If self-praise is no praise, where does that leave the Academy Awards?
Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gathers in Hollywood to bestow luv upon actors, writers, directors, cinematographers, animators, costume designers, c
omposers … you know the list. But unless you know someone who is nominated in a behind-camera category – or you’re a stone cold film buff – it’s generally the acting, directing and best film awards that everyone watches. Well that and the outfits.
But here, since news of the winners and photos from the red carpet are out nearly a day before the coverage comes on telly, there must be something else to draw us. For me, it was the chance to see the fine actor Jeff Bridges finally acknowledged by the Academy. I was also curious to see how Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin did as co-hosts.
The highlights reel that RTÉ broadcast on Monday night was surprisingly slow-moving. Martin and Baldwin provided stale schtick that seemed more suited to a Vegas lounge than a one-off Hollywood spectacular.
Neil Patrick Harris, who played 'Doogie Howser' as a child actor, became America’s favourite awards-show host after his star turn hosting Broadway’s Tony Awards last year. He came out with a song-and-dance number that might have been a stand-out, but I couldn’t tell because I could barely hear him. No Best Sound Emmy for the Oscars this year.
The po-faced choreography of best original score montage was a yawn, the tributes to best actor and actress nominees from some of their co-stars was self-conscious and awkward and the overstatement was startling.
“Only the glorious Quentin Tarantino could get away with rewriting history,” John Travolta said when introducing scenes from Best Picture nominee Inglorious Basterds. Take that, Shakespeare.
But I was delighted to see Jeff Bridges receive a standing ovation when he accepted his award, and touched by the tribute he paid to his late parents and his wife and daughters. In a very Dude-like moment, he referred to acting as a “groovy profession,” probably the first time that word was used in an Oscar acceptance speech, 1968 aside.
I was also moved by the fairytale story of Precious star, newcomer and Best Actress nominee Gabourey Sidibe, but Sandra Bullock won. And it was great to see Kathryn Bigelow finally crack Oscar’s glass ceiling for women directors, though it would be more satisfying to know that she was not just a blip in the long line of white men.
In this shortened broadcast we didn’t get to see Dublin’s Richard Baneham (Avatar) receive his Oscar for Best Visual Effects, though he was still generous with praise for less successful Irish nominees in live interviews on Monday morning. I was tickled for him, too.
The rest was only so much self-praise. And you know what that means.
Roy, RTÉ 2, Weekdays, 5pm
The Den’s new comedy series is an Irish take on a BBC programme of the same name. Roy is an 11-year-old cartoon boy in the real world.
