Well, well. I kind of thought we would get a “shock” in the Best Actor category, and by that I mean… I thought Denzel Washington would pull it out. But nope. Casey Affleck won Best Actor for Manchester by the Sea. For what’s it worth, I enjoyed Manchester more than Fences (I couldn’t even get through Fences). Of course Casey’s win says a lot of terrible things about what Hollywood finds acceptable when it comes to white, well-connected dudes. But still, Casey’s performance as a man who was completely dead inside was good.
Casey started out by saying nice things about his fellow nominees, especially Denzel Washington. They did cutaways to all of the other actors, and none of them looked pleased (especially Denzel). Anyway… Casey avoided saying anything political, and he kept it brief.
Casey Affleck gives #Oscars acceptance speech: "I'm really proud to be a part of this community…I'm just dumbfounded that I'm included." pic.twitter.com/TpDF3LHlkR
— ABC News (@ABC) February 27, 2017
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Ugh.
And Denzel’s expression–I’m matching.
I thought his acceptance speech was pretty humble. He seemed genuinely shocked by the win. For what it’s worth he seemed really grateful.
Good! He was honestly so perfect in that movie.
He’s a sexual predator. But… OMG SO GUD MAKE SADFACE.
Amen. Thank you for modulating my disgust with this funny.
I mean who cares if the Oscars are honoring yet another man who has attacked women. As long as Affleck gets an award for playing the exact same sad white dude role that he always plays. Gross. There was nothing special about that role or his acting.
I’m dumbfounded he’s included, too. Denzel looked destroyed. Anyone but the rapist who played the single faceted sad guy deserved this award. Leonardo could have won twice and that would’ve been better.
I despise the guy and wish anyone else had won. But he’s not a rapist. He was a misogynistic jerk to women he worked with and then used his connections to escape any blowback while claiming to be the real victim. There was no violence. Calling him a rapist lessens the word and the act.
He may not be a rapist but have you actually read what he did to those women? You can’t say there was no violence because you weren’t the victims and did not experience what they did. Your words have basically insulted these women. He sounds like a sexual predator and should not be allowed to work in the industry.
Not a rapist (that we know of), but not just mysoginist jerk either. What he did was definitely sexual harassment, and on the worse side of it.
Nowhere did I deny that what he did was wrong or diminish what the women went through so don’t try to spin it that way. Sexual harassment is bad enough without having to make it worse. People stop listening when others don’t stick to the facts. And I stand by my assertion it lessens the horror of rape. Save that for Polanski or Cosby (I know he’s technically still innocent but it looks bad for him) or Affleck if it’s ever alleged/proven that he raped someone.
>>>> People stop listening when others don’t stick to the facts.
Why don’t more people understand this? Exaggerating does not not strengthen your case, it weakens it.
Assert whatever the heck you would like. I’ve seen too many guys in my own personal life where misogynistic acts are just the tip of the iceberg. I remain unapologetic in my assertion.
” People stop listening when others don’t stick to the facts.”
No. You get elected President when you don’t stick to the facts.
And while we’re at it, no, he’s not a rapist. But then you say there was no violence? You may want to re-think that and re-read what he (allegedly) did.
I think there is nothing else to add except Denzel’s face says it all.
Agree a 100%. Very well put, Lacia Can!
Facts matter. Casey Affleck was accused of sexual harassment, not rape. As a survivor of rape, please don’t tell me that it’s the same because it’s not. I’m not arguing that sexual harassment isn’t traumatizing, it is. But rape is a whole different ball game & I’m starting to get annoyed with the comments about Affleck. It bothers me that Casey’s actions have been largel ignored but he’s not a rapist. He’s still problematic & it says a lot that he is able to continue on but Nate Parker cant. The fact that Parker has been shunned & not Affleck is troubling.
Only rape is rape.
Agreed.
Fuck. That. Noise.
I’m disgusted. Can’t believe I stayed up to watch this.
I can’t believe some people actually gave him a standing ovation. Anything would have been better than him.
Denzel tho. 😒
Disgusting! But not surprising. How many Oscars do Woody Allen and Roman Polanski have?
