Oscar Buzz -- Presenters in Tribes of Five
Monday, February 23, 2009
Maybe it's because I have a deep need for personal affirmation and validation. .
Or maybe it's because I've studied the theater arts, and I know the difficult unveiling and out-pouring that comes when giving a character one's own heart and soul, flesh and blood . . .
Or maybe it's because in our society, building others up instead of tearing them down is so incredibly rare.
It could be any or all of these reasons that explain why, when previous-year Oscar winners presented words of honor and thanks to last night's Oscar nominees, I wept.
Seriously, I forgot all about who looked "glitzy" or "gawdy" or "Best-Dressed-List-Glamorous" when celebrities stood side by side in tribes of five, much like a Greek Chorus, and offered carefully crafted thoughts about why each hopeful nominee deserved to be on the Oscar-list.
Who wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of Shirley McClain's wise words to Anne Hathaway? "I think you're an amazing example for every young actress in this business, because you're not afraid . . . you're not afraid to show both your dark and your bright side." Anne received the words with tears in her eyes, and hand pressed over her heart.
Or who wouldn't covet Robert DeNiro's knowing encouragement of Sean Penn? "Tonight it's important to be a great actor. In life it's more important to be a great human being. And that's my friend, Sean Penn." Sean's eyes certainly weren't dry.
I love Goldie Hawn. Her words to Tiraji P. Henson in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't disappoint: "You reminded us that Love is unconditional, timeless, and ageless, and a really very special gift to be treasured. . . and so are you."
Okay, so maybe a few of the presenters were stiff, awkward and "off." Like Nicole Kidman's stoic summary of "The Changling" that left Angelina Jolie without a single buoying word. I have to wonder if Kidman, after listening to the other four presenters, silently panicked because she finally--on stage, with teleprompter starting to scroll--understood the assignment, which was: not to describe the movie, but to commend Angelina's performance in it?
Angelina smiled like she didn't care. But, I wonder if laying in bed that night, she got the funny feeling that somehow even though there was only one award, all the other nominees, but for her, walked away "winners." Ouch. I think we all covet words of knowing praise.
Can you imagine words of blessing spoken over a key moment or season of your own life? And spoken by women or men who've gone before you, people who know on a certain level what you've been through, or who "get" what you're about? To hear the words, "Wow! Look at what you've survived! I honor you. I recognize the hard choices you've had to make. I respect the way you've carried yourself with dignity and grace. How amazing that you stood up when you felt like caving in."
Or words like, "You, my friend, are noticed and valued. The world is better off because of your unique way of living, celebrating, and surviving. Receive these words of honor and hold them close to your heart, because you sooooo deserve them."
Okay, I know that life isn't an awards show. But I thank the Oscar-organizers for giving actors and actresses more than a gold statue. Thank you for honoring all the nominees with the opportunity to hear from their fellow actor's hearts: words of acknowledgement, compliment, and critical acclaim.
And thanks for reminding the millions of us who watched the Oscars, that with our words, we can honor each other--everyday--in the same way.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
Or maybe it's because I've studied the theater arts, and I know the difficult unveiling and out-pouring that comes when giving a character one's own heart and soul, flesh and blood . . .
Or maybe it's because in our society, building others up instead of tearing them down is so incredibly rare.
It could be any or all of these reasons that explain why, when previous-year Oscar winners presented words of honor and thanks to last night's Oscar nominees, I wept.
Seriously, I forgot all about who looked "glitzy" or "gawdy" or "Best-Dressed-List-Glamorous" when celebrities stood side by side in tribes of five, much like a Greek Chorus, and offered carefully crafted thoughts about why each hopeful nominee deserved to be on the Oscar-list.
Who wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of Shirley McClain's wise words to Anne Hathaway? "I think you're an amazing example for every young actress in this business, because you're not afraid . . . you're not afraid to show both your dark and your bright side." Anne received the words with tears in her eyes, and hand pressed over her heart.
Or who wouldn't covet Robert DeNiro's knowing encouragement of Sean Penn? "Tonight it's important to be a great actor. In life it's more important to be a great human being. And that's my friend, Sean Penn." Sean's eyes certainly weren't dry.
I love Goldie Hawn. Her words to Tiraji P. Henson in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't disappoint: "You reminded us that Love is unconditional, timeless, and ageless, and a really very special gift to be treasured. . . and so are you."
Okay, so maybe a few of the presenters were stiff, awkward and "off." Like Nicole Kidman's stoic summary of "The Changling" that left Angelina Jolie without a single buoying word. I have to wonder if Kidman, after listening to the other four presenters, silently panicked because she finally--on stage, with teleprompter starting to scroll--understood the assignment, which was: not to describe the movie, but to commend Angelina's performance in it?
Angelina smiled like she didn't care. But, I wonder if laying in bed that night, she got the funny feeling that somehow even though there was only one award, all the other nominees, but for her, walked away "winners." Ouch. I think we all covet words of knowing praise.
Can you imagine words of blessing spoken over a key moment or season of your own life? And spoken by women or men who've gone before you, people who know on a certain level what you've been through, or who "get" what you're about? To hear the words, "Wow! Look at what you've survived! I honor you. I recognize the hard choices you've had to make. I respect the way you've carried yourself with dignity and grace. How amazing that you stood up when you felt like caving in."
Or words like, "You, my friend, are noticed and valued. The world is better off because of your unique way of living, celebrating, and surviving. Receive these words of honor and hold them close to your heart, because you sooooo deserve them."
Okay, I know that life isn't an awards show. But I thank the Oscar-organizers for giving actors and actresses more than a gold statue. Thank you for honoring all the nominees with the opportunity to hear from their fellow actor's hearts: words of acknowledgement, compliment, and critical acclaim.
And thanks for reminding the millions of us who watched the Oscars, that with our words, we can honor each other--everyday--in the same way.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
