Nominees and their plus ones sit front and center at the show. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway take the stage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“Country Strong” star Gwyneth Paltrow with friends backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Oscar producers Don Mischer, left, and Bruce Cohen walk and talk. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Host and nominee James Franco pauses for a picture with Oscar producer Bruce Cohen. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Actress Halle Berry on the move. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Presenter Robert Downey Jr. checks his notes. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Supporting actress winner Melissa Leo in the spotlight. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Melissa Leo shares a moment with Kirk Douglas onstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Melissa Leo takes the winners’ walk backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Hudson watches the ceremony on television. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jake Gyllenhaal stops for a snapshot with Robert Downey Jr. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Lead actress winner Natalie Portman walks hand in hand with fiance Benjamin Millipied. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“Arthur” stars Russell Brand and Helen Mirren share a moment backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Audrey Marrs and Charles Ferguson win for documentary for “Inside Job.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem, who starred together in “No Country for Old Men,” present onstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Aaron Sorkin wins the Oscar for adapted screenplay for “The Social Network.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“King’s Speech” writer David Seidler wins the award for original screenplay. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Susanne Bier wins for foreign language film for “In a Better World.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Christian Bale accepts the supporting actor award for “The Fighter.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Reese Witherspoon and Christian Bale backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross accept the award for original score for their work on “The Social Network.”(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Rick Baker, left, and Dave Elsey win an Oscar for achievement in makeup. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Supporting actress nominee Amy Adams. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Presenter Cate Blanchett of “Robin Hood” gives Rick Baker and Dave Elsey their Oscar for achievement in makeup. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“Casino Jack’s” Kevin Spacey introduces “Tangled” stars Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Mandy Moore, the voice of Rapunzel in “Tangled.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Presenter and media magnate Oprah Winfrey backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“The Social Network’s”Justin Timberlake backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
The 2006 lead actress Oscar winnerReese Witherspoon and this year’s winner for actor in a supporting roleChristian Bale backstage.(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Lead actress nominee Annette Bening backstage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Statuettes backstage at the 83rd Academy Awards. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hilary Swank watches from the back. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“The King’s Speech” director Tom Hooper and writer David Seidler celebrate their big wins. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Natalie Portman pauses before heading to the stage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Natalie Portman wins for lead actress for her role in “Black Swan.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Colin Firth heads to the stage. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Colin Firth wins lead actor for his role in “The King’s Speech.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway share an embrace. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
