Oppenheimer's Sweep: A Glorious Victory
Oppenheimer secured prestigious accolades including the coveted Best Picture and Best Director, which was rightfully awarded to the visionary Christopher Nolan. Furthermore, Cillian Murphy's stellar performance earned him the title of Best Actor, while Robert Downey Jr. shone as the Best Supporting Actor. The film's brilliance extended to categories such as Best Original Score and various technical awards, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
Heartbreak and Triumphs: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
While Oppenheimer basked in its glory, there were bittersweet moments for other nominees. Despite her remarkable portrayal in Killers Of The Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone missed out on making history as the first indigenous Best Actress, with the award instead going to Emma Stone for Poor Things, a film that also clinched three other Oscars. On a brighter note, Da'Vine Joy Randolph's exceptional performance in The Holdovers earned her the title of Best Supporting Actress, completing her triumphant journey through this awards season.
Celebrating Creativity: A Night of Artistic Excellence
Anatomy Of A Fall and American Fiction stood out, securing the awards for Best Original and Best Adapted Screenplay respectively. Additionally, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's captivating composition, "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie, resonated with audiences, earning them the accolade for Best Original Song, the sole triumph for the film among its eight nominations.
Global Recognition: India's Presence at the Oscars
Indian cinema also left its mark on the global stage. RRR was celebrated in a reel honoring stunt performers, while art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai was rightfully honored in the In Memoriam segment. However, India's official entry, the Malayalam film 2018: Everyone Is A Hero, faced disappointment as it exited the nomination race at the shortlist stage. Nonetheless, To Kill A Tiger, set in India, made its mark by competing for Best Documentary Feature, although the award went to 20 Days In Mariupol.
Notable Omissions and Memorable Moments
The Oscar nominations this year stirred discussions due to several notable omissions. The absence of Barbie director and lead star Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Killers Of The Flower Moon actor Leonardo DiCaprio left many surprised.
Memorable Host and Unforgettable Moments
Jimmy Kimmel returned as the host for the fourth time, steering the ceremony with his trademark wit and charm. Memorable moments included a nearly-naked John Cena humorously presenting the Oscar for Best Costume Design, Ryan Gosling's crowd-pleasing rendition of "I'm Just Ken" alongside his Barbie co-stars and rockstar Slash, and Robert Downey Jr.'s uproarious acceptance speech, where he affectionately referred to his wife, Susan Levin, as his "veterinarian."
In conclusion, the 96th Academy Awards were a celebration of cinematic excellence, with Oppenheimer emerging as the shining star of the night, alongside a diverse array of talented artists and unforgettable moments.
Here are all the winners:
Best Picture: Oppenheimer
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer
Best Actress: Emma Stone,Poor Things
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy for Oppenheimer
Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers
Best Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr for Oppenheimer
Best Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari, Anatomy Of A Fall
Best Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson, American Fiction
Best International Feature: The Zone of Interest (UK)
Best Animated Feature: The Boy And The Heron
Best Original Score: Ludwig Goransson for Oppenheimer
Best Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell for What Was I Made For? from Barbie
Best Documentary Feature: 20 Days in Mariupol
Best Documentary Short: The Last Repair Shop
Best Live Action Short: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Best Animated Short: War Is Over! Inspired By The Music Of John And Yoko
Best Sound: The Zone of Interest
Best Production Design: Poor Things
Best Film Editing: Oppenheimer
Best Costume Design: Poor Things
Best Hair And Makeup: Poor Things
Best Cinematography: Oppenheimer
Best Visual Effects: Godzilla Minus One