Anything else would have been a real surprise: Long before the glamorous Oscar night, Joaquin Phoenix (45) was the only favorite for the "Best Actor" award. For his haunting performance as a Batman nemesis "Joker", he was consequently allowed to raise him into the night sky, his first Oscar. Long overdue, he had been nominated three times before ("Gladiator", "Walk the Line", "The Master"). However, Phoenix did not use his time on stage for a speech of thanks, but for a blazing plea for more cohesion, for nature and animal protection.
He ended his speech with a shaky voice and a quote from his brother, River Phoenix (1970-1993), who died much too early. Also nominated were Antonio Banderas (59, "Sorrow and Glory"), Leonardo DiCaprio (45, "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood"), Adam Driver (36, "Marriage Story") and Jonathan Pryce (72, " The two popes "). None of them should have had too high hopes, however. A similar mood prevailed among the nominated actresses in the royal discipline.
Zellweger wins second Oscar
Scarlett Johansson (35, "Marriage Story") was left out as both a supporting and leading actress. And Cynthia Erivo (33, "Harriet"), Saoirse Ronan (25, "Little Women") and Charlize Theron (44, "Bombshell – The End of the Silence") were not allowed to cheer.
Like Phoenix, Renée Zellweger (50, "Judy") had cleared all major awards for her role as Hollywood icon Judy Garland (1922-1969). Almost obligatory that she was also able to receive the Oscar for "Best Actress" for her performance in the biopic "Judy". It is her second golden boy after 2004, at that time she was awarded for best supporting actress for "On the way to Cold Mountain" (2003).