The Oscars are fun for their fantasy, for presenting us with perfectly dressed — or perfectly awfully dressed — beautiful people at an elegant event. But sometimes there are those moments we don’t see coming, where elegance slides into something a little more … awkward. But awkward in a goodish way. Here are five moments from the Oscars in recent years, each with its own brand of awkward.
Melissa Leo Drops the F-Bomb: Refreshingly Awkward
After working as an actress for 26 years, Melissa Leo received top honors at the 83rd Academy Awards as Best Supporting Actress for her work in “The Fighter.” Leo was, understandably, thrilled, as she beat out a strong field, including costar Amy Adams, for the award. And she let that excitement show.
Obviously speaking a few seconds ahead of her brain and more than a little dazed, she swore, as she explained on “Ellen.” I can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s not the first time I’ve heard that word, and frankly the display of real emotion was a reminder that the denizens of Hollywood are, in fact, human, as opposed to non-aging, lovely cyborgs.
James Franco and Anne Hathaway: A for Effort Awkward
When James Franco and Anne Hathaway were announced as the hosts for the 83rd Academy Awards, it’s safe to say there was a collective cry of “huh?” Touted for the idea they would bring in young viewers, the pair set gamely to the task, taking on the material they were given with gusto.
Unfortunately, gusto doesn’t always do it, and the result was something like this sketch; a lighthearted display of talent followed by another collective “huh?” James, if you’re going to go for the dress, at least invest in some falsies. Have some dignity, man.
Roberto Benigni: Joyfully Awkward
When director Roberto Benigni won Best Foreign Language Film for “Life Is Beautiful” at the 71st Academy Awards, he burst from his seat and bounced his way to the stage, chair-back by chair-back, with one of the most genuine, soul-filled grins ever to grace the Academy.
Yes it was a strange moment, and yes, of course, it was awkward in a theater full of people making sure they were doing the right thing in case they ended up on camera, but Benigni did not care. He was happy, and gave the audience that happiness. Strike two for the cyborg theory.
“Music by Prudence” Acceptance Speech: Awkwardly Awkward
You might think the conflict arising from “Music by Prudence” would revolve around Prudence, a disabled Zimbabwean singer, but this winner of the Best Documentary (Short Subject) award at the 82nd Academy Awards could have gotten a bonus award in drama.
Suffering from a bout of creative differences prior to receiving the award, director Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett had not agreed on speaking duties before the show. Burkett created an ad hoc solution, though, by talking while the director was still speaking. Definitely awkward, and not in the good way.
Adrien Brody Kisses Halle Berry: Apply the Sanitizer Awkward
Maybe he was reeling from his win for Best Actor for “The Pianist.” Maybe it was the intoxicating nearness to one of the most beautiful women ever to roam the Earth (it’s a scientific fact; ask People Magazine). Whatever the cause, Adrien Brody grabbed Halle Berry and planted a big one on her, a big one she clearly wasn’t expecting. And it was awkward. Ickily awkward.
Check out coverage of the 84th Academy Awards on Yahoo! Movies