The 73rd Academy Awards (2000): Commentary

<editor's note: The following was my original rolling commentary as the winners were announced. The winners below are presented in logical order, not in the order of announcement. - OG (September 1, 2006)>

Picture

• Gladiator - David H. Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick

How disappointing.

Actor

• Russell Crowe - Gladiator

This bodes well for Gladiator for Best Picture, a victory at this point for any film should be interesting.

Actress

• Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich

No surprises here. Too bad, the last half of the evening has been disappointingly predictable. Maybe Best Picture will be a surprise.

Supporting Actor

• Benicio Del Toro - Traffic

No surprise and indiciation that Traffic could take the Best Picture prize.

Supporting Actress

• Marcia Gay Harden - Pollock

A modest surprise shows us how unpredictable tonight's awards really are.

Director

• Steven Soderbergh - Traffic

This makes for the most suspenseful Best Picture presentation in history...after all, all three Top contenders have 4 each.

Original Screenplay

• Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe

Another down-to-the-wire race settled in a potentially obvious direction.

Adapted Screenplay

• Traffic - Stephen Gaghan

The Top 3 contenders for best picture are now at 3, 4 & 4...this could be quite an interesting battle.

Foreign Film

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Taiwan

Was anyone actually shocked?

Original Song

• "Things Have Changed" - Wonder Boys (Bob Dylan)

Gee...who'd have thought.

Original Score

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun

A great choice and further weakness in Gladiator's mottled hide. At this rate, CTHD could carry away 6 awards, including Best Picture.

Film Editing

• Traffic - Stephen Mirrione

This is an indication that ANY film could win Best Picture now, because Gladiator is no longer a solid front-runner.

Cinematography

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Peter Pau

No surprise and it leads to further hope that Gladiator will succumb to another film.

Art Direction/Set Decoration

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tim Yip

A victory here means that CTHD could end up the big winner in an upset over Gladiator. More early awards could seal the deal, but any sign of weakness could mean great things for Gladiator.

Costume Design

• Gladiator - Janty Yates

Just when things get dismal, Gladiator strikes back. This is a battle royale.

Makeup

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Who knew that the 17 year old category would vote five-time winner Rick Baker a sixth award?

Sound

• Gladiator

No major surprise and indication the Gladiator could be on track to be the film with the fewest wins including Best Picture since Unforgiven.

Sound Effects Editing

• U-571

Not a surprise in a rather unimpressive category.

Visual Effects

• Gladiator

Maybe Gladiator WILL pull it off.

Documentary Feature

• Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport

Ok, history is a lovely winner.

Documentary Short Subject

• Big Mama

Enh. Who knew?

Animated Short Film

• Father and Daughter

An unsuspected victory for a well-liked film.

Live-Action Short Films

• Quiero Ser (I Want to Be...)

There isn't much to say, this doesn't impact much of any part of the Oscars, but is one of the few foreign-language winners in this category.