Oppenheimer Dominates the 96th Oscars with Seven Wins
LOS ANGELES — In a stunning turn of events, Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer emerged victorious at the 96th Oscars, securing a total of seven awards, including the prestigious titles of best picture and best actor for the talented Cillian Murphy.
The film, which boasted an impressive 13 nominations, also clinched awards for best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr, best director for Christopher Nolan, as well as film editing, cinematography, and original score.
This gripping drama, centered around the life of the renowned “father of the atomic bomb”, faced tough competition at the box office from Barbie during the Barbenheimer showdown last summer. However, Oppenheimer ultimately emerged triumphant in the awards war, overshadowing Greta Gerwig’s Mattel comedy which only managed to secure one Oscar for the best original song.
Emma Stone took home the award for best actress for her exceptional performance in Poor Things, a film that also received accolades for best production design, make-up, and costume design.
Host Jimmy Kimmel set the stage for the evening by warmly welcoming the “beautiful human actors” in attendance, acknowledging the challenges they faced over the past year.
Cillian Murphy’s outstanding portrayal earned him the title of best actor, surpassing competitors Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright, while Robert Downey Jr was recognized as the best supporting actor, edging out Robert De Niro and Ryan Gosling.
Murphy, in his first Oscar win from his debut nomination, made history as the first Irish-born actor to claim victory in his category. Overwhelmed by the honor, he dedicated his award “to the peacemakers everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Robert Downey Jr celebrated his first Oscar win after two previous nominations for Chaplin and Tropic Thunder. Expressing gratitude, he humorously thanked his “terrible childhood” before acknowledging the significance of the recognition.
Christopher Nolan, in his first win for best director after a prior nomination for Dunkirk, reflected on the power of cinema in his acceptance speech, emphasizing the profound impact of storytelling.
Emma Stone’s unexpected win for best actress, overcoming the favored Lily Gladstone, highlighted her exceptional performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’s unique period comedy, Poor Things. This marked Stone’s second best actress Oscar, following her earlier success in La La Land.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph claimed the award for best supporting actress for her role in the 70s-set drama The Holdovers, showcasing her talent and earning well-deserved recognition. Notably, this year saw two women of color triumphant in acting categories on the same night.
Barbie, though nominated eight times, secured only one award for the best original song, “What Was I Made For?”, performed by Billie Eilish. The moment was met with a standing ovation, reaffirming Eilish’s musical prowess.
The star-studded evening also featured a lively performance by Ryan Gosling, who entertained the audience with his nominated song “I’m Just Ken” in a dazzling pink suit, accompanied by a group of dancing Kens and a special guitar cameo from Slash.
Justine Triet and Arthur Harari celebrated their win for best original screenplay for the marital drama Anatomy of a Fall, with Triet becoming the first French woman to achieve this recognition.
Additionally, Cord Jefferson’s debut screenplay for American Fiction secured the award for best adapted screenplay, offering a fresh take on Percival Everett’s novel Erasure.
Amidst the celebrations, 20 Days in Mauripol, a poignant depiction of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, received the award for best documentary feature, marking a significant milestone for the country at the Oscars.
The evening was not without its challenges, as reports of security issues surfaced due to a pro-Palestine protest disrupting traffic near the venue. Despite the disruptions, celebrities like Billie Eilish and Ramy Youssef used their platform to advocate for peace in Gaza.
The ceremony also revived a tradition where past winners presented acting Oscars, allowing luminaries such as Lupita Nyong’o, Sam Rockwell, Ben Kingsley, and Jennifer Lawrence to honor their peers.
Oppenheimer’s triumph as the highest-grossing best picture winner since 2004 and the first film to win best picture, actor, and supporting actor since 1960 solidified its place in Oscars history. While several nominated films left empty-handed, the night was a testament to the talent and dedication of the film industry.
With the memory of last year’s standout winner Everything Everywhere All at Once still fresh, the 96th Oscars showcased a diverse array of cinematic achievements that captivated audiences and celebrated the art of storytelling. — Agencies
