Oscar winners 2020

So there you have it – although there were arguably few surprises in the main acting categories, Parasite made history by becoming the first non-English language film to take the Best Picture award (one of its four wins), while The Irishman failed to win with any of its ten nominations.  But I know the real question on everyone’s lips is – how many of my predictions did I get correct?!

When the smoke cleared, I got 6 out of 10 correct, which isn’t my best result, but isn’t my worst either...

Best picture winner – Parasite

My Prediction – 1917

I didn’t think that the Academy would go for a non-English language film for Best Picture, but I was proved wrong!  Rumour has it that my prediction, 1917, was considered too “gimmicky” for the top prize...

Best actress winner – Renee Zellweger (Judy)

My Prediction – Renee Zellweger (Judy)

The Academy loves a biopic and old Hollywood, and Renee Zellweger had been the clear favourite for some time.

Best actor winner – Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

My Prediction – Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

This was a well-deserved win, as Joaquin Phoenix not only carries the entire film with his transformative performance, but it’s a role that he brings so many different shades to.

Best supporting actress winner – Laura Dern (Marriage Story)

My Prediction – Laura Dern (Marriage Story)

Another clear favourite going into the ceremony, and some might say that this was not even Laura Dern’s best role – but there’s no denying that an actress of her calibre deserves the recognition that comes with an Oscar win.

Best supporting actor winner – Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood)

My Prediction – Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood)

As I said, I thought Brad Pitt was better last year in Ad Astra, but nevertheless, he is great in this film and is responsible for at least two of the film’s best scenes.  It was nice to see Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood win a “main” Oscar, as well as a deserved win for Best Production Design.

Best director winner – Bong Joon-ho (Parasite)

My Prediction – Sam Mendes (1917)

The Best Director award often (but not always) follows the Best Film award, so my prediction for 1917 was also wrong for Sam Mendes...

Best adapted screenplay winner – Jojo Rabbit

My Prediction – Little Women

I said this was arguably the closest category to call this year, and that Jojo Rabbit could be a dark horse … but I also thought it would be too much of a leftfield choice for the Academy, so I was wrong about that!  I’m very happy about this well-deserved win for the incredibly talented Taika Waititi though.

Best original screenplay winner – Parasite

My Prediction – Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

I wanted Knives Out to win, I thought Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood would win – but in the end, the award went to Parasite.  In this case, I was just plain wrong!

Best cinematography winner – 1917

My Prediction – 1917

While the Academy may have considered 1917 too “gimmicky” for the Best Picture and Best Director awards, they were obviously more forgiving when it came to the “technical” awards, with the film picking up Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Mixing, alongside Roger Deakins’ win for Best Cinematography.  After 13 Oscar nominations without a win, Roger Deakins now has two statutes!

Best costume design winner – Little Women

My Prediction – Little Women

Despite all of its critical acclaim, Little Women’s only Oscar win was for costume design, which won’t do much to appease those who felt it was unfairly overlooked by the Academy.

I’d also like to give a quick shout out to Toy Story 4 for its well-deserved win for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar, and also to Icelandic cellist and composer Hildur Gudnadottir (Joker) who became the first female to win Best Original Score since 1998.