2017 Oscar Reactions

Well that was an awkward finish. Like last year I didn't watch Academy Awards, time and cutting cable get in the way, but seeing clips from the Best Picture wrong envelope mess surely put everyone involved, including the audience through the ringer. It's a shame it happened but it's great that the right movie was awarded in the end. So what are my thoughts on the winners? Here's a quick summary.

Best Picture: Moonlight

It's a messy way to win but I can't complain with the end result. Moonlight is ultimately a more relevant, less self-important film that will be watched for decades while La La Land reeks of a movie people will forget about in a couple of years. Oddly enough it looks like the early backlash I spoke of in my La La Land review may have ultimately played a part.

Best Actor: Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea

I don't like this. Not because Affleck didn't give a good performance, he did, but because I've read the details of the sexual harassment lawsuit he was involved in and its terrifying. Also it's a bit scary that I only learned about this this year rather than years before when the events brought up in the suit actually happened. 

However my biggest problem is the message it sends through the industry that redemption comes from art and not actions. To my mind, there's no detriment to your career if you don't win an Oscar and actually winning an award doesn't mean you're automatically a better person. The message to victims of harassment is that in time their abusers will be forgiven and praised for their art, rather than left out or forced to take a hard look in the mirror. I'm not saying Affleck should never work again, studies have indicated this makes partners less likely to report abuse, but he doesn't need a gold statue. 

There's a good chance that this was a matter of partial votes (i.e. Affleck may not have won the most first place votes but got a lot of second place votes of something comparable). However, having him on the ballet technically made this a possibility and I personally disagree with that. I know not everyone will share my view and plenty of people loved his performance. I don't like the message.

Best Actress: Emma Stone for La La Land 

I don't mind this win. I think anyone who saw Elle will be upset considering the earth-shattering performance from Isabelle Huppert, but overall this particular category didn't have a runaway favorite. I think most of the dislike for Stone winning comes from people who didn't like the movie as a whole. As someone who thought La La Land was ho hum, I can admit that Stone's performance is quite good, very layered and at least worth a shot at an Award. Of the nominees here, Stone is a solid choice. Whether or not this grouping should have had other people is certainly up for debate.

Direction: Damien Chazelle for La La Land

I get why Chazelle won here. There's a lot of intricate and beautifully staged musical numbers and almost every frame of the film looks like a painting. My preference still lies with Barry Jenkins for Moonlight, not just because he would've been the first black director win the award but also because Moonlight is a more immersive film.

Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali for Moonlight

No complaints. He's had a hell of year and deserves every second of praise he's getting.

Best Supporting Actress: Viola Davis for Fences

Again no complaints. And as proof of her power she made me cry in Fences and when I watched her acceptance speech for Fences.

Best Animated Film: Zootopia

It's hard to argue against the socially conscious kids movie from Disney that tackled racism through animal metaphors that will stick with kids and hit like hammers for adults. That said in terms of pure animation artistry and vision Kubo and the Two Strings would've been an upset for the ages.

Best Documentary Feature: OJ: Made in America

There's no bad choices in this category but the sprawling nearly eight hour experience tackling race, class, and fame through L.A. and O.J. Simpson's history was undeniable fascinating and epic. Still, part of me always feels like this category goes to the most famous subject instead of the best overall film.

Best Screeplays: Moonlight (Adapted) and Manchester by the Sea (Original)

Loved that Moonlight won which means Barry Jenkins didn't go home empty handed and the same thinking could be applied to Kenneth Lonergan who also directed Manchester by the Sea. I did have hope that Hell or High Water would come away with an award here though. I get why it didn't but I love that movie.

Best Song: "City of Stars" from La La Land

Not a single song from Sing Street, a movie who's soundtrack I know all the words to, was nominated while this song that I can barely remember in the film won. This is my penance for "Man or Muppet" winning isn't it?