"The Artist" become only the second silent film ever to win best picture at tonight's 84th annual Academy Awards, during which the movie picked up five awards, as did Martin Scorsese's "Hugo."
The star-studded ceremony, led by host Billy Crystal, was held tonight in the location formerly known as the Kodak Theatre. Crystal, as he has apt to do, opened the show with a pre-taped segment in which he was inserted in many of this year's nominated films.
The show, which seemed to maintain a quick pace throughout, was punctuated by mostly short speeches and mostly funny interludes.
In addition to best picture, "The Artist" won for best director (Michel Hazanavicius) while French actor Jean Dujardin beat out a tough line-up of nominees led by George Clooney. Also taking home Oscars for their work on the film were Ludovic Bource for original score and Mark Bridges for costume design.
Meanwhile, "Hugo" was awarded for cinematography, art direction, sound mixing, sound editing and visual effects.
In another hotly contested race, 17-time nominee Meryl Streep took home the Oscar for best lead actress for her portrayal of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher over Viola Davis, who was nominated for her work in "The Help."
Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, who were tasked with transforming Streep into Thatcher, were honored with the best makeup Academy Award.
The supporting actor and actress categories both went to the perceived frontrunners in Christopher Plummer for "The Beginners" and Octavia Spencer for "The Help."
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| "The Artist" was named best picture. |
The show, which seemed to maintain a quick pace throughout, was punctuated by mostly short speeches and mostly funny interludes.
In addition to best picture, "The Artist" won for best director (Michel Hazanavicius) while French actor Jean Dujardin beat out a tough line-up of nominees led by George Clooney. Also taking home Oscars for their work on the film were Ludovic Bource for original score and Mark Bridges for costume design.
Meanwhile, "Hugo" was awarded for cinematography, art direction, sound mixing, sound editing and visual effects.
In another hotly contested race, 17-time nominee Meryl Streep took home the Oscar for best lead actress for her portrayal of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher over Viola Davis, who was nominated for her work in "The Help."
Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland, who were tasked with transforming Streep into Thatcher, were honored with the best makeup Academy Award.
The supporting actor and actress categories both went to the perceived frontrunners in Christopher Plummer for "The Beginners" and Octavia Spencer for "The Help."
