“He’s baaaaack!” Billy Crystal attempted to bring back his classic style of class and humor in his ninth turn hosting the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Mimicking, and at times poking fun of, himself the show opened with a classic Crystal film and musical montage. Billy, even asked the audience, “did you really think I wasn’t going to do this?” Despite his efforts, Crystal’s methods fit in with a night paying tribute to a bygone era of Hollywood.
Tinseltown seemed to be at a loss of its own identity last night. The show was clearly designed to look back at the glory days including an ever-changing art deco set on stage complete with old-fashioned marquee, ticket booth, and even usherettes strolling the aisles of the Kodak Theatre. Amongst tribute after tribute to what Hollywood has been, Crystal quipped about changes in the industry including mocking Kodak for recently filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
“… back when movies were actually made on film,” Crystal quipped at one point, both as a stab to Kodak and to point out the digital evolution of cinema. “People now watch movies on their cell phones,” he added. “I much prefer the big screen… my iPad.” While these may have been meant in a humorous fashion, it further added to the overall feeling that the LA-based industry is feeling sorry for itself at the evolution it itself created.
Numerous times it was mentioned that movies are about “going to the theatre” and “sitting in a darkened room” with others sharing in the experience of a story playing out before you. To further this point, modern actors were shown, appropriately enough against a black background, talking about their favorite past experiences going to the movies. As one last death-rattle of self-defeat, The Academy nominated for best picture a tribute to the films of George Melies and a black-and-white silent film. The Academy president, Tom Sherak, came out for an obligatory short-but-sweet, and completely emotionless speech, of thanks and hope for the industry. But even this seemed forced; almost as though the burden of a dying industry was on his shoulders alone.
Ironically appropriate then that this night also celebrated the first-ever Oscar win for Christopher Plummer at 82-years old, the oldest Oscar recipient. Also the third win for Meryl Streep on her record-setting 17th nomination, and a writing award for Woody Allen. It was clear that this was a night for reflection and honoring the old-guard, while still trying to encourage a new generation with a nomination for some newcomers in the writing and acting areas and statuettes for the international contingent and up-and-comers in the short-film categories.
This year’s Oscar telecast said more about the state of the industry than it did about honoring those who are the best in their profession. It’s sad to see such passionate patrons come together for a pity party. But, Hollywood, you created this mess. The demand for more money, new formats to exploit your content, new ways to shove product at the oversaturated consumer, you created home theater. Don’t complain now that there is no one going to see movies in the theater because they can do so from the comfort of their home for less. You created that mess. If you want change, give us a reason to go back to the movies.
This year, we went back. We went back to silent film. We went back to George Melies. We went back to Billy. If you still believe in Hollywood, it’s going to take more than a few wishful audience members clapping their hands to save the movies before its projection-light goes out.