Who is Ben’s blonde date? 😛
the detox nurse?
We are going backwards. I am so so so mad. Effing nepotism and connections and what not… i feel bad for every woman in USA now.
Hollywood is full of sexual predators. Of course they ignored Casey’s history and rewarded his performance.
Smh *sigh*
Aww Hollywood. A place where you denounce a government who doesn’t respect human and civil rights and also give awards to rapists and harassers!
Seriously. Shame on them. Shame on Damon for creating this whitewashing role for his buddy who didn’t deserve it. Shame on Lonergan for wasting his talent on whitewashing this ugly little dude. What a slap in the face to the women co-workers and industry professionals Cackfleck tried so hard to victimize.
And shame on Damon for insisting the media not mention the sexual harassment cases. He is directly involved in this normalization of sexual misconduct of white men.
Didn’t see your comment but ditto a million percent. I’m so angry.
This all the way.
Well they denounce the governments when they’re Republican. They look the other way when the Democrats do it.
This is exactly why I don’t get Hollywood’s feud with Trump.
Yes, I get there are exceptions, but we are talking politics here. HW politics is the same as the one enforced by Trump.
Furthermore, Trump supported the Democrats for a long time. He is friends with the Clintons.
Furthermore, Trump rates the women he meets, I would like to point out once again what a big age difference is between the actress and actor that won for leading roles. Emma Stone, Brie Larson, Jennifer Lawrence, as opposed to Casey Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day Lewis.
And what a difference there is between the ways they are perceived, the men are perceived as fully grown, adult actors, the women are perceived as ingenues, young, fun.
Of course, every 4 or five years we have a long awaited actress like Julianne Moore that is treated more with compassion than praise (by the industry).
Trump was caught admitting what he had done on tape. An admission goes a long way.
Yea this is the Damon/Affleck influence. So happy this movie didn’t win anything else really.
Did everyone see Brie’s face? She looked completely pissed. Denzel looked livid. And the only happy people seemed to be the Manchester group
Just have to look at Trump. The allegations that came out last year and also with his first wife, Ivana. Hollywierd and politicians make me sick.
I’m so pissed even though I knew he would win. Typical hypocracy from Hollywood. Shout from the rooftops of the social injustice going on but give an award to a dude who sexually assaulted two women. Cool.
Hollywood just proved what hypocrites they are. How can they get on their bandstand and denounce Trump as a sexual predator but then reward a sexual harasser a Best Actor Oscar. Oh that’s right, judge him only on his performance….yeah, if he’s a white male.
I share Denzel’s disgust. Anyone other than mumbles Affleck should have won.
Yes, this. It’s been said before that Hollywood doesn’t care about sexual harassment because it’s just business for usual for them. I think that’s a big part of why Affleck succeeded where others didn’t. Having his brother and Damon protecting him was another big part. I hate that he won. Denzel’s disgust was well earned.
You couldn’t get through Fences??! Holy shit that movie had me devastated by the end! Not to sound repetitive, but all of the performances were fantastic, especially Denzel and Viola…
I’ve seen the play multiple times. The film wasn’t a film, it was just an exact recreation of the play shot on a set rather than a stage. The actual footage from Broadway would have been more cinematic.
@Jessie I couldn’t disagree with you more. I think the film was great in that it really made you focus on the characters and their complex relationships. I had no problem with it not being as “cinematic” as you call it. I think maybe it might have taken away the focus on Troy and Rose and their relationship to each other and also lessened the impact of Wilson’s writing, all of which is the natural fabric of the play. The main draw of the film is the writing for sure! I love that this film kinda reminded me of old films that had a lot of intense talking and the camera would really focus on them and makes you really listen to the dialogue very intently. It also felt very intimate, kind of like when you see a play, and I thought it was great to have kept that quality for the film.
The story was great but I was so annoyed at Denzels characters constant ranting. I wanted him to shut up, really.
I called it…
Good for him.
I don’t think he should be deprived of an award (based on his skill) because of allegations which did not result in a conviction. Otherwise, why should any person who is alleged to have committed a crime ever win anything?
