The 95th Oscars ceremony took place early Monday morning (in Europe), marking the end of a fantastic year for movies. There have been pleasant and unpleasant surprises in the past, but the consensus was that last year was an exceptional year for films. There were blockbusters that saved cinema (Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water), significant comebacks (Brendan Fraser), and a movie that no one expected to be this successful (Everything Everywhere All at Once).
First, let’s talk about the ceremony itself. Jimmy Kimmel hosted for the third time and didn’t disappoint. After parachuting onto the stage in a Top Gun: Maverick reference, he delivered an opening monologue that was sharp and witty. The presenters, including a sparkling Hugh Grant, maintained the energy throughout the evening. Performances by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and the Best Original Song winner, “Naatu Naatu” from the Indian film RRR, were highlights of the night.
The awards distribution was quite predictable, though there were a few surprises. One such surprise occurred when Jamie Lee Curtis won the Best Supporting Actress award, foreshadowing the domination of Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film, directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won a total of seven Oscars, a feat not achieved since Gravity in 2014. It also took home the Best Picture award, signaling a willingness by the Academy to embrace change and innovation.
However, with so many strong contenders in 2022, the awards felt somewhat monotonous. Many deserving films were left without recognition, which would have provided a more diverse list of winners. For example, Babylon could have won for Best Production Design or Best Original Score, but those awards went to The Power of the Dog instead. Similarly, outstanding films like The Batman and Nope were not even nominated in the Best Cinematography category.
In conclusion, while Everything Everywhere All at Once is a brilliant film, and the Academy’s push for creativity and diversity is commendable, the decision-making in this year’s ceremony felt rather one-dimensional. With so many excellent movies in a single year, the Academy should have been more open and inclusive in its awards distribution.
