The Lollygabber

Oscar Moments and Quotes

February 24, 2009 at 2:42 am Leave a comment

Best Supporting Actress: Penélope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Once she positioned herself behind the podium, Spanish sensation Cruz squealed in delight and warned that she might actually faint. At the conclusion of her acceptance speech, she spoke in Spanish. I will paraphrase her message: To all the Spanish speakers in the world and all those from my country, I share this award with you.

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight

Along with Danny Boyle’s Best Director trophy for Slumdog Millionaire, this was the least surprising award of the night. Many would agree that Ledger’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor also symbolized the accolades he should have received for his leading role in Brokeback Mountain. As recognized by his immediate family, this award was all-the-more meaningful in that it honored his final film and, in a large sense, his career in its entirety. Kim Ledger, Heath’s father, said that the Academy Award “would have humbly validated Heath’s determination to be validated […] within an industry he so loved.”

Best Actress: Kate Winslet in The Reader (although the Academy certainly had Revolutionary Road in mind as well when casting votes)

When introducing the actress, Marion Cotillard acknowledged Winslet’s “passion, vulnerability, and extraordinary depth.” As she beheld the golden figurine in her hands, Winslet declared, “Well, it’s not a shampoo bottle now.” She had dreamt of this moment since childhood, occasionally using bathroom objects to help her mimic an acceptance speech in front of the mirror.

Best Actor: Sean Penn in Milk

Robert Deniro introduced Penn as a man who puts everything into his work: “Sean Penn, the actor, loses himself in every role.” In the most political speech of the night, Penn urged, “We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.” He described himself as “grateful to be living in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man as president.”

Honorable Mention of the Night: Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler

Sir Ben Kingsley asked the audience of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, “Why do we care for a bleach-blond battered bruiser? Well, there’s one reason: Mickey Rourke.” He then addressed the actor directly: “We’re better off having you in the ring. Welcome back, the returning champ, Mickey Rourke.” While Rourke did not win the coveted Oscar, he did take home a Golden Globe just weeks before. During the after show with Barbara Walters, Rourke admitted that, while winning the Oscar would be an honor, “at the end of the day, you can’t eat it, you can’t fuck it, and it won’t get you into heaven.”

Entry filed under: Pop Culture, Speech. Tags: Entertainment, Film, Movies, Oscars, Pop Culture, Spanish.