The 97th Academy Awards night was full of surprises, with the indie film “Anora” stunning everyone by winning five Oscars. Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her performance in “Anora,” an unexpected victory over Demi Moore. Sean Baker became the second person to win four Oscars in a single night.
Conan O’Brien’s hosting was a blend of humor and sincerity. He delivered humorous moments while also addressing serious topics like the Los Angeles wildfires. He also made a jab at Donald Trump.
The “No Other Land” team delivered a powerful message of peace, highlighting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Adrien Brody spoke out against “systematic oppression,” antisemitism, and racism. Zoe Saldaña paid tribute to her cultural heritage and her grandmother.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Defying Gravity” was a standout musical moment. Kieran Culkin’s humorous speech, where he joked about wanting more children, was a lighthearted moment.
The show’s pacing was uneven, particularly during the James Bond tribute. The omission of Michelle Trachtenberg from the In Memoriam segment was notable.
Conan O’Brien’s various comedic lines, Amy Poehler’s humorous comment on screenwriting, Daryl Hannah’s “Slava Ukraine!”, June Squibb’s self-deprecating humor, and Conan O’Brien’s Drake and Kendrick Lamar joke were memorable quotes of the night.
In summary, the 97th Academy Awards was a night of surprises, powerful speeches, and entertaining moments, with “Anora” being the unexpected big winner.
