If I were Meryl Streep (with her plethora of awards), when my name was announced as winner, I would have sat down beside Viola Davis, asked for the mic, and delivered my acceptance speech with an arm around Viola all the while. That would’ve been the mensch-ey thing to do. The Cirque de Soleil acrobats were dazzling – but had nothing whatsoever to do with the evening or the movies. Inappropriate. Thrilled to see Alexander Payne get recognition -he is the smartest and funniest (adult) writer-director working today (besides Woody Allen). I thought Sideways was a gem.

And the musical number that ends The Artist is pure heaven.