Hollywood tried very hard Sunday to avoid politics during the Oscars telecast.
It didn’t work, but the gala stuck to the script more than many expected during a Trump presidency.
Why?
It’s one of seven lessons shared during the agonizingly long telecast – three hours and 46 minutes, to be exact.
America Doesn’t Care About Hollywood’s Politics
We officially shared that hard truth on Nov. 5, 2024. Hollywood rallied en masse for Vice President Kamala Harris, and Donald Trump won every swing state.
We. Don’t. Care.
That’s likely why Oscar producers did all they could to remove politics from the telecast. Host Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue lacked a single Trump jab. He capped the gags by embracing film as a path to unify a nation.
Again, that was no accident. The industry is slowly learning we don’t want their lectures.
Blockbusters Need Not Apply
Yes, “Dune Part II” picked up two technical Oscars (Sound and Special Effects) as did “Wicked” (Best Production Design and Best Costume Design).
Neither won what is broadly considered “major” awards – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, etc.
Instead, indie darling “Anora” ($15 million U.S.) scooped up most of those honors. Once again, most movie goers have never seen the film that earned the most golden statuettes.
The Resistance Won’t Be Silenced
O’Brien broke his apolitical mien late in the show.
The host lauded “Anora” for its awards momentum, explaining it with a crack aimed at President Donald Trump. The film follows a prostitute who falls for a young Russian whose father disapproves of their marriage.
“I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”
The show also inexplicably invited Daryl Hannah to present an award. The actress has just two big screen credits over the past five years and isn’t considered Hollywood royalty by anyone’s imagination.
She used her stage time to say, “Slava Ukraine,” meaning “glory to Ukraine.”
Take that, Orange Man Bad.
Hollywood Is in Trouble
“Anora” writer/director/editor Sean Baker got plenty of podium time Sunday, so he spent some of it begging audiences to come back to their local theater.
Movies are meant to be experienced in an auditorium, not on our TV screens, he said. He also planted a flag for indie films in general.
Those pleas wouldn’t be necessary if Hollywood had a robust independent film industry and theaters were packed every weekend. Oscars weekend coincided with yet another lackluster box office tally.
We Still Love Movies
A genuine Oscars highlight? Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reunited to announce the Best Picture winner. The “When Harry Met Sally” stars lit up the night and rekindled warm memories of one of the best rom-coms in the modern era.
The James Bond tribute went on too long and felt bittersweet given Amazon’s takeover of the beloved franchise. You couldn’t deny the power of a 007 clips montage that left us shaken and stirred.
They’ll Never Get In Memoriam Right
Morgan Freeman kicked off the annual tribute to artists lost in the previous year with a personal ode to Gene Hackman. It was a perfect touch, especially given how recently we learned of the “French Connection” star’s passing and his immense contributions to cinema.
Then, as is a disturbing tradition, the “In Memoriam” segment left out Tony Todd, Shannen Doherty and Michelle Trachtenberg, who passed away at the tragically young age of 39 mere days ago.
They’ll Never Create an Efficient Oscars Show
Most years, the Academy Awards staff insist they’ve addressed the show’s gargantuan length, but the results rarely materialize.
This time, O’Brien acknowledged the elephant in the room … via an unnecessary musical number about overlong Oscar shows.
Really.
This show made no attempt to efficiently honor Hollywood’s best and brightest. And it showed.