(CNN) — “Argo,” which was an Oscar also-ran before it caught fire and won practically every guild and organization
award available, took home the big prize at the 85th Academy Awards Sunday night: best picture.
Ben Affleck, who was overlooked for best director, graciously thanked everybody from directing nominee Steven Spielberg
to the country of Canada in his acceptance speech.
Then, after rushing through his thank-yous rather manically, suddenly got emotional. “I had no idea what I was doing. I
was really just a kid. I never thought I’d be back here,” he said of his screenwriting win 15 years ago. “It doesn’t matter
how you get knocked down in life. All that matters is you’ve got to get up.”
Jennifer Lawrence won best actress for her performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She got a burst of applause as she walked to the stage, almost tripping on her long dress as she approached the stage.
“This is nuts! Thank you to the Academy and thank you to the women here,” she said, practically gasping. “Happy
birthday, Emmanuelle!” she added for 86-year-old Emmanuelle Riva of “Amour,” a fellow nominee.
Daniel Day-Lewis won his third best actor Oscar for his performance as Abraham Lincoln in “Lincoln.” He’s the first to
win best actor three times. The audience gave him a rousing cheer as he looked over to presenter Meryl Streep.
“It’s a strange thing, I had actually been committed to play Margaret Thatcher, and Meryl was Steven’s first choice for
Lincoln,” he said to laughter. “I’d like to see that version.”
Streep won best actress last year for playing Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”
Ang Lee won the Oscar for best director for “Life of Pi.” His film earned four Oscars, the most of the night. “Thank you movie god,” he said, praising “all 3,000″ people who worked on the movie with him — as well as Taiwan, where some of the film was shot. The film, a dark horse in the best picture race, also won best score, best cinematography and best visual effects.
James Bond finally became a musical winner.
After five decades and countless hit theme songs, one of them finally won best song at the Oscars: Adele’s “Skyfall,” which she co-wrote with Paul Epworth.
Quentin Tarantino won best original screenplay for “Django Unchained.” “This will be the writers’ year, man,” he said, praising his fellow nominees.
Chris Terrio won adapted screenplay for “Argo,” the film’s second award of the night.
Anne Hathaway won best supporting actress for her performance as the doomed Fantine in “Les Miserables.”
“It came true,” she said, gazing at the trophy.
Shirley Bassey, the original James Bond hit singer, dazzled with a version of “Goldfinger.” Soon after, Jennifer Hudson raised the roof — and got a standing ovation — for a remarkable version of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” from “Dreamgirls.” Hudson won an Oscar for playing Effie, who sings the song, in 2006′s film version.
Adele sang her James Bond theme song, “Skyfall,” and Barbra Streisand sang “The Way We Were” for co-writer Marvin Hamlisch, who concluded the “In Memoriam” segment.
The Oscars also had an unusual occurrence — a tie. It’s happened before — Katharine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand famously tied for 1968′s best actress — but it’s rare enough that presenter Mark Wahlberg was caught off guard.
“We have a tie,” he said, slightly stunned. “No BS, we have a tie.”
This year’s tie was in sound editing, with “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Skyfall” sharing the honor.
