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In an alternate and ideal cinematic reality, movie fans across the globe this morning would be talking about the Best Picture win for director Sian Heder’s CODA or Summer of Soul winning a rightly deserved Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. And hey, what about Jane Campion getting some love from the members of the Academy for her love-it-or-hate-it Western Power of the Dog? Best Director looks good on you, Ms. Campion. Dune had a good night in the visual effects and sound departments and (not to mention significant wins for cinematography and original score), and a big high-five for Best Actor winner Troy Kotsur (for CODA) and Best Actress Jessica Chastain (for The Eyes of Tammy Faye). These were all hard-earned wins for some mighty talented folks and in aforementioned better reality this is what would have tongues a-wagging today. Sadly, some real life messiness reared its ugly head during last night’s telecast of the 94th Annual Academy Awards and, unlike a foiled shot on a movie set, there are sadly no second takes to correct a moment that sullied an institution that prides itself in professionalism.
With a little help from our pals over at The Hollywood Reporter – and ye olde pop culture scribblers own viewing of what is now being referred to as “the slap seen ‘round the world” –we can reiterate now what everyone already knows: Will Smith – one of the best actors of his generation who has delivered Oscar-worthy work over the years ranging from Six Degrees of Separation, Where the Day Takes You, Ali, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Legend of Bagger Vance and I Am Legend – lost his composure at the live Oscar ceremony during comedian Chris Rock’s standup bit when the former Oscar host made a quip about his wife’s appearance. In what many first believed to be some sort of a joke, Smith stormed the stage and walked up to Rock, striking the funny man across the face. Stunned silence immediately followed the attack, followed by Smith returning to his seat and telling Rock loudly to “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
It was a shocking and very public outburst from an actor who is normally praised for his cool demeanor and ability to let things roll off his shoulders. The ceremony continued on, with an unflappable Rock quickly regaining his composure before announcing the next award. Yet the damage from Smith’s assault on the Dogma star left a pall on the remainder of the evening, sullying even Smith’s first Oscar win for his deft work in King Richard, where the tearful thespian apologized to his fellow nominees (but not, tellingly, to Chris Rock). The moment of violence also cast a dark cloud over the nominees and winners for the night, all but relegating them to a footnote.
Stars were quick to react, with actress Mia Farrow calling the attack on Rock “Oscar’s ugliest moment.”
Director and Oscar nominee (for Don’t Look Up) Judd Apatow didn’t pull his punches when he referred to the shocking moment as “pure out of control rage,” a sentiment shared by fellow director Rob Reiner (Stand By Me) who called on Smith to apologize to Rock: “There is no excuse for what he did. He’s lucky Chris is not filing assault charges. The excuses he made tonight were bullshit.”
As for Will Smith, newly minted Oscar winner – He could not be reached by any outlet immediately after the ceremony for comment: The Fresh Prince star was reportedly dancing at the Vanity Fair Oscar after-party to his own songs, his thoughts and rationale a mystery to all.
