The last thing anyone needs to read, especially a week after the fact, is yet another review of the Oscar telecast.It’s been a crazy several days so I apologize for this belated post. Let’s keep it short and simple. Bravos to Hugh Jackman, producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, Sophia Loren, Eva Marie Saint, Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Meryl Streep, Penelope Cruz, the family of Heath Ledger, "Milk" and "The Reader", Danny and Dev and Freida and the kids. And the real star of the evening: Dustin Lance Black.
There was a sense of glamour and celebration that’s been missing for several years. I got a little teary when Kate’s dad whistled and when Queen Latifah sang “I’ll Be Seeing You” for the memorial reel. And I'd like to think that the trophy for la Cruz was also, maybe just a little bit, in recognition for her brilliant turn in "Volver."
The musical number, courtesy of Baz Luhrmann, wasn’t any better –or any worse-- than any other misguided and time-wasting song & dance extravaganzas we’ve been watching for decades, but at least it gave us a few opportunities to wallow in the fleeting pleasures of our stunning host along with Beyonce and Zanessa. Poor Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried should/could have stayed home.
Sure, I was hoping against hope that "Milk" would pull a big surprise for Best Picture, but the awards for screenplay and actor were certainly well deserved, and made for one of the most enjoyable Oscarcasts since "Chariots of Fire" grabbed the big prize. Now that was a night which all of us Alice Krige fans will never forget.
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