Analysis

Oscars: Time's Up is built to last in Hollywood and beyond

Attendees at the Academy Awards spoke of a cultural change in society between women and men, to rapturous applause.

Greg Milam

Chief North of England correspondent @GregMilamSky

Monday 5 March 2018 07:34, UK

Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek in of the show's most powerful moments
Image: Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek in of the show's most powerful moments
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It was predicted to be one of the most political Oscars awards shows ever.

In the end, there were no fireworks on Hollywood's biggest night.

The Time's Up movement - which the organisers had promised would feature but not dominate - ran as a seam throughout the show.

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Shape of Water and Frances McDormand triumph

The issues of harassment and mistreatment, dragged into the limelight by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, have been impossible to ignore this awards season.

Host Jimmy Kimmel's opening monologue - suggesting the Oscar statuette was the least threatening male in Hollywood - showed the industry is ready to laugh at the scandal which has rocked it to its core.

But the presence of Time's Up grandees Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Salma Hayek was a powerful and defining statement that the cultural shift is built to last in Hollywood and beyond.

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:: Who won what? The key winners

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Oscars 2018: Story of the night

Talking of powerful, Frances McDormand used her platform as winner of the Oscar for best actress to call on her fellow female nominees to stand and take a bow - and pushed them to call for an equal deal.

On the subject of the treatment of women, one off-note for the Academy was the win for basketball legend Kobe Bryant. A petition had called for him to be withdrawn over a sexual assault case 15 years ago.

Last year we expected Donald Trump to dominate the Oscars. This year, there were brief nods to immigration and the status of the so-called "dreamers" but the tone was moderate.

  1. Jennifer Lawrence waves to the crowd
    Image: Jennifer Lawrence waves to the crowd
  2. Saoirse Ronan chose a baby pink number
    Image: Saoirse Ronan chose a baby pink number
  3. US singer Andra Day
    Image: US singer Andra Day
  4. Danny Glover and Lakeith Stanfield
    Image: Danny Glover and Lakeith Stanfield
  5. Ashley Judd opted for a deep purple gown
    Image: Ashley Judd opted for a deep purple gown
  6. Matthew McConaughey
    Image: Matthew McConaughey
  7. US figure skater Mirai Nagasu with US Olympic medallist Adam Rippon
    Image: US figure skater Mirai Nagasu with US Olympic medallist Adam Rippon
  8. Meryl Streep was in red as she waved to the crowd
    Image: Meryl Streep was in red as she waved to the crowd
  9. Actor Sam Rockwell and actress Viola Davis, who brightened the scene in hot pink
    Image: Actor Sam Rockwell and actress Viola Davis, who brightened the scene in hot pink
  10. Whoopi Goldberg went for a multi-coloured gown alongside Alex Martin's grey outfit
    Image: Whoopi Goldberg went for a multi-coloured gown alongside Alex Martin's grey outfit
  11. Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was stunning in a gold gown with black trim
    Image: Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o was stunning in a gold gown with black trim
  12. Actress and singer Mary J Blige was in white
    Image: Actress and singer Mary J Blige was in white
  13. Allison Janney brightened the screen in a bright red dress
    Image: Allison Janney brightened the screen in a bright red dress
  14. US-Pakistani stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon
    Image: US-Pakistani stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife Emily V Gordon
  15. Haley Bennett had a 'back to the forest' look
    Image: Haley Bennett had a 'back to the forest' look
  16. Jennifer Garner was in a flowing blue dress
    Image: Jennifer Garner was in a flowing blue dress
  17. Daniel Kaluuya opted for some bright colour, with a copper-coloured suit
    Image: Daniel Kaluuya opted for some bright colour, with a copper-coloured suit
  18. Nicole Kidman wore a deep blue gown
    Image: Nicole Kidman wore a deep blue gown
  19. Brit Emily Blunt chose a prim grey dress
    Image: Brit Emily Blunt chose a prim grey dress
  20. Director Steven Spielberg is a veteran of the Oscars scene
    Image: Director Steven Spielberg is a veteran of the Oscars scene

The gimmick of taking stars to surprise cinema-goers in the theatre next door was cute but it is not what will live in the memory.

One highlight for film fans will have been the win, at the 14th attempt, of a first Oscar for British cinematographer Roger Deakins.

The presence of director Greta Gerwig and cinematographer Rachel Morrison as nominees was rightly noted as historic but there were not the wins to take it to a new level.

Similarly, the progress the Academy has made on diversity was recognised, but there is no doubt there is much further to go.

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Kimmel: 'The world is watching us'

For many, the double act of Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolph on the issue of race in Hollywood will have been a highlight.

And it was Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren who summed up that other theme of the night.

They spoke of the cultural change during their lives "in society and now, between women and men, in public and in private" and received a rapturous reception.

Hollywood is certainly changing and they hope it is changing for good.

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