their peers. But they’re fun for their extravagance, and this year incorporated some much needed humility.