BLINDSIDED BY IT ALL

Tears ran, applause thundered and a glass ceiling shattered on a historic night as Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to win the director Oscar, for her uncompromising vision of courage under fire in “The Hurt Locker.” It was a moment 82 years in the making on a night when history -- both cinematic and personal -- was in the air. Supporting actress winner Mo’Nique’s flowers were a copy of those Hattie McDaniel wore in 1940 when she became the first African American whom Oscar would honor. Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges and so many others gave emotional thanks to parents, some now gone, who believed in them. The academy also looked to the past, choosing 10 pictures rather than five to compete for the top prize for the first time since 1944, “Casablanca’s” year. But sometimes history shouldn’t repeat itself, and at times the night suffered from the added weight. Our experts assess the highs and lows, whether history or hemlines. -- Betsy Sharkey