@coco they definitely should be deprived.
If people like him gets rewarded ,they would have nothing to fear. They would know that even if they act like monsters, there would be no lack of job or money. If people boycotted them, they would not dare to do those horrible things.
Bill Cosby was never convicted, either. Only more than fifty women came forward. All the awards to Cosby!
*sarcasm*
The only reason why he didn’t get convicted (something that’s difficult per se in the muddy legal waters when it comes to sexual harassment) is because he settled out of court, and settling is usually the best outcome for victims in these cases.
Even if he’s not legally a criminal, he’s at best very morally compromised. And maybe it would matter less if all the same celebrities that were applauding him last night didn’t pretend to be moral beacons when talking about the conservative republicans they don’t like.
Oh so wrong. He would never have been convicted because he was not charged with a criminal offense. Yes, he was charged with breaking a law but he was not charged with a crime. There is a huge difference.
Denzel looked unhappy and disgusted, as any decent person should be. Actually, none of the nominees looked happy for Affleck nor had enough in them to feign a smile. He must not be very well liked in the industry.
I like him and Um glad he won. I’m sorry I know everyone will hate me for saying that but the allegations are just allegations at this point right?
No, they are not just allegations. Look up the transcripts. Affleck does not dispute the testimony given, but managed to settle out of court.
They are just allegations. Absolutely nothing was proven. The vast majority of workplace sexual harassment cases settle because the courts push the parties to do so. This is what I do for a living.
Roman Polanski. Woody Allen. Casey Affleck. Hollywood certainly embraces, and rewards, the sexual predators.
This^^
MTE
I love Denzel and loved his reaction. I think it was part frustration (at not winning) and part disgust.
Since when was an acting award decided on good behaviour?
Casey Affleck gave the best performance even if he is a nasty person.
100%! If he’s the best, which I thought he was than he deserves the win. It’s really no secret Denzel has been cheating on his wife for years! Certainly not the same as what Casey is accused of but if awards were given out based off of merit, Denzel wouldn’t be winning either.
…guess people conveniently forgot about Denzel’s wandering dong.
IMO….Denzel’s wandering eye isn’t equivalent to Affleck’s sexual harrassment allegations. Can’t bring that up to justify Affleck’s win.
Denzel had consensual sex. Casey sexually harassed someone. NOt the same thing.
So where do it draw the line then? Cheating on his wife over and over again is all good but allegations of sexual harassment is not? This is exactly wh using a moral barometer to judge an actor’s artistry opens up a can of worms.
What you don’t seem to get, is that if he had been held accountable for his CRIMES, he would not have been in the position to act in this movie, because he would have been in prison, or at the very least shunned. GET IT NOW?!!!
Prison for sexual harassment? Also, pretty sure this movie was made prior to those accusations. You don’t have to be famous or wealthy to settle out of court for sexual harassment…. happens in a normal work environment all the time. Usually someone gets fired, not sentenced to prison
I think you should read LightPurple’s comments on this.
@Simone, what you don’t get is that he was not accused of any crime. Nobody goes to prison for sexual harassment. Somebody might get fired for it but that depends on the employer and whether there’s a union contract in place.
I don’t think anyone was more annoyed then Brie Larson in that moment. Did you guys see her face?? She was point blank disgusted.
Also, he looked awful! I love him but dude brush that hair! Jared Leto did the long & scruff MUCH better when he won. Very disappointed in his appearance
Honestly A HUGE NO to this for many reasons. Viggo should have won for Captain Fantastic!
WTF. Why didn’t he shower before the ceremony? We spend lots of time looking at the women’s looks – but this creep was an absolute fail. No respect for the people around him or the ceremony he was attending. Gross
The Academy is neither equipped nor authorised to adjudicate on someone’s morals or behaviour. They are authorised to adjudicate on performances. Their judgement was that his was the best. I agree with them.
Exactly
This precisely. I hate Mel Gibson with every fiber of my being but if Hacksaw Ridge had won, I wouldn’t take to social media to lambast the Academy. These are art awards. It’s like saying that football players with controversial or checkered pasts shouldn’t be able to win an SB ring.
