As far as predicting Best Song awards go, there’s little conventional wisdom to rely on aside from Randy Newman probably being nominated, and a song you probably don’t care about winning. Not so at all this year; no Randy Newman, and a song we’re not entirely apathetic about actually won. Really there was no contest: nothing against the ear droppings from Enchanted, et al, but when a tune provides the central axis for an entire narrative and captures a film’s overall message as did Once‘s “Falling Slowly,” it shouldn’t even be a question. Thankfully, it wasn’t. The Frames’ Glen Hansard and girlfriend, Once co-star, and singing partner Marketa Irglóva took home the gold, and their acceptance speech(es) provided a night highlight. Glen delivered some touching words, and a sour note in Oscar history was avoided when Jon Stewart brought Marketa back out, after commercial break, to make right the orchestra’s ill-timed acceptance speech exit music. She says some nice things about independent musicians. Very awwww.
Soon thereafter the award was given for best soundtrack. If only Jonny Greenwood had been eligible, we could’ve had ourselves a pretty Gummy run at the Oscars for a few minutes. Still, that stretch was amongst the night’s highlights largely for Jon Stewart’s reactive wit; couldn’t find a YouTube that captured it (and unfortunately edited out of the one above), but after Glen’s moving and humble speech Stewart clapped, waited, and delivered: “Wow. That guy is so arrogant.”
Glen and Marketa weren’t the only Europeans winning big last night. Actually, it was practically only Europeans winning big last night: Daniel Day Lewis, Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard (playing Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose), and Tilda Swinton, marking the first and only time since like the ’50s when all four major acting awards were taken by people with cooler accents than us. After the jump, last night’s performance of “Falling Slowly” as well as a few words from fellow Oscar winner Diablo Cody.
Colin Farrell is chuffed, which we’re pretty sure is a good thing:
Brought this to mind for a sec, no? Well another award you maybe care about went to Diablo Cody, who took the statue for Breast Screenplay. Not a typo.
This guy disagrees. Finally and in the show’s most tasteful superlative moment, Heath Ledger beat out Ingmar Bergman for Biggest RIP Montage Applause.
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I’m not sure if you can really call them “indie rockers.” The OST came out on Columbia. Sonically I’m not sure if the song fits the profile, either.
I hate to kill some buzz, but the girl in Once was born in 1988, which means she is currently 19 and was in high school when she got together with Glen Hansard, who was born in 1970. So he is 38 and she is 19. He was more than twice her age (36 vs. 17) when they filmed the movie. Am I the only one who thinks it is weird that this romance gets so much buzz?
they weren’t dating when filming the movie. Also her dad introduced them.
Leave ‘em alone. If they’re fond of each other, what kind of a person would feel compulsed to “kill the buzz”? I, for one, want them to stay together forever and make lovely songs.
dannygutters is right, so it’s really not an issue at all.
Anyway, I like to think that I don’t give two shits about the Oscars anymore (I haven’t watched in years), but I have to admit that them winning kind of made my day when I heard about it.
Glen’s band The Frames, are REAL indie rock. They’ve been doing what Arcade Fire started doing with Funeral about three years ago to so much fanfare since way back in the early 1990s.
And surely, their romantic life is their business and not ours?
By the way, thats not a dig at the Arcade Fire, who are awesome. It’s just Glen is awesome too.
I had commented to my friends about how rude it was that they interrupted her, then stopped to let her speak only after she had already walked away and was too far to run back to the mic. So I was pleasantly surprised when they brought her back out.
Of course, sadly, this was special treatment, as I noticed that others were not provided the same opportunity.
Focus on on the song- it’s beautiful- lyric and harmony- all there. That’s what’s important. 99% of the artists Mp3 blogs chat about go away- why? bad songs and a habit for tangential banter that has nothing to do with music.
@Freddy, at least he didn’t pull a Woody Allen and adopt her first.
Here’s a long version including song, presentation, thank yous, and then second thank yous:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_c40EdLFE
Marketa is wise and mature beyond her years and Glen has admitted himself that he is immature. He said in one interview that songwriters take a long time to grow up. So they are probably perfect for one another. She seems to provide him with the balance he needs. Great for them!!!! Congratulations and enjoy this special time together!