Green Book denies Netflix top Oscar on night of music, diversity
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Road trip movie “Green Book” triumphed over “Roma” to win best the best picture Oscar on Sunday, denying Netflix (NFLX.O) bragging rights as the first streaming service to beat Hollywood at its own game.
Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron was chosen as best director for “Roma,” his sentimental black-and-white journey back to his childhood, and the film won two other Oscars, including for best foreign language.
In the biggest upset of the night, Britain’s Olivia Colman won her first Oscar for her role as petulant monarch Queen Anne in Fox Searchlight (FOXA.O) period comedy “The Favourite,” beating presumed front-runner Glenn Close, who starred in “The Wife.”
“It’s genuinely quite stressful! This is hilarious,” said a visibly shocked Colman. “Glenn Close - you have been my idol for so long, and this is not how I wanted it to be,” she told her fellow actress, sitting in the audience.
Rami Malek won for his role as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in 21st Century Fox (FOXA.O) musical “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The film was the biggest overall winner, with four Oscars, and it also stamped its mark on the show when the group became the first rock band to open an Academy Awards show.
“I may not have been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out,” said Malek, who had been favored to win the award.
Singer issued a statement denying the accusations.
The Oscar ceremony went ahead without a host for the first time since 1989 and instead was filled with powerhouse music performances from Queen, Bette Midler and Jennifer Hudson. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper performed an intimate duet of “Shallow” from “A Star is Born,” which brought Gaga her first Oscar.
“I have worked hard for a long time and it’s not about winning, it’s about not giving up,” said a tearful Gaga. “It’s not about how many times you get rejected. ... It’s about how many times you are brave and you keep on going.”