Oppenheimer film cleans up at Oscars
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy nabbed their first Academy Awards yesterday as their epic biopic Oppenheimer led the night with seven Oscars.
Murphy claimed the gong for leading actor for his portrayal of the physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb during World War II.
“For better or worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world,” Murphy said in his speech, which he dedicated “to the peacemakers everywhere”.
The 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles was delayed by several minutes after demonstrations over Israel’s war in Gaza disrupted nominees’ route to the red carpet. Pro-Palestine protesters blocked major streets leading to Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, forcing some stars to abandon their vehicles and make their way on foot.
Murphy, 47, praised his rival nominees, Bradley Cooper in Maestro, Jeffrey Wright in American Fiction, Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers, and Colman Domingo in Rustin. It caps a triumphant awards season for the Irish actor, who also picked up a Golden Globe, Bafta and Screen Actors Guild award for his leading role.
London-born Nolan, 53, had waited decades to be recognised by the Academy, despite garnering critical acclaim throughout his career and being nominated five times since 2001.
However, his best director win was widely expected. Oppenheimer had been the critics’ favourite since its release, bringing in nearly US$1 billion (NZ$1.62b) worldwide at the box office.
As well as claiming awards for best director and best actor, it won best picture, best supporting actor, cinematography, editing and original score.
It was also a successful night for Poor Things, which won four Oscars, including a leading actress award for Emma Stone.
The highest grossing film of 2023, Barbie, claimed just one award with Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? in the best original song category.
In a night of firsts, Robert Downey Jr also claimed his first Oscar for a supporting role in Oppenheimer. “Here’s my little secret. I needed this job more than it needed me,” he told the audience.
At 83, film-maker Hayao Miyazaki earned a historic Oscar for The Boy and the Heron. The Japanese anime master was the oldest director yet nominated for the category. – The Telegraph