Like Robert Downey, Jr., it was pretty much a clean sweep this award season for Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Like RDJ, she was prepared – you don’t win everything right up to the Oscars without at least allowing for the possibility that it might happen on the biggest night.
But this is where magic can happen in the place of smugness. RDJ went up there to accept his Oscar with a lack of sincerity that bordered on aggressive. Da’Vine Joy Randolph opened the show and threw down an acceptance speech without a single “um” or “uh” which meant that she had of course thought about what she wanted to say…and still managed to deliver it like it just came off the top of her head. Sure, she’s an actor – but we’re all cynical enough by now, I think, to be able to tell when a person is generally moved by what they have achieved.
And this is what was so powerful about Da’Vine’s moment: she believed it, that she earned it. And still, even though she is aware of what she deserves and what she can do, she also understands what she can’t control: “I pray to God that I get to do this more than once.”
Da’Vine knows that even though she’s won, more often than not, it’s only one. This is both gratitude and realism, such a fine balance to hit on the Oscar stage with the trophy in your hand – and that’s why we bought it. That’s why my beloved Paul Giamatti was moved to tears, having just escorted her up to receive it.
Speaking of Paul, I know you all love Cillian Murphy, to the point where even my cousin Cat, who is currently on holiday having the time of her life, texted me about Cillian on Oscar morning, I would have preferred to see Paul win Best Actor, and not only because I’m obsessed with him and his girlfriend, Clara Wong. If you’ve seen The Holdovers, you get it.
So long, Team Holdovers, but definitely not so long for Dominic Sessa who seems determined to stay as long as he can in the 70s. Please, just appreciate Dominic Sessa’s serve at the Vanity Fair party.
