After years and years of disappointing hosts, nominations and ludicrous awards, the Academy finally produced both a worthwhile show and delivered very nearly the closest count of correct awards to those films, actors and directors who created them.
Most notably, let's talk about how Martin Scorsese, the man who has, over so many different decades, consistently produced the best in American cinema, was finally awarded with the golden statue, which has eluded him for so long. Consistently denied, after creating superior film after superior film, the Academy has consistently chosen to honor filmmakers (if you can, in retrospect, call them that) who really just looked cute, accepting the award at the podium. Robert Redford and his uninspired and typical "Ordinary People," over the amazing "Raging Bull." Kevin Costner and his abhorrent "Dances With Wolves," over "Goodfellas." But let us not forget the most egregious error of all, Roman Polanski, a man who cannot even step foot on American soil, lest he be arrested, wins for "The Pianist," over "Gangs of New York." This is a serious atrocity, which, granted, is based on competition of an art form, but still...can there not be honor in greatness? Mr. Scorsese's win, tonight, means that the Academy has finally been woken from their doldrums, shaken from their unforgivable slumber and half-hearted doling out of awards to those who simply have not consistently produced greatness to garner such a prestigious award.
In addition to the long-awaited award for Mr. Scorsese, the Academy also, wisely chose to honor his phenomenal film, "The Departed," with best picture. Not only did this film produce and deliver more than what it alluded to, in both its early mentions and press releases, but also in it's final product. Other best picture noms include, "Babel," which simply begged for the award and really could not be awarded the statue because it came off as a little disappointing in both its presentation and award friendly demeanor, but also, the other, most egregious error in the nomination category (this designation suggesting that while none of the films deserved the award, their nomination were easily justified) was "Little Miss Sunshine." The film took a few awards tonight, but honestly, deserved none. However, "The Departed," more than deserved everything for which it won. Thankfully, instead of honoring horrible films like last year's "Crash" or potential winner, "Little Miss Sunshine," the Academy did the right thing and thought with their minds and not with political guilt.
Honestly, for the most part, the awards were delivered appropriately and to a tee, but let us talk about those awards, which were so erroneously given to the incorrect recipient, that I was left scratching my head. First, in the category of Best Foreign Film, the award was given to Germany's "The Lives of Others," as opposed to Guillermo Del Toro's, often lauded - especially tonight - "Pan's Labyrinth." I simply cannot understand how a film, which, in addition to "Children of Men," should have been nominated for best picture, doesn't win in the category it so clearly and easily dominates. "Pan's Labyrinth" was not only a hit in Spain and other countries, but consistently placed in the box office top 10 - in the United States, no less! Let me stress that this is a foreign film; meaning people who go to see it will have to read. Frankly, no one here has ever heard of "The Lives of Others." The exclusion of "Pan's Labyrinth" from being one of the recipients of the golden statue is more than wrong,.
Secondly and, perhaps, ironically, the award of Best Cinematography went to "Pan's Labyrinth," but more appropriately should have gone to fellow Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men." For the single most impressive, one take scene in over a decade. Coupled with the gorgeous heavy filters and shifted frame speeds, "Children of Men," more than any other film, this year, deserved the award for its astonishing and powerful cinematography.
Finally, the most erroneous mistake made this evening was the exclusion of Mark Wahlberg, for his career-defining role in "The Departed." Instead, the Academy, wrongly chose to honor Alan Arkin for his minimal and perhaps, ham fisted, portrayal of a heroin smoking grandfather in the most overrated film of the year. Whalberg, with his performance, was able to bridge the gap between his detractors and his fans. He produced, in his character, strength and individuality that was truly above the rest of the characters in the film and with it, a performance that rivaled all of those involved. Arkin, on the other hand, who is a great actor and does have decades of strong and career defining performances behind him, played the role to the best of his abilities, with the tools that he was given. Unfortunately, Arkin - and the rest of his cast - were given the weakest script to honestly make it all the way to this night. He, and frankly, everyone else in that film were given nothing note worthy to do and I honestly cannot recall a single frame of that film that could possibly overtake the exuberance and joy the Wahlberg brought to his role.
Although the detractions to the evening that I just listed were upsetting, it is nice to note that Martin Scorsese, American's greatest director, finally was honored with his first Oscar. Also, it should be mentioned that host Ellen DeGeneres did a phenomenal job, far better than John Stewart and Chris Rock did in previous years and certainly better than the abhorrent Whoopi Goldberg did in all her times hosting. While the runtime was long, running from 5:30 pm to 9:16 pm PST, it was also relaxed and enjoyable.
Finally, after years and years of mistakes, The Academy Awards ends by putting a much-deserved smile on my face and the faces of thousands of Scorsese fans and supporters. I, for one, want to applaud the members of the Academy for finally making the right decision and for erasing so many errors of the past, which could have so easily been allowed to continue after tonight. Thankfully, the anxiety of seeing one of the greatest of all-time finally collect his statue can be removed from the list of nightmares.
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