For the most part, the 2010 Oscars (for the films of 2009) followed the script. Ironically, Best Adapted Screenplay produced the first of very few upsets; Precious beating out favourite Up in the Air in that category.
Argentinian film The Secret in their Eyes trumping The White Ribbon (Germany) and A Prophet (France), both critical darlings, was the only other real upset.
As expected, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win Best Director, and the Academy are no doubt patting themselves on the back for doing so. “It may have taken us 82 years, but by God we're progressive!” And David slew Goliath with The Hurt Locker, one of the least commercially successful films ever nominated for Best Picture, beating out the highest grossing film of all time. Amen!
The only disappointment (other than the rather lifeless ceremony) was the win by Sandra Bullock. Not an upset as it was expected but the Academy, I feel, have made another grave error of judgement, on a par with 2005 where they awarded Best Picture to Crash instead of Brokeback Mountain (or any of the other contenders).
Bullock may be popular and successful, and she may have stepped outside her comfort zone to perform a dramatic role in which she is perfectly adequate, but adequate shouldn't get you a nomination let alone a statuette. But it makes for a good story and the Academy can feel good that they've recognised the career success of an actress who is unlikely to come this way again.
But seriously, it's a slap in the face, not just to Bullock's fellow nominees – Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Gabourey Sidibe (I've yet to see Helen Mirren's performance but I feel safe in assuming it's better than Bullock's) – but to the other actresses who missed out this year; Abbie Cornish has good reason to be kicking her cat.
So, too, actors from previous years who weren't even nominated for far superior performances; Paul Giamatti for Sideways (2004) immediately springs to mind. But enough of the negative rant, here is the Class of 2009.
Note: I have only listed the major categories, the ones I included in my final predictions.
2009 HONOUR ROLL
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker
Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique - Precious
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds
Best Actor: Jeff Bridges – Crazy Heart
Best Actress: Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side
Original Screenplay – The Hurt Locker
Adapted Screenplay – Precious
Best Animated Feature – Up
Best Foreign Language Film – The Secret in their Eyes
Best Documentary – The Cove
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