With Change Come Improvements, Missteps in Oscar Ceremony

There were large ensemble musical numbers, Jerry Lewis, Eva Marie Saint, and a Kodak Theater stage draped in a curtain of crystals. The 81st Annual Academy Awards had the look (if not always the feel) of the classic awards show from decades past. Changes to the ceremony’s format were apparent and sometimes successful in the broadcast from Los Angeles Sunday night.

Host Hugh Jackman opened the show with a comedic skit that featured nominee Anne Hathaway and intentionally simplistic props. This, along with Jackman’s musical melody with Beyonce Knowles and other performers, were low points in the night, as attempts at old Hollywood-style comedy and song and dance felt like arbitrary time fillers in an already exhaustingly long show.

A part of the ceremony which did not receive much revision, the presentation of the technical and artistic awards were on the whole, the same extended and dull parade of surely talented but definitely unknown and awkward award recipients. If there was a section of the show that was in need of edits, this was it. When producers realize that these people work behind the camera for a reason, everyone (including many of the winners themselves) will be glad that we are no longer made to suffer through these two dreadful hours.

The updated format did allow for many successes, however. The first award of the night, which went to Penélope Cruz for best supporting actress in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” was introduced and presented by a diverse array of past winners in the category. The afore mentioned Eva Marie Saint, Tilda Swinton (the winner last year), Anjelica Huston, Whoopi Goldberg, and Goldie Hawn stood on stage together, each introducing and praising one of the nominees. This method of presentation was carried through all four of the awards for acting; connecting generations of actors and personalizing the acclaim for each performance.

Cruz, perfectly poised and elegant in a vintage Balmain gown was the perfect combination of overwhelmed and eloquent in delivering her acceptance speech. In the acting categories the stars did what they do best: shine. Best actor winner for “Milk,” Sean Penn jokingly acknowledged his own aloofness and used his speech to further the message of the movie and of Harvey milk, calling on those who oppose the constitutional recognition of gay marriage “to sit in reflection.”

This heroic moment was proceeded by another: the acceptance of the best supporting actor award by the family of the late Heath Ledger. Ledger’s father, mother, and sister, each offered short and reserved but thankful comments to the audience, Ledger’s sister accepting the award on behalf of his daughter, Matilda.

The celebratory capstone of the night was the final award, as “Slumdog Millionaire” completed an impressive run of awards winning best picture. The ensemble cast filling the stage behind producer Christian Colson, beamed with joy at the win for the year’s surprise favorite. While there were hits and misses, the updated and throwback format did, for the most part, let Hollywood dazzle for its most dazzling night of the year.