Fittingly for an Academy Awards celebrating 2023, the yr of “Barbenheimer,” the flicks that made up that phenomenon commanded our consideration on Sunday evening, too. None of it was a shock, precisely — we knew Ryan Gosling was going to carry out the music “I’m Simply Ken,” from “Barbie.” And “Oppenheimer” had been the ceremony’s front-runner since awards season began final fall. Nonetheless, we weren’t ready for simply how a lot the ceremony, which for essentially the most half ran easily, would get a lift from these twin blockbusters. Listed here are the highs and lows as we noticed them.
Most Charming Efficiency: Ryan Gosling, ‘I’m Simply Ken’
America’s No. 1 Ken, the “Barbie” star Ryan Gosling — who was additionally nominated for finest supporting actor and offered a tribute to stunt performers with Emily Blunt — introduced the home down together with his efficiency of “I’m Simply Ken,” one in every of two nominated “Barbie” songs. In a shimmering scorching pink tuxedo, backed by a few of his co-stars (Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Scott Evans, Ncuti Gatwa) and a bevy of good-looking males in tuxes, he danced and sang his coronary heart out.
Gosling roamed into the viewers, getting Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, America Ferrera and Emma Stone briefly on mic. He was held aloft and spun as big “Barbie” face cutouts twirled round him. The music’s co-writer and co-producer, Mark Ronson, performed bass onstage, as did Slash from Weapons N’ Roses and Wolfgang Van Halen, who had all performed on the unique recording. If the Oscars wished a viral video second, they certain acquired it (regardless that it had been introduced upfront). And Gosling stays the Hollywood man with maybe essentially the most vary. — Alissa Wilkinson
Most Charmed Movie: ‘Oppenheimer’
When “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan’s hit drama concerning the man who helped create the atomic bomb, received finest image, the victory capped an enormous evening for the movie: seven Oscars complete, together with awards for director (Nolan), actor (Cillian Murphy) and supporting actor (Robert Downey Jr.).
Launched final summer season to glowing evaluations and a worldwide box-office complete nearing $1 billion, “Oppenheimer” was thought-about the front-runner even earlier than awards season started. Although some presumed favorites can’t maintain their momentum over a number of months, “Oppenheimer” by no means faltered, incomes prime prizes from the Golden Globes, Critics Alternative Awards, BAFTAs and each main Hollywood guild alongside the best way.
And why shouldn’t it have had a charmed run? In the case of awards-season voters’ typical tastes, “Oppenheimer” may have been designed in an Oscar-friendly Los Alamos lab: It’s a interval drama about an incredible historic determine, set towards the backdrop of World Struggle II, directed by a significant Hollywood auteur. The cherry on prime is that audiences responded to it, too: It’s now the third-highest-grossing movie to win finest image, behind solely “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.” — Kyle Buchanan
Most Assured Host: Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel opened the Oscars with ingratiating self-deprecation (“Thanks for that partial standing ovation”) and closed with a nod to Hollywood as a union city. In between, he did simply fantastic, delivering a broad, conversational set, filled with secure roasts (a jab at Robert De Niro relationship youthful, a knock on the flop “Madame Net”), a crowd-pleasing cameo by a canine and a corny joke about Robert Downey Jr.’s pants. Nothing hilarious or daring. But it surely was a assured and clubby set, one you’d count on from a veteran host who had been there, achieved that. — Jason Zinoman
Greatest Shock: Emma Stone Wins as Her Costume Tears
It was the stuff of an Oscar winner’s nightmare. As Emma Stone walked onstage to simply accept one of the best actress award for her flip in “Poor Issues,” she motioned to the opposite finest actress winners onstage, together with her bestie Jennifer Lawrence, to assist along with her Louis Vuitton robe, which gave the impression to be ripping, Stone dealt with it with grace, joking, “Oh, boy. My gown is damaged. I believe it occurred throughout ‘I’m Simply Ken.’” After a speech by which she paid tribute to her director, Yorgos Lanthimos, and different colleagues, she informed the group, “Don’t look in the back of my gown,” and turned to stroll offstage, one hand over the noticeable rip. — Shivani Gonzalez
Wisest Alternative for Presenters
This yr’s ceremony introduced again a setup that was last seen at the 2009 ceremony: As a substitute of 1 sole presenter, 5 previous Oscar winners launched every of the nominees within the appearing classes. Let’s hope it sticks this time. Whereas it meant we didn’t get clips of the actors, properly, appearing, it did imply we acquired heartfelt tributes that had a few of the winners getting emotional earlier than even taking the stage.
This was very true within the first class of the evening, supporting actress, the place there have been sturdy private connections between the honorees and people who had triumphed earlier. Lupita Nyong’o, as an example, informed the eventual winner, Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph: “Your efficiency is tribute to those that have helped others heal despite their very own ache. It’s additionally a tribute to your grandmother, whose glasses you wore within the movie. What an honor to see the world by way of her eyes and yours.” Randolph wiped tears from her face. Later, after Ben Kingsley spoke to the “humanity” in Cillian Murphy’s successful interpretation of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Murphy smiled and bit his lip, nodding with moved affection.
