The 2015 Oscar’s may not go down as a classic but it was certainly a good night for the Brits, and in particular one Eddie Redmayne.
Despite a last minute flurry of bets backing Bradley Cooper for his intense role in American Sniper, it was Oscar favourite Eddie Redmayne who picked up the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of scientist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Adding the famous statuette to his already bulging trophy cabinet, the British character actor thanked the Professor and his former wife for letting them turn their inspiring story into a film.
All the best film nominees picked up awards, but the big winner on the night was Birdman, a film telling the story of a fading Hollywood superhero actor trying to make a comeback. The film picked up the award for Best Picture and Best Director.
Boyhood, which won big at the BAFTAs, fared less well on Hollywood’s big night, though actress Patricia Arquette did pick up the Best Supporting Actress award. Julianne Moore won a well-deserved Best Actress award for her role playing a woman diagnosed with dementia in Still Alice.
Quirky British film The Grand Budapest Hotel won four Oscars, including costume and make-up. In the night’s other big category JK Simmons got the award for Best Supporting Actor for Whiplash, giving him a BAFTA/Oscar double.
The 87th Academy Awards certainly won’t go down as a vintage. No one film blew the others away, and many felt Boyhood was unfairly snubbed in not winning more of the night’s big prizes. The host Neil Patrick Harris struggled to get the laughs, and there wasn’t even a blubbing acceptance speech to enjoy. Some excellent films got the recognition they deserved, however, and we were very happy to see Eddie up on there on Hollywood’s biggest stage.