In typical Oscars fashion, the 85th Academy Awards ran about 30 minutes longer than scheduled on Sunday night. Host Seth MacFarlane joked about the lengthy ceremony along, but kept most of his jokes fairly subdued, an unexpected feat for the usually over-the-top "Family Guy" creator. After a 15-minute-plus intro, which included singing, dancing and a few insults that left audience members briefly cringing, the evening officially began.
"Life of Pi" was the night's big winner with four awards; including Ang Lee's surprising best director-upset over Steven Spielberg, but it was "Argo" who took home the golden statue for best picture. Despite the fact that it did not receive a nomination for best director, a first since the 1980s, Ben Affleck's "Argo" emerged with the night's highest honor, along with two other awards.
Former Oscars host, Anne Hathaway, was named best supporting-actress for her portrayal of Fantine in "Les Miserables." Hathaway accepted the award just minutes after she and movie cast mates performed live on stage, following Jennifer Hudson's "Dream Girls" ballad and Catherine Zeta-Jones' "Chicago" routine. Later in the evening, Adele performed "Skyfall," which also won for original song. The latest James Bond installment also tied for sound editing with "Zero Dark Thirty," a result that left both audience members and viewers at home slightly confused.
"Django Unchained's" Christoph Waltz won for best supporting actor, an award he was given just three years ago for his role in "Inglorious Basterds." Another repeat-winner was Daniel Day-Lewis who was named best actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln." Day-Lewis became the first man to win three Oscars in the Best Actor category in the show's history; he previously won for his roles in "My Left Foot" and "There Will Be Blood."
"Silver Linings Playbook's" Jennifer Lawrence won for best actress, but her accomplishment was briefly overshadowed by a stumble on the stairs. But, never one to take herself too seriously, Lawrence laughed off the fall and gave a short but sweet acceptance speech, a contrast to some winners' lengthy thank-you's, which had to be cut off by the dreaded "Jaws" music.
Despite the show's length and few shocks, the 85th Academy Awards were entertaining and inspiring albeit a little slow at times.
Alexandra D'Aluisio can be reached at alexandra.daluisio@student.shu.edu.
