Rivals for the Oscar but all nominees lunch together

More than 150 nominees have attended the annual luncheon of the 87th Oscar awards organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences helping them find some relaxation ahead of the excitement of the awards night on Feb. 22.

One of the major absences at the luncheon held Monday at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles was Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, director of ‘Birdman’, who is currently shooting ‘The Revenant’ in Canada with Leonardo DiCaprio.

However, Michael Keaton and Emma Stone did not hesitate to highlight the role of the Mexican director in their nominations for ‘Birdman’ as best actor and best supporting actress, respectively.

“In the beginning, he was passionate and crazy, and in the end I was more passionate and crazy (...) He has become a great friend. He is sweet, tough and a perfectionist. He has a great heart,” said Keaton.

At the Beverly Hilton press room were also present British actors Eddie Redmayne a favorite to win the best actor award along with Keaton and Felicity Jones, both nominated for ‘The Theory of Everything.’

According to Jones, the best part about the awards season for her was meeting singersongwriter Patti Smith of whom she is “a huge fan”.

Other actors who shared a few minutes with the media before entering the banquet were Bradley Cooper who admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the success of ‘American Sniper’ and the controversy surrounding it involving the Iraq war, Rosamund Pike, Marion Cotillard, Laura Dern and J.K. Simmons, among others.

Patricia Arquette, the favorite to win the best supporting actress for ‘Boyhood’ said “ I hope I don’t faint ... just walking in (to the luncheon) I felt like the grownup version of a kid going to Disneyland.”

Reese Witherspoon said that she received the largest number of letters and emails in her career with ‘Wild’ and that she was proud of having launched her own production company with the intention of seeking big femaleoriented roles.

In addition, Steve Carell confirmed that he will look for more risky roles because ‘Foxcatcher’ made him feel fear”and that’s good”, he said, while Robert Duvall refused to explain what he would feel if he won the Oscar because “that is not going to be the case”.

“I’m not going to win, but it’s fine,” said Duvall smiling, knowing that J.K. Simmons appears to be the clear favorite for the best supporting actor for ‘Whiplash’.

Finally, Julianne Moore, with the smile of a virtual winner, talked about the success of ‘Still Alice’ and the message of struggle and resistance expressed by Alzheimer patients.

“This is lovely. The first Oscar luncheon I just had a baby. I wore a day coat. I feel more comfortable now. My children are older. I don’t have to wear something so misshapen,” said Moore.