The Hindu : 'Chicago' bags 6 Oscars

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 25, 2003

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'Chicago' bags 6 Oscars

LOS ANGELES MARCH 24. The musical "Chicago" won the Oscar for best film at the Academy Awards but it was a pair of stunning upset victories for "The Pianist" — director Roman Polanski and actor Adrien Brody — that gave the biggest surprises in a ceremony marked by talk of war. For much of this year's awards season in Hollywood, "Chicago" had been a front-runner, and coming into the Oscars it was an odds-on favourite in many top categories with 13 nominations, more than any other film. But its six awards on Sunday came mostly in minor categories, and when star Renee Zellweger lost the best actress award to a tearful Nicole Kidman, star of "The Hours", the musical about a pair of murdering actresses and the media who made them stars, seemed to have lost its steam. Along with best film, "Chicago" got for Catherine Zeta-Jones the best supporting actress prize, and earned Oscars in art direction, sound, costume design and film editing.

Brody's victory marked perhaps the biggest upset over heavily favoured Daniel Day-Lewis for "Gangs of New York" and Jack Nicholson for "About Schmidt", among the nominees. Brody took the stage and gave last year's best actress winner, Halle Berry, a big kiss. "That was better than the gift bag," he said referring to the bags that are full of expensive watches, perfumes and gifts for the winners. But his jokes turned to tears as he remembered making the film and thought about the war in Iraq. He said his experiences had made him "very aware of the sadness" war causes. "Let's pray for a peaceful and swift resolution," he said bringing the audience to its feet.

World events sparked other emotional highlights, including an attack on the U.S. President, George W. Bush, and the war by filmmaker Michael Moore, winner of the best-documentary Oscar for "Bowling for Columbine". Small pins inspired by Picasso's "Dove of Peace" were seen on the lapels and dresses of some people.

Chris Cooper won the best supporting actor award for his role as a scraggly haired, toothless horticultural poacher in "Adaptation".

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