I’m all for people boycotting a Casey Affleck movie if they so choose, but I really don’t get this idea that he should be barred from earning an acting award because of behavior in his personal life. The Academy isn’t rewarding Casey Affleck for being a “good dude”, you know?
Then I guess that explains why so many voters chose to ignore the “grab em by the pussy” behavior of Trump and voted for him as well. Trump’s personal behavior shouldn’t have factored in his being President???
I posted about this down thread. Complete false equivalency.
BOOOOOOO!
Denzel was ROBBED!
Seeing him win triggered me a lot. I am a survivor of multiple rapes, and the last man who raped me knew I had been raped before and raped me anyway. The past 20 years have been Hell for me. Him-he got to finish college and become a chiropractor-his perp hands touching other womens’ bodies, he got to get married and have kids-he got to have a life while I have been merely trying to survive, when he should have been in prison. I’m sorry for the rant/run on, it’s just not right!
simone, I’m sorry you have had a really difficult time, and I hope the future is better for you.
This isn’t a “pat on the back, you’re a stand up guy” award. It’s an Oscar. He’s a fine actor and it was a very good performance. Unproven accusations are just that – unproven. Did he do it? Maybe. Put a gun to my head and I’ll say probably. But I don’t know. No court found him guilty. I’m not into vigilante justice, but I see it’s the new thing, so have at it.
I think his performance was wooden. Could say the same of my all time fave Ryan Gosling but Gosling is real good at the close up stuff. The way he moved his eyes and face when he saw Emma in the audience of his Jazz club (at the end) knocked it out of the ballpark for me. He says so much so subtly. But Denzel’s performance was by far the BEST of all the men. Of course he had over 13 weeks of rehearsal when he did the play Fences on Broadway so he was prepared.
I got lost in his character and that to me shows a great performance. He deserved to win despite whatever he apparently did. I dont know anything about that.
Well Americans did elect Trump even after his pu$$y comments…. Nothing surprises me any more.
People keep saying this but it’s a false equivalency to me.
I don’t need my actors to be of strong moral character (although it’s great if they are), I just want them to entertain me.
But the President of the United States? A person who is the “face” of my country, a person who’s moral character or lack thereof could have a direct impact on my quality of life? You better believe I’m going to have higher moral standards for him/her.
Empathy, compassion, kindness, respect for all humans is essential to the POTUS position IMO, not so much for somebody getting paid to play pretend.
That being said, I also understand how many people can’t separate the person from the character. Admittedly, I would probably have a problem watching Birth of a Nation because of the rape scene, knowing what we know about Parker. Also, BoN was Parker and the other sexual predator’s pet project. That’s a little different to me than Manchester which features a cast and crew of other talented people.
JMO, different strokes for different folks and all that.
Agree 100%, Kitten!
I think what is also unsettling here is once again the perception of white male privilege being on display. Now, granted you cannot equate what Nat Parker did with Casey Affleck’s situation. But it’s no secret that Casey Affleck was protected throughout his awards campaigning from any blowback on the sexual allegations. Reporters were basically forbidden to ask him anything about it. He benefited greatly from his Hollywood connections and his privilege. But Nat Parker was raked through the coals for his crimes and his career may be effectively over. Casey gets an Oscar and continues on career wise, untouched. The disparate treatment is obvious.
Parker did himself in by his own interviews on the subject.
Parker was charged with a crime, Affleck was not.
We should start a #shameonMatt and #shameonBen trend on twitter for protecting Casey. Also his acting was rubbish. Mumbling and looking deadeyed is not acting.
Well, enough people liked his performance that they voted for him. Are the Academy voters that out of touch with the rest of Hollywood? I don’t care for him, personally, but somebody did……
I don’t get it. I thought he was the WORST actor in the worst MOVIE of 2016. The 6 year old from Lion was 100 times better than Affleck, and he had never acted before and couldn’t speak a work of English!
I can’t even watch the whole video. everyone looks like they’re about to puke
No way Casey afflick should win this award over Denzel Washington. Shameful