Dreams Can Come True on Oscar Night

February 25, 2008-If you are an avid Daily Show watcher like myself, than you might have tuned in to the Oscars on Sunday night, mostly to see Jon Stewart’s opening monologue. Yet, I kept watching, not only to see the glitz, glamour, and awkward acceptance speeches, but also because I was curious as to who was going to win Best Picture. Most critics predicted No Country for Old Men, but I was rooting for my personal favorite and complete underdog, Atonement. Of course, the Best Picture is the last award presentation, so I had a while to wait. Yet, Stewart made it enjoyable with his political quips and off the cuff remarks.

I was glad I stuck it out and watched the entire show, because I was pleasantly surprised by some of the wins. It was nice to see Marion Cotillard win for Best Actress for her haunting performance as French singer Edith Paif in La Vie En Rose. She beat out the favorite, Academy Award winner Julie Christie, who was predicted to win her second Oscar. I felt justified in rooting for Cotillard by her gracious and emotional acceptance speech. She stumbled a little on her English, but her shock and genuine enthusiasm brought a smile to my face. At an Oscars that had many nominations from dark, violent movies, it was nice to see someone with such sincerity and joy.

It was also a pleasure to hear Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova win Best Original Song with their piece, Falling Slowly, from the movie Once. Again the earnestness and hope that these winners portrayed, was so refreshing in a Hollywood, that can oftentimes be snobbish and self obsessed.

As you may have heard, No Country for Old Men, won Best Picture. I’m sorry, to admit I haven’t seen this flick yet, but alas I do not believe no matter how wonderful a performance by Javier Bardem, that this movie is not exactly my cup of tea. Speaking of tea, two Brits rounded out the Best Supporting Actress and Best Actor category, Tilda Swinton and Daniel Day Lewis. So all in all, no major surprises, even though my heart did sink a little when Atonement was not called. (I think mostly because I wanted to see its star, James McAvoy.) Now, some may call the couple hours I spent watching the telecast a waste of time. I could have simply looked up the Best Picture winner the next morning, and Jon Stewart said his funniest remarks in the beginning. Yet, it is so relatable and wonderful to see deserving new comers receive their awards, that it left me with a feeling of such optimism and “dreams can come true” attitude that I would consider it a night well spent.