I’ve said it repeatedly throughout the awards season: Green Book was utter trash, but I was okay with Mahershala Ali winning awards for the role. He did the best with a terrible script in a film where he was surrounded by literally the worst white dudes in history. Green Book’s Oscar campaign majorly faltered in January, so much so that I wondered if Mahershala would even get over the finish line or if they would end up giving the Oscar to someone else, like Richard Grant. But no, the Academy loves Mahershala now. He won his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this trash film.
Mahershala thanked the late Dr. Shirley, his film “partner” Viggo Mortensen, director Peter Farrelly, Octavia Spencer (who produced the film). He dedicated the Oscar to his grandmother for encouraging him throughout his life. Then he thanked his wife and daughter.
I remember Mahershala’s campaign very clearly for Moonlight and his Oscar for that film just FELT different, and like it meant something different to him. But this one felt like… he was halfway embarrassed to win this year. I get it – it wasn’t a film he completely believed in. But I’m glad he was a total pro about it this whole time. Congrats Mahershala!
Mahershala Ali is only the second black actor to win multiple acting awards at the Oscars, the first being Denzel Washington. #Oscars Via ABC https://t.co/6ZsHfH2BZ0 pic.twitter.com/RV3BElAxUt
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 25, 2019
Photos courtesy of WENN, IMDB.
I see what you mean about his reaction. I dont know if he thought someone else was more deserving, or if he didnt love Green Book, or what. But something was a little…..flat?
Either way, I like him a lot as an actor and think he’s excellent, so I’m fine with him winning even if I wont see the movie after all Kaiser’s comments, ha.
I’m sure with all the shit he was put through, he’s just over it.
I REALLY wanted Richard to win
Me, too. He was outstanding in Can You Ever Forgive Me? As was Melissa. A friend of mine had a cameo in that movie. I just loved the whole thing.
I didn’t like Green Book winning the original screenplay award. Even if I was thanked in the speech. Though I’m really happy Spike Lee got an Oscar, finally.
He’s great, happy he got it!!
I didnt like moonlight either. But his acting has always stood out to me even in smaller parts like in a Place beyond the Pines
I think it’s a way harsh to call ‘Green Book’ trash, but yeah, it was somewhat formulaic.
I enjoyed his performance though & do think he did well with it.
Maybe people on here are too young to remember a book called “The Bridges of Madison County.” It was a massive bestseller and complete crap. However, what was most interesting was that the honesty of the author when said he wrote the book following a formula that he knew would create a lot of sales. He made no pretense that he was writing a classic. It was only a book that he intended to write to get sales. This, to me, is what “Green Book” did. The (white) writers/directors/creators just won’t admit to such a thing.
Well there is the movie too with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood which I think more people are familiar with. I didn’t read the book and while the movie itself is nothing groundbreaking and very cliche (like the book I’m assuming), the performances of Streep and Eastwood moved me and made me care about the characters.
I feel the same way about Nicholas Sparks book. The books are terrible and so badly written and the movies aren’t that much better.
If they ever remake the Shaka Zulu mini series, Hollywood….this here is your Zulu King!!!
Mahershala Ali is such a dignified and nuanced actor. He’s amazing. I’m glad he won, I just wish it was for something better than Green Book. Then again, his performance truly transcended the drivel.
Only watched Green Book because of Mahershala’s acting. As so many of you have already said – he won for the right reasons (he did an excellent job in this film), but for the wrong thing