By Jan Wahl–
It is a most particular American phenomena. It can be a giddy social history of our times. It’s a grand, grotesque Hollywood party with a good guest list. At its best, it reminds people of films that have little promotion but deserve to be seen. Welcome to the Oscars.
Sometimes we get a moment of profound beauty in an acceptance speech, before awardees begin to read from a folded piece of paper. That should not be allowed. But when the words come from the heart, they are worth remembering. The Imitation Game about Alan Turing (included in the Rainbow Honor Walk) won in 2015 for Best Adapted Screenplay. Writer Graham Moore said, “I tried to kill myself at 16 because I felt weird and different. Now I tell you: stay weird, stay different.” When Michelle Yeoh won Best Actress in 2023 for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, she gave us this: “Ladies, don’t let anyone tell you that you are past your prime.”
Sometimes it’s a presenter who adlibs something to remember. Back in 1954, Stella Adler reminded folks, “Life beats you down and crushes the soul … art reminds you that you have one.” Sometimes it is even the host, as when Oscarless Bob Hope said, “Welcome to the Oscars. Or as it’s known in my house, Passover.”
What a weird year this 97th Oscars is. Usually, we get laughter or tears. This year it is more about thought and insight. Even Wicked stresses racism and power dynamics. I missed the laughs from Glinda and the full dance numbers. The feisty character played by Kieran Culkin in one of my three favorite movies nominated, A Real Pain, has comic moments, but nothing like the wit of earlier comic nominations like American Fiction, Barbie, and going back to the first movie to win all the big ones: It Happened One Night.
This year I get most of my chuckles from imagining the pitch meetings with the studios or investors. “The head of a drug cartel decides to transition.” “A sex worker puts it over on Russian thugs.” “How did Trump learn evil as a young man?” Emilia Perez, Anora, and The Apprentice turned out to be well worth producing, though Trump tried his best to stop his story. Emilia Perez turns a spotlight on trans, marking the first time an out trans performer has been nominated as Best Actress. I hope Karla Sofia Gascón takes home the gold.
My three favorites this year are A Complete Unknown, A Real Pain, and The Apprentice. I disliked The Substance, finding it a cheesy horror flick. As usual, I have my disappointments. Will & Harper should have been up for Best Documentary Feature, and Kate Winslet was all courage in Lee. But I’m still getting over Gloria Swanson and Judy Garland losing for Sunset Blvd and A Star is Born, so I hold a grudge! I am hoping the nominations for The Apprentice will drive people to rent it, as the nominations often do with lesser-known films. That is a real value of Oscar.
For fun, another positive is the fashion. Billy Porter opened the closet with a custom Christian Siriano gown in 2019. Julia Roberts wore vintage Valentino, Celine Dion rocked a backward Dior tuxedo, Bjork captured attention in a swan dress, Streisand wore a sheer Scassi jumpsuit, Sharon Stone mixed Vera Wang with a Gap men’s shirt, and Grace Kelly glided with elegance in celadon Edith Head satin. And, of course, there was the Cher in Bob Mackie moment. (There is a terrific Bob Mackie feature documentary, Naked Illusion, now steaming. Do not miss it!) Fashion at the Oscars influences worldwide looks. I cannot wait to see menswear icon Colman Domingo this year.
This year’s show will convey compassion about the horror of the SoCal fires and hopefully will strengthen the fight for trans rights and maybe even give us some showbiz glitz too. A girl can hope, right?.
Jan Wahl is a Hollywood historian and film critic on various broadcast outlets. She has two Emmys and many awards for her longtime work on behalf of film buffs and the LGBTQ community. Contact her at www.janwahl.com
Off the Wahl
Published on February 13, 2025
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