The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, sought to restore a sense of traditional glamour and fun amid a turbulent Oscar season. The ceremony was marked by O'Brien's enthusiasm for the nominated films and a lighthearted approach that included playful cutaways and a musical number. Though he infused weighty issues like forest fires into discussions, overt political commentary was notably absent. The event was chaotic and excessive, leading to unexpected outcomes, and ultimately, a celebration of the cinematic arts.
O'Brien expressed genuine enthusiasm for the movies nominated and giddy delight in the chance to embrace goofs for goofs sake, including recurring cutaways to John Lithgow.
O'Brien managed to take the job of cheerleading for the industry seriously, giving weight to the impact of the forest fires in Los Angeles, having speakers go long about the work of under-heralded craftspeople.
Political commentary was all but ignored by O'Brien and the others onstage - aside from a few notable exceptions - as was the scandal surrounding Emilia Pérez.
So much of the ceremony was effusive to the point of breathlessness, and it did indeed run long and chaotic, with a wild ride of upsets.
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