SEVENTH OSCAR HEAVEN FOR OPPENHEIMER EPIC

LOS ANGELES. — Oppenheimer capped off a big night Sunday by winning three of the night’s last four Oscar categories, including being named Best Picture.

The period blockbuster won seven statuettes in all, after coming in as the favorite of the field with 13 nominations.

It won Best Director for Christopher Nolan, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr as well as prizes for Editing, Cinematography and Score.

“Any of us who make movies know that you kind of dream of this moment,” producer Emma Thomas said in accepting the night’s final trophy.

“But it seemed so unlikely that it would actually happen. And now I’m standing here, and everything’s kind of gone out of my head.”

Oppenheimer came into the ceremony as a favourite to capture an armful of statuettes, including in some of the top categories.

The film received 13 nominations and has continued its momentum throughout awards season, following its long run and managing the remarkable feat of grossing more than US$950 million at the global box office despite a threehour running time, long sections shot in black and white, and a script packed with dialogue about nuclear physics.

Before the win in the final marquee category, Nolan and Murphy had their moments to reflect with their individual wins — the first Oscars for both.

“We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb and, for better or worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world,” Murphy said in accepting his trophy.

“So, I would really like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”

As the crowd applauded, he hoisted his Oscar above his head.

Oppenheimer did well in the craft categories with Hoyte van Hoytema capturing the statuette for Cinematography and Jennifer Lame landing her first win from her first career nomination for Editing.