Then there was Robert Downey Jr. After successful his first Oscar on his third attempt for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer,” he supplied breezy, jocular remarks by which he variously thanked his “horrible childhood,” his stylist and a lawyer who he stated spent years attempting to get him insured. All of it labored. — Esther Zuckerman and Matt Stevens
Most Shifting Alternative for a Presenter
Kudos to whoever got here up with the good concept of getting Rita Moreno handle America Ferrera (“Barbie”) through the presentation of one of the best supporting actress nominees. It gave Moreno the chance to sing “Ahh-meeeh-riii-ca,” a callback to the veteran Oscar winner’s legendary efficiency of the music of the identical title from “West Aspect Story” (1961). But it surely was additionally a celebration, “from one lady to a different,” of the highly effective hyperlink throughout generations between two Latin artists who every created cinematic moments which have turn into cultural touchstones. — Mekado Murphy
Most Probably Fascinating Alternative for a Host
When the comedian John Mulaney took the stage to current the Oscar for finest sound, I’d virtually forgotten about one other sound: that of an viewers genuinely laughing as an alternative of politely chuckling at jokes that will by no means hit in any other case. After a gradual march of milquetoast bits that made even the host Jimmy Kimmel and hilarious actors like Melissa McCarthy appear meh, Mulaney managed to supply us a small style of precise comedy — with quips about silent movies and the 1989 Kevin Costner sports activities fantasy “Subject of Desires,” no much less! It was a reminder that it’s attainable to ship from the Oscars stage, and effortlessly at that. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than my colleagues had been ready to guess on when Mulaney would possibly take the reins for the entire ceremony. As our film critic Alissa Wilkinson put it, “I don’t root for Oscar winners, on precept, however I do root for one factor: John Mulaney to host the Oscars.” — Maya Salam
Most Political Second, Half 1: Jonathan Glazer, ‘The Zone of Curiosity’
In contrast to latest awards seasons when occasions just like the struggle in Ukraine had been truthful sport, little had been stated at 2024 ceremonies about Israel and Hamas. One exception concerned the creators of the Holocaust drama “The Zone of Curiosity.” On the BAFTAs final month, James Wilson, one of many movie’s producers, introduced up the struggle throughout an acceptance speech. On the Dolby Theater on Sunday, just a few hours after demonstrations came about close by, the movie’s director was extra pointed. Accepting one of the best worldwide function Oscar, Jonathan Glazer stated: “Proper now we stand right here as males who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked, an occupation which has led to battle for thus many harmless individuals, whether or not the victims of October the seventh in Israel or the continuing assault on Gaza, all of the victims, this dehumanization, how can we resist?” — Stephanie Goodman
Most Political Second Half 2: Jimmy Kimmel vs. Donald Trump
Former President Donald J. Trump couldn’t assist himself, Jimmy Kimmel couldn’t resist both, and so the Oscars closed on a political observe. Kimmel used a few of his closing stage time as host to learn a submit revealed on Reality Social by Trump. (And sure, he actually did submit it.) “Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel on the Oscars,” Kimmel stated, studying a part of Trump’s missive. “His opening was that of a lower than common particular person attempting too exhausting to be one thing which he’s not, and by no means could be,” Kimmel added. After asking the viewers, “See should you can guess which former president simply posted that?” Kimmel supplied one closing barb, expressing shock that Trump had stayed as much as watch the telecast: “Isn’t it previous your jail time?” he stated. — Matt Stevens
Finest Win for a Director Who’s Retired (We Suppose)
The nice animator and director Hayao Miyazaki was a ghostly presence on the ceremony, like one of many benevolent spirits he creates for his dazzling tales of grief, journey and rising up. He and his fellow nominee, the producer Toshio Suzuki, weren’t there to simply accept the award for finest animated function for “The Boy and the Heron,” Miyazaki’s fairy story a few Japanese boy making a journey to the underworld to reconcile himself to the wartime lack of his mom. Miyazaki received the identical award in 2003 for “Spirited Away” and introduced his retirement 10 years later; now 83, he has introduced his retirement once more, saying “The Boy and the Heron” will likely be his final film. It will be significantly grasping to want that he alters his thoughts as soon as extra, however right here’s hoping. — Mike Hale
Finest Jab at Hollywood
Accepting his Oscar for finest tailored screenplay for “American Fiction,” the writer-director Twine Jefferson gave a rousing plea for extra funding in films with modest budgets, saying, “It is a risk-averse business — I get it. However $200 million films are additionally a threat, and it doesn’t all the time work out, however you are taking the danger anyway. And as an alternative of constructing one $200 million film, attempt making 20 $10 million films.” It may need made a few of the big-budget nominees within the room squirm, however it was a uncommon, refreshing Oscars second when a winner used their platform to get candid with Hollywood as an alternative of lavishing it with reward. — Julia Jacobs
Finest Jabs on Behalf of ‘Barbenheimer’: Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling
“I’m simply glad that we will lastly put this ‘Barbenheimer’ rivalry behind us,” Ryan Gosling informed the “Oppenheimer” star Emily Blunt after they took the stage to extol the contributions of stunt performers. Final summer season’s film occasion was much less of a contest and extra of an unlikely however entertaining marriage of two radically totally different movies. Hordes of moviegoers displaying up in particular person buoyed the field workplace numbers for each films, and “Barbenheimer” was stated to be proof that the film business had lastly bounced again post-pandemic. But when “Barbie” triumphed on the field workplace, it rapidly grew to become clear that “Oppenheimer” could be the awards favourite, and the Oscar stage proved a great setting for renewed fight:
Blunt: “The way in which this awards season turned out, it simply wasn’t that a lot of a rivalry. Simply let it go!”
