After the Show, a Much-Needed Break
Guests may have lingered longer than usual at the Governors Ball, the first pit stop on the post-Oscar party circuit, if only because they needed to refuel after the four-hour Oscar broadcast.
“This is incredible,” said “American Beauty’s” Wes Bentley, of the tented space decorated with sail-shaped banners reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House. “Last year, I was sitting at home worrying about what I was going to buy for lunch the next day.”
Best actor Kevin Spacey, who seemed overwhelmed by the media crush, had to sit down en route to his table to send an e-mail on a hand-held gizmo. “What I really need is a good vodka tonic,” he said. (E-mailing his order to the bar?)
Every year, the Governors Ball outdoes itself with bizarre desserts. And this year’s was a Stonehenge-like concoction, complete with blinking lights.
Although Angelina Jolie was not surprised by comments that her black dress looked like something Morticia would wear, she was taken aback by her best supporting actress win. “It’s hard to imagine people would be rooting for the black sheep in this film,” she said.
Outside, in the hall of the Shrine, Oscar hero Willie Fulgear, who found the missing statuettes in a dumpster, looked dapper in a top hat and tails. “I’m not a dumpster guy,” he said. “I was an engineer for years before I got laid off.” And if anyone’s interested, he’s now looking for someone to publish his story.
The Party Line: Michael Caine’s acceptance speech was soooo gracious! “I don’t write speeches, I just speak from my heart,” Caine said. “I thought about it when I was watching [the film clips]. I was seeing the best bits of all of us and I sat there and thought, there is no real winner here. It’s not like I’m there with four lemons.”
Also on the Ticket: Harvey Weinstein, self-described as “happy and healthy,” Ed Norton and Salma Hayek snuggling at the “American Beauty” table, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Fiona Apple and Paul Thomas Anderson, and Faye Dunaway.
