So Birdman defied the bookies and soared away with the top Oscars at last night's 87th Annual Academy Awards rather than longtime favourite Boyhood, winning Best Film and Best Director for Alejandro G Iñárritu, as well as awards for Cinematography and Screenplay. But should we be so surprised that Hollywood plumped for the movie-insider's story rather than the universal coming of age tale?
The acting awards didn't contain any surprises, however, with Eddie Redmayne holding off the challenge from Michael Keaton to win Best Actor, Julianne Moore winning Best Actress, and J K Simmons and Patricia Arquette, as widely predicted, scooping the Supporting Acting gongs.
Here’s how the night went, with my ‘will win’ predictions first.
Best Film Will win: Boyhood Who did win: Birdman
Best Director Will win: Alejandro G Iñárritu Who did win: Alejandro G Iñárritu
Best Actor Will win: Eddie Redmayne Who did win: Eddie Redmayne
Best Actress Will win: Julianne Moore Who did win: Julianne Moore
Best Supporting Actor Will win: J K Simmons Who did win: J K Simmons
Best Supporting Actress Will win: Patricia Arquette Who did win: Patricia Arquette
And the other Oscars went to:
Original Screenplay Will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel Who did win: Birdman
Adapted Screenplay Will win: The Imitation Game Who did win: The Imitation Game
Animation Will win: How to Train Your Dragon 2 Who did win: Big Hero 6
Foreign Film Will win: Ida Who did win: Ida
Documentary Will win: Citizenfour Who did win: Citizenfour
Score Will win: The Theory of Everything Who did win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Original Song Will win: ‘Glory’ (Selma) Who did win: ‘Glory’ (Selma)
Cinematography Will win: Birdman Who did win: Birdman
Editing Will win: Boyhood Who did win: Whiplash
Production Design Will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel Who did win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Costume Will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel Who did win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Make-up Will win: The Grand Budapest Hotel Who did win: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Visual Effects Will win: Interstellar Who did win: Interstellar
Sound Mixing Will win: American Sniper Who did win: Whiplash
Sound Editing Will win: American Sniper Who did win: American Sniper
Animated Short Will win: Feast Who did win: Feast
Documentary Short Will win: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 Who did win: Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Live Short Will win: The Phone Call Who did win: The Phone Call
