The Oscars
I considered writing about the Oscars, but what's the point when Cintra Wilson over at Salon writes...
Halle Berry made history last night, not so much for being the first African-American woman to win an Oscar in the best actress category, but for freaking horribly, uncontrollably out and making the worst, most hysterically rambling, discomfiting and liquefied acceptance speech in Oscar's 74-year history, and I thought Julia Roberts was going to hold that title for a long time. I know it was a big deal for Halle, who claimed her award for All Black Women Everywhere Ever, but her acceptance tantrum had such an alarming cringe factor, I had to leave the room. When they tried to pry her off the stage, she made that screeching Bilbo Baggins monster addiction-face when he Wants the Ring. It was a heavy, strange, grand-mal meltdown. America squirmed.
Comments
I Totally Agree.
Posted by: Paul at March 25, 2002 8:54 PM
It's easy for us to be critical of her hysterical behavior, but unless you're a black actress, I don't think any of us knows what impact winning this award had for her. I doubt we can understand what it's like to be a black female and rarely even have an opportunity to play a role that has oscar potential. And to be the first in 74 years. We've never walked in those shoes.
Posted by: Steve at March 25, 2002 10:18 PM
It does mean a lot to be the first but unless you are winning your 10th Oscar or you just don't care, how is it any different than anyone else winning their first Oscar? Is it less emotional personally to someone because they don't have the "history" behind it? Plus, Halle Berry has a much better shot at Oscar roles than 99% of the actors in the world, so I'm not sure I buy that argument either. Cool for her but I too had to leave the room instead of watching her meltdown on stage.
Posted by: Joe at March 26, 2002 1:55 AM
I dunno....I thought it was nice. I prefer to see real emotion on the stage than the ersatz humility and gratitude so often displayed.
In an industry that so often just celebrates itself, it's nice to see anyone win in a "small" movie where they are actually stretching. Remember, Halle is a beautiful woman and could easily get away with continuing with such mindless fare as "Swordfish".
Posted by: marshall at March 26, 2002 12:24 PM
