The performers of Hollywood are basically charged with two responsibilities. First, they perform. Whatever arena in which those performances take place, it has to happen. (Unless you're lucky enough to have the title of "socialite"-- wtf?) And their other responsibility is to get dressed up lookin' all shmancy-pants. Typically, with the help of designers and stylists, they all look singularly lovely on the red carpet. But certain ladies outshine the others inside and out.
Anna Kendrick, nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her work in Up in the Air, wasn't even wearing the dress she chose. Due to some wardrobe mishap the actress ended up having to choose a dress at the last minute; she didn't seem to be a huge fan of the choice, but I disagree. While the color is a bit light for her skin, it is lovely with her dark hair; the drapes, the off-the-shoulder sleeves, the pooling below her feet, the cinching in at the waist-- the whole package seemed very grecian-goddess-meets-sweet-and-romantic. She pulled it off beautifully.
My favorite thing about this year is that it seems to be all about Old Hollywood Glamour. I was hearing those words everywhere. In the photo to the left, Kate Winslet seems to be channeling the sultriness of the legendary Marlene Dietrich, while Charlize Theron, shown at the right, stuns as always in glamorous purple satin with color gradation as a modern twist; she seals the deal with red lips. I'm absolutely hooked.
Carey Mulligan, shown to the left, was a Best Actress in a Leading Role nominee for her performance in An Education. Everyone's fluttering this year over her feminine pixie haircut (which she claimed on the red carpet to hate, saying she's been trying to grow it out, blah-blah-blah--Hey Carey, do you know how many women would KILL to be able to pull off a pixie?! Love your heart-shaped face! LOVE IT!) She wore a black dress, fitted at the waist with an a-line skirt-- definitely a nod to some very similar vintage styles, notably ones worn by Audrey Hepburn-- but the dress was given a modern edge with some dark, sort of goth-y sparkle and an asymmetrical hemline.
Can we all just pause for a moment to talk about the awesome that is Tina Fey? Girl was hot, looking all 50's glam meets grecian goddess with that one shoulder thing going on. And then she presented, and she just radiates personality. She's funny, she's smart, and she has good taste. She revived Alec Baldwin's career-- she must be a genius. And the fact that she is such a great representative of a truly talented and genuine performer makes her the perfect segue into the heart of the matter, the reason I am doing this blog-- not just this post, but this blog. Tonight was a good night for some of the most deserving and most personable women in the business.
Gabourey Sidibe, a newcomer to Hollywood, attended her first Academy Awards ceremony last night as a nominee-- up for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. The girl is more than just a representation of the fact that a young woman can be recognized for the sheer force of her talent rather than by the shape of her body or the color of her skin. In her (also arguably vintage-looking) blue dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and floral crystal embellishments, she is a truly radiant and beautiful woman who gives renewed vigor to the dormant confidences of full-figured women who were fortunate enough to see her. Her confidence is as infectious as her personality. And to be nominated for the biggest award in Hollywood during the first year of your career? Nothing less than a triumph.
As a nod to the first Black woman to win an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel, Mo'Nique wore an ensemble of the same royal blue dress paired with a gardenia in her hair. Mo'Nique is taking home an Oscar tonight for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. She, too, along with Sidibe, is an example of a beautiful personality shining inside and out of a full-figured woman, thanking her husband in her acceptance speech for reminding her that "sometimes you have to forgo doing what's popular in order to do what's right." Good advice. Mo'Nique is only one of several talented people who took home their first Oscars last night.
Sandra Bullock, who has said that she never thought she would win an Oscar, also left the Academy Awards with a statuette this evening. Peppering her acceptance speech with her signature humor, she was the picture of personality and grace. She is one of the classiest ladies in Hollywood and for all of the performances she's done, all the work she's given to the industry and everyone else to prove that women are funny too, she certainly deserves an Oscar. I love Meryl Streep any day, but Julie and Julia? I mean, come on. I couldn't say whether I could make the Best Actress decision, but I'm certainly glad Bullock walked away with it this year.
And finally, without any more ado whatsoever since it is nearing the 3 a.m. mark, I want to talk about the real star of the show tonight, the one who became almost instantly legendary. Of course, I am talking about Kathryn Bigelow. Responsible for directing the film that swept up-- six?-- Oscars last night, Bigelow's win for Best Director was announced by Barbra Streisand, preceded by the words "Well, the time has come."
It certainly has. Last night, Kathryn Bigelow competed for the title of Best Director with her ex-husband, James Cameron, for his film, Avatar, the highest-grossing film in history. And she won. She became the first female in the 82 years of Oscar history to win that title. By using her acceptance speeches, both for Best Director and Best Picture, to thank those who serve in uniform every day, she transformed herself, in my eyes, into what all artists want to be: people who believe in and spread the message of truth. She epitomizes what it means to be an artist and a woman in a society that has made women commodities for B movies.
(All photos were borrowed from Film.com)
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