In one of the most bizarre Oscar nights in recent memory, the show ended on quite a low note without a doubt. As last year’s best actor award winner, Joaquin Phoenix announced that Anthony Hopkins was the winner for best actor for his performance in “The Father”.
That was all good and great, except Mr. Hopkins was nowhere to be found to make an acceptance speech. Essentially Phoenix had nothing else to do, but cut the final credits, and all of us watching at home called it a night. Getting the last award winner wrong doesn’t seem like such a bad finale when you compare it to what we saw last night.
The 83-year-old actor was fast asleep by the time that the final award of the night was announced. Which, is not a surprising statement, when you factor in his age. In Hopkin’s defense, he was actually, and still is, in his native Wales. When he was announced as the winner it was 4 in the morning local time for him.
It wasn’t like he was at the theater, but called it a night early. Although at 83 making it through some of those legendary Oscar after-parties could’ve been a big challenge. Not attending the ceremony altogether was probably a good call.
Better late than never though. This morning Mr. Hopkins did release a video from what looked like a golf course in his native Wales, to serve as an acceptance speech for his award.
In the quick video, Hopkins mentioned that he was as surprised as anyone that he had won. Claiming, “At 83 years of age I did not expect this”. While also taking time to honor fellow nominee Chadwick Boseman. Hopkins may not have been the favorite to take home the award coming into the night.
Coming into the night many people expected Chadwick Boseman to be awarded the Oscar for best actor. Just like we sadly saw happen with Heath Ledger when he was awarded an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in the Dark Knight, after his untimely passing.
The debate leading up to the show with Boseman was whether or not the performance was oscar-worthy in itself or his win could ultimately be attributed to his passing. At the end of the day, there is no doubt that Hopkins’ performance in “The Father” was extraordinary. Apparently too much so to pass up for the Academy.
In the past few years, the end of the Oscars left a lot of people talking. Granted, an argument could be made that it was for the wrong reasons. Since getting the most important award of the night wrong is certainly not ideal.
This year though we got a curtain call that left many people wanting more. If the Academy knew that Hopkins was the winner and that he was nowhere to be found, why did they change the order that the awards are given out? In any case, that’s what we got there’s not much that can be done now.
This #Oscars ending was worse than the La La Land / Moonlight fiasco.
This was ball on the one yard line and throwing an interception. pic.twitter.com/UGqU5ZsfXp
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) April 26, 2021
