Here's The Problem With What Happened Last Night At The Oscars

It's good to know that the Academy doesn't learn from past mistakes.

When Tom Hooper received the Best Director Oscar last night, I died a little inside. Fincher didn't move, but then again, he didn't really move at all last night. I wondered if he was perhaps dead in his chair and someone had painted eyes on his eyelids. Maybe he was thinking that this was all crap and it didn't matter. Maybe he saw the hype train go down the tracks for The King's Speech and knew what was already going to happen. I heard all the talk. I heard the rallying cries behind The King's Speech, but still I fought. You're crazy, I thought. How could you not award Fincher for The Social Network? Everything in that picture was perfect. If you truly look at a Director being at the helm of the entire creative process, then Fincher was the guy. The acting, editing, writing, cinematography and music were all perfect. Nothing more outstanding than the rest. Just a perfect balance. I thought it was a no-brainer that he would win the award. But then everyone began to talk. King's Speech this and King's Speech that. Yes it's a good movie. Yes the performances were great. But it was familiar. It was easy. I can confidently say I have never seen a movie like The Social Network. I have seen several movies like The King's Speech. So I began to resign myself to the inevitable and I said to myself and anyone who would listen - if The King's Speech gets best picture, I'm fine with that. Just don't screw Fincher.

So when they announced Tom Hooper all I could think was "here we go again." It's Scorsese all over again. In a few years from now The King's Speech will fade from memory as just another good period piece. The Social Network, on the other hand will continue to thrive as a film that defined our time. And there will be regret. "Huh, maybe Fincher should have gotten the Oscar" people will say. And then Fincher will go on to make good film after good film and about 10 years from now Fincher will win best director for a lesser film. One that was good, but not deserving. And I'll root for him. And probably blog for him, as I did for Scorsese.

It won't be right. But I'll do it. Because this is the way the Academy works. And Fincher deserves it.