Oscars 2019: ‘Green Book,’ ‘Roma,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Top Winners

Sandra Miska

The decision to not have a host at the 91st Academy Awards may have been a gamble, but it paid off, as the ceremony, which included the presentation of all 24 awards, moved at a refreshingly brisk pace. Despite the controversy surrounding director Bryan Singer, “Bohemian Rhapsody” picked up four Oscars, more than any film, including Best Actor for Rami Malek for his memorizing portrayal of Freddie Mercury. However, “Green Book,” another movie that has received backlash, took the evening’s top prize, Best Picture. The dramedy centered around the unlikely friendship between African-American pianist Don Shirley and his white driver also took Best Original Screenplay, as well Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.

Going into the ceremony, one thing that seemed certain was Glenn Close’s win for her riveting performance as the long-suffering spouse of a famed novelist in “The Wife.” However, in a surprise twist, Olivia Colman won for “The Favourite,” and no one was more surprised than Colman herself, who jokingly called her win “genuinely quite stressful!” Colman’s win ended up being the only one for “The Favourite,” despite ten nominations. Regina King, meanwhile, also received her first-ever Oscar for her emotional performance in “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

Although the Netflix original film “Roma” failed to take Best Picture, despite being considered the frontrunner, writer/director/producer Alfonso Cuarón didn’t go home empty-handed. The auteur took Best Diretor, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Cinematography for this deeply personal film inspired by his childhood in Mexico City.

Spike Lee won Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman,” a long overdue honor for the visionary filmmaker. In his speech, he thanked his grandmother, the college-educated daughter of a slave, for putting him through college.

Another benefit of a host-less ceremony was that there time for the live performances of all five original songs, including a rousing rendition of “I’ll Fight” (“RBG”) from Jennifer Hudson. But it was Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s performance of “Shallow,” the song that ultimately won, that brought down the house, as the chemistry between the pair, who played doomed lovers in “A Star Is Born,” proved to be ever-enduring. The broadcast kicked off with Queen and an electrifying medley of their hits, with Adam Lambert standing in for the late Freddie Mercury.

No film made a bigger cultural impact last year than “Black Panther,” and the superhero movie made history at the 91st Oscars with two of its three wins, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter and production designer Hannah Beachler became the first African-Americans to win in their respective categories, as well as only the second and third African-American women to win Oscars for something other than acting.

The 91st Academy Awards took place Feb. 24 in Los Angeles, CA and aired on ABC.