Gosling, explaining that the phrase wasn’t “Oppenbarbie”: “Barbie” was first as a result of “you had been using ‘Barbie’s’ coattails all summer season.”
Blunt: “Thanks for Ken-splaining that to me.”
— Chris Kuo
Boldest Trend Pattern: ‘Mermaidcore’
The purple carpet wasn’t dominated by Outdated Hollywood glamour, because it sometimes is, however a more moderen pattern some individuals confer with as “mermaidcore.” What that basically means is sea-foam colours and piscine accents, blended with some ethereal Botticelli “Beginning of Venus” vibes. Take a look at the decadent fishlike scales on Anya Taylor-Pleasure’s gown, impressed by a 75-year-old Christian Dior design. Or the crisp mint robe worn by Emma Stone, harking back to seashells with its peplum prime and jacquard material. Lupita Nyong’o wore a pale blue robe dripping in crystals and feathers. Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph additionally wore a pale blue robe with fringed oversize sleeves. The buttons on Bradley Cooper’s black double-breasted jacket had been an oceanic turquoise blue. The gildings on Florence Pugh’s silvery gown appeared like juicy water droplets. (She additionally wore floating straps — one other surprising, and considerably extra polarizing, pattern.) — Jessica Testa
Sweetest Good Boy: Messi, the ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ Canine
There are few canines who’ve been greeted with as rapturous a reception as Messi, the black-and-white Border collie who performs Snoop within the French courtroom thriller “Anatomy of a Fall.” The Dolby Theater erupted when he was noticed Sunday evening in an opulent seat, a giant black bow tie round his neck — even when the shot was later revealed to have been recorded before the ceremony.
The academy had been toying with followers’ hearts all week. There have been studies that Messi had been “banned” after some executives behind nominated movies not named “Anatomy of a Fall” complained that his scene-stealing escapades on the Oscar nominees luncheon earlier within the yr — together with snuggling with Billie Eilish — had given the movie an unfair benefit throughout Oscars voting. However when the digital camera panned to him throughout Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue within the opening minutes? Sorry, Jenny the donkey, there’s a brand new most-beloved mascot on the town.
This, by the best way, is a canine who is aware of methods to pull off a grand finale: After “Oppenheimer” received finest image, the cameras minimize to the Hollywood Stroll of Fame exterior the theater, the place Messi lifted his leg over Matt Damon’s star and … properly, that was it. It is a refined actor, in any case! — Sarah Bahr
Barest Presentation/Worst Missed Alternative: John Cena
When Kimmel reminded everybody of the streaker at the 1974 Oscars, it was a setup for wrestler-actor John Cena to current the award for finest costume design — within the buff however for a strategically positioned winner-card envelope. “Costumes … they’re so essential,” Cena stated to an enormous chortle, earlier than quick-changing right into a toga and saying “Poor Issues” because the winner. But it surely was a real missed alternative: Barry Keoghan, who was fast to strip down in “Saltburn,” ought to have been the presenter. — Barbara Chai
Quietest Finish to a Fairy-Story Season: Lily Gladstone Loses Finest Actress
Lily Gladstone was the primary Native American nominated for finest actress for her function as an Osage lady married to a white man concerned in a murderous conspiracy in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and she or he was using excessive coming into the Oscars. She had taken house honors from the Golden Globes and the New York Movie Critics Circle — delivering transferring speeches, usually with just a few strains from the Blackfeet language — and her closest rival, Emma Stone, had reacted with what seemed to be real enthusiasm to Gladstone’s Display Actors Guild Award win. So when the time got here for the academy to seal the deal and provides “Killers of the Flower Moon” its solely win of the evening, it … gave the statuette to Stone, her second win in seven years. Credit score to Stone for delivering a gracious speech in a ripped gown — I share this with you,” she informed her fellow nominees. — Sarah Bahr
Oddest Finish to the Awards: Al Pacino Pronounces (Sorta) Finest Image
Al Pacino made for a considerably befuddling and anticlimactic best-picture presenter. He shambolically walked us by way of his strategy of opening the envelope, explaining, “Right here it comes,” to laughter from the group. “And my eyes see ‘Oppenheimer,’” he stated. The cheers that often accompany such an announcement had been at first tentative, given Pacino’s lack of declaration. It was solely as soon as music began to play that it felt like we dodged a possible “Moonlight”-”La La Land” mixup. “Oppenheimer” was certainly the winner; it was solely Pacino who wasn’t so certain. — Esther Zuckerman
