In one of the longest – yet captivating – Oscars in recent memory, the amazing award season run for Steve McQueen’s breakout film “12 Years a Slave” ended on the highest of notes. The film took home “Best Picture” honors for the 86th Annual Academy Awards.
Unable to contain his delight, McQueen literally jumped for joy after nervously hurrying through his acceptance speech.
When the film was announced as the winner for the final award of the evening, it was somewhat of a shock considering “Gravity” nearly swept the technical award wins over the course of the evening – including “Best Cinematography,” “Best Editing” and “Best Director” statue for Alfonso Cuarón.
With the win “12 Years a Slave” made history. The film became the first “Best Picture” winner with a black director.
But as the audience rose to its feet for an extended ovation once presenter Will Smith announced that McQueen and company would take home the evening’s top prize, the win proved to be the perfect conclusion for an equally on par Oscar experience.
Host Ellen DeGeneres was downright hilarious and proved up to the task of keeping viewers and the audience engaged for the better part of four hours with antics that included shameless selfies and an Oscar first of ordering pizza about halfway through the show.
This year’s Academy Awards bucked the stuffy and labored stereotype often associated with the film industry’s biggest night. It showcased the capacity for a new Hollywood – diverse, hip and against the grain.
“12 Years A Slave” had a landmark win; Lupita Nyong’o, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams grooved along as rapper/singer/songwriter Pharrell greeted them in their seats as he performed his Oscar Nominated hit “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2” and aside from “Gravity,” it would be the independent films “12 Years a Slave” and “Dallas Buyers Club” that left lasting impressions on the Academy.
Both took home three awards each – and between them dominated the acting awards categories.
Matthew McConaughey won for “Best Actor” and his co-star Jared Leto “Best Supporting Actor” while this year’s awards show darling Lupita Nyong’o took home her first Oscar for her first film portrayal as “Patsey” in “12 Years a Slave.”
“When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me – and every little child – that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” said Nyong’o.
Her win was among the top highlights of the evening as the Kenyan born, Yale trained actress once again delivered a compelling and inspiring speech during the final lap as she swept nearly every major film honor– including The Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards.
“The Best Actress” Award was given to Cate Blanchett – who beat our screen legends Meryl Streep and Judi Dench with her portrayal as the title character in Woody Allen’s latest film “Blue Jasmine.”
“Gravity” went home with the most statues with a total of six awards earned.
A somber surprise was the Oscar fate of “American Hustle.” Although the film earned a staggering 10 nominations, the commercial and critical hit left the 86th Annual Academy Awards empty handed – as did the critically acclaimed film festival favorite “Nebraska,” which earned six nominations.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyer’s Club
Achievement in Costume Design: Catherine Martin, The Great Gatsby
Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling: Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews, Dallas Buyers Club
Animated Short Film: Mr. Hublot
Animated Feature Film: Frozen
Achievement in Visual Effects: Gravity
Live Action Short Film: Helium
Best Documentary Short Subject: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life
Documentary Feature: 20 Feet From Stardom
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year: The Great Beauty, Italy
Achievement in Sound Mixing: Gravity
Achievement in Sound Editing: Gravity
Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Achievement in Cinematography: Gravity, Emmanuel Lubezki
Achievement in Film Editing: Gravity
Achievement in Production Design: The Great Gatsby
Best Original Score: Gravity, Stephen Price
Best Original Song: “Let It Go,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez; Frozen
Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave
Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her
Achievement in Directing: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
