Cillian Murphy became the first individual of Irish descent to win the Oscar for best actor, while Oppenheimer swept the ceremony.
The film dominated the ceremony, earning Christopher Nolan the Oscar for Best Picture, Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor, and Nolan for Best Director.
As a result of his critically acclaimed performance as theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, Murphy was dubbed the best leading actor.
The actor declared himself “overwhelmed” by the victory and added, “Sitting here tonight, I am a very proud Irishman.”
He expressed gratitude to Nolan and producer Emma Thomas for “the most thrilling, daring, and artistically fulfilling journey you’ve ever led me on.”
Additionally, Murphy lauded “every crew member and cast member, you were my lifeblood.”
He reached this conclusion: We produced a film about the inventor of the atomic bomb, and since we all exist in Oppenheimer’s universe, whether we like it or not, I would like to dedicate this to all the peacemakers in the world.
In total, seven awards were presented at the ceremony to Oppenheimer, four to Poor Things (including Best Actress for Emma Stone), and two to The Zone of Interest.
Downey Jr.’s Triumph and Gratitude
In Oppenheimer, Downey Jr. earned the award for best-supporting actor for his performance as US government official Lewis Strauss.
While accepting the award, the actor made the following jest: “In that order, I would like to thank the Academy and my dreadful upbringing.
He continued, “I required this job more than it required me.” “I stand here before you a better man because of it.”
Additionally, the celebrity honored his spouse, Susan Downey, whom he stated rescued him when he was “a snarling pet,” adding that she “resurrected my love, which is why I’m here.”
Downey Jr., widely recognized for his performance as Marvel’s Iron Man, has experienced tremendous success in his Hollywood revival subsequent to a protracted struggle with substance addiction over twenty years ago. During that period, he was incarcerated for failing court-ordered drug tests.
He concluded his address by asserting to the audience, “Our actions carry significance, and our decisions hold criticality.”
While accepting his very first Academy Award for Best Director, Christopher Nolan expressed gratitude to all those who have supported and believed in him throughout his entire career.
In his address to the Academy, he stated, “Movies are just over a century old; we have no idea where this incredible journey is headed from here; however, it means everything to me that you believe I am contributing meaningfully to it.”
Al Pacino, who appeared somewhat disoriented, should have introduced the ten nominees for best picture before proceeding directly to declare Oppenheimer the evening’s grand prize victor.
In her acceptance speech, producer Emma Thomas remarked, “I believe that every filmmaker has this moment in their dreams. “However, the probability that it would ever come to pass was extremely low.”
Moreover, cinematography, editing, and original score were all awarded to Oppenheimer. However, its failure to advance to multiple technical categories prevented it from setting a new record for victories.
Poor Things Leads with Victorian Charm
In its place, the unconventional Victorian drama Poor Things garnered accolades for best actress, costume design, make-up, and hairstyling, in addition to best production design.
In the Yorgos Lanthimos film, the protagonist is an infant whose brain has been surgically implanted into the body of an adult woman. Subsequently, she embarks on a global voyage of exploration.
“This is truly overwhelming,” Stone declared during her address. I am utterly privileged to share this with the entire cast and personnel, as well as every individual whose affection, diligence, and brilliance contributed to the production of this movie.
Best actress was the only major category in which award observers had difficulty casting a ballot; for Killers of the Flower Moon, Stone and Lily Gladstone were viewed as deadlocked in that regard.
However, despite being nominated in ten categories, Martin Scorsese’s drama centered around a series of Osage homicides in the 1920s failed to claim any awards.
The highest-grossing film of 2023, Barbie, was nominated for eight awards but emerged victorious in only one—best original composition for What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish.
Eilish received the award alongside her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell, expressing gratitude to the Academy. “I did not anticipate this; I feel so incredibly fortunate and privileged.”
The Da’Vine In The Holdovers, Joy Randolph won the award for best supporting actress for her performance as a school chef attempting to cope with the murder of her son.
Randolph informed the audience in her acceptance speech: “I have yearned to be unique for an extremely long time. “I now understand that all I needed to do was be myself; I appreciate your observation.”
The Zone of Interest became the first British film in history to receive Best International Feature after being awarded Best Sound. An adjacent German family lives in the critically acclaimed Holocaust drama, which centers on the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Jonathan Glazer delivered a speech of acceptance in which he criticized Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The award for best documentary appeared on 20 Days In Mariupol. Mstyslav Chernov, the film’s director, expressed his “honour” at becoming the first Ukrainian to receive the Academy Award.
Probably the first director on this stage to express regret that they never made this film, he continued, adding, “I wish Russia would never invade our cities or launch an attack against Ukraine.”
A separate accolade was Best Original Screenplay for Anatomy of a Fall. Director and co-writer of the film Justine Triet made light of the fact that the Academy Award would “assist me in navigating my midlife crisis.”
The film follows a woman who is accused of murdering her spouse; her visually impaired son is the only witness in the vicinity.
American Fiction was awarded the award for best screenplay adaptation. The author of the film, Cord Jefferson, stated: “I’ve been talking a lot about how many people passed on this movie when discussing it, and I’m worried that sounds vindictive, but it’s more a plea to recognize there are many people out there who want the opportunity I was given.”
The author acknowledged that Hollywood “is a risk-averse industry” but suggested that production companies commission more films on a smaller scale. Instead of producing one $200 million film, he suggested making twenty $10 million films.
Best Animated Feature Film was awarded to the Japanese fantasy film The Boy and the Heron, defeating Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for the award.
Furthermore, Wes Anderson secured his inaugural Academy Award in the live-action short category with his direction of The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar, which was inspired by the Roald Dahl storyline.
