The Importance of Being Grateful
The 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, held at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, started and ended with a good vibe bang! Jimmy Kimmel entertained from the moment he arrived in a parachute deployed from Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick jet through to the close of the show.
In his opening monologue Kimmel playfully threatened, “If any of you get mad at a joke and decide to come up here, there a few of my friends you’re gonna have to get through first. . .” As he mentioned them, the camera panned to who he described as “Apollo Creed, Michelle Yeoh, The Mandelorian, Spiderman, Fabelman and Guillermo, my right-hand man.” Kimmel cleverly riddled his narrative with snide remarks about last year’s disruptor and two of this year’s absentees.
Gratitude and kindness set the tone for the entire evening beginning with Ke Huy Quan’s moving acceptance speech.
“…Thank you so much to the Academy for this honor of a lifetime. Thank you to my mom for the sacrifices she made to get me here. To my little brother, David, who calls me every day just to remind me to take care of myself: I love you, brother. Thank you to Ken for all of your support and for everything you've done. Thank you to A24, the Daniels, Jamie and Michelle and my Goonies’ brother for life, Jeff Cohen.
I owe everything to the love of my life, my wife, Echo, who month after month, year after year for 20 years, told me that one day my time will come. Dreams are something you have to believe in. I almost gave up on mine. To all of you out there, please keep your dreams alive. Thank you, thank you so much for welcoming me back. I love you. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
The kindness theme emanated from Everything Everywhere All at Once and permeated the theatre. We, the unsuspecting audience, went with the flow of anything could happen as we do every year. Little by little, those of us who watched Everything Everywhere All at Once, may have thought of it as a silly, way way out indie film with googly eyes and a bagel until it proved a profound revelation for the protagonist.
The love vibe essence snowballed as Oscar winners highlighted appreciation for their mothers, parents, children. What a joy to see Jamie Lee Curtis win! In her touching speech she thanked every person in her life who has and continues to love, encourage and support her in doing what she loves. Her generosity induced happy tears as I share that gratitude for every pure heart in my life who has and continues to do the same for me.
Glamourous fashions satisfy what we expect from Hollywood on this annual occasion. Rihanna’s Black ensemble by Maison Margiela by John Galliano and Emily Blunt’s White Valentino gown tied for Best Dressed she/her in my opinion. Lenny Kravitz’ ramped up tuxedo by Saint Laurent and Jaeger-LeCoultre won Best Dressed he/him. I don’t know about you, but I fanned myself to cool off.
Sofia Carson treated us to her sweet, earthy “Applause” delivery. Bravo to Lady Gaga for her raw, brilliant performance of “Hold My Hand,” beautifully bare-faced, hair in a ponytail, in nothing but a black t-shirt and jeans. Rihanna and her Galliano outfit glowed and sparkled as she lulled us with her magical voice and prowess.
In the saddest but important part of the Oscars, we got to say goodbye to and thank stars who left us but whose bright lights will continue to shine. Lenny Kravitz serenaded with his soothing rendition of “Fly Away.”
What a delight to see the reunion pairings of Antonio Banderas and Selma Hayek, Kate Hudson and Janelle Monáe, Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant, Mindy Kaling and John Cho, Jonathan Majors and Michael B. Jordan, Halle Berry and Jessica Chastain and Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan. At long last what a pleasure to see more and more of our diverse, “everything bagel” population in this country represented in Hollywood.
Love and kudos to Andie McDowell for her comfort in her natural self, allowing us women to consider graciously accepting our own, unique beauty at every stage in our lives like several others did or do.
Michelle Yeoh delivered an empowering, impactful speech. “Thank you, thank you. For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that… dreams do come true. And ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime. Never give up.
I wouldn’t be standing here tonight without the Daniels, without A24, without my amazing cast and crew. Without everyone who was involved with Everything Everywhere All at Once.
I have to dedicate this to my mom, all the moms in the world, because they are really the superheroes and without them, none of us would be here tonight…”
Everything Everywhere All at Once, the little film that could, nabbed seven (7) Oscars. Due to the heartwarming speeches and Jimmy Kimmel’s smoothness, this year’s Oscars resulted as my favorite to date. Thank you and great job, Hollywood! Stay on the good foot.
Love, love, love, Marianne