It’s easy to rag on Oscar’s little brother (or sister). The Film Independent Spirit Awards are held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica and aired on little-watched IFC. But considering the lack of budget compared to the Oscars or even Golden Globes, what IFC and Film Independent are able to pull off is often more fun, classier and stylish than the big boys.
READ MORE: “If Beale Street Could Talk” wins Best Film and rules the 2019 Spirit Awards
And sure, the show has problems. It is basically been the same structure and breakdown for the last decade. At times that means it all feels a little stagnant whether you’re watching on TV or in the increasingly chilly tent. While the non-competitive Robert Altman honor is prestigious, it feels out of place at the end of awards season (the recently added Bonnie Award is a much better idea). You almost wonder if the show needs a lifetime achievement of some kind at this point in its history to get the emotions going.
That being said, we’re dropping the “worst” as we reflect on this year’s Spirits because they are a little too “same old, same old.” Plus, the highlights were highlights that really popped. Starting with the host, Aubrey Plaza.
Best: Aubrey Plaza and her writers
Listen, Plaza didn’t break the mold for award show hosts. This is still not her ideal gig, but she knew it and acknowledged it from the beginning. She was also game the entire show to do whatever she needed which is something you couldn’t say of a long list of previous Spirit Awards hosts (Andy Samberg, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll excluded). More importantly, she recruited a bang-up bunch of writers who helped her craft an opening monologue that was almost to sharp and on point for the audience to pick up on. Some highlights: “I especially love awards when they are fighting with each other. This could finally be the day when ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor’ finally tears the dick off of ‘Hale County This Morning, This Evening.” Or, “We’ll be giving out awards for Best First Feature, Best Feature and, for the first time, Best Last Feature, which many of you don’t realize you’ve already made.” And, “Joaquin Phoenix is here from his upcoming beard trilogy. ‘I’m Still Here,’ ‘You Were Never Really Here’ and the upcoming ‘Sir, You Cannot Sleep Here.'”And, “‘BlacKkKlansman’ explores the struggle of a black police officer to find his role in the struggle against white supremacy. So, congrats to the sole nominee for that film today, Adam Driver. Adam we are so proud of you. You were the best one. I’m sure they’ll do the white thing.” Oh and there was more…
Best: The Cold Open
They had me at Sharon Stone. Or maybe Bryan Tyree Henry. Or maybe Marcia Gay Harden burning her Oscar into a gold dagger. Or maybe Finn Wittrock being referred to as “the bastard child that bust from the loins of the Netflix algorithm.” This will be legendary in a few years. Can you imagine this on the Academy Awards? In any scenario?
Best: Barry Jenkins
We simply do not deserve Barry Jenkins. Not only is he incredibly creative, insightful and giving, but genuinely humble too. He admitted when he got on stage that he didn’t want to win the Best Director award “With everything going on the world it seems strange to be up here.” And then referred to Regina King‘s Golden Globes speech where she spoke of more women being needed behind the scenes. He noted to all the film financiers, producers and agents in the room, “If even just 30% agree in the next 18 months agree to finance a film with a woman [director] the 4% would become the 8%, the 12%.” He also gave a shout out to Lynne Ramsey who he met as a film student at the Telluride Film Festival in 2002 where she shared her creative process so he noted, “I think this win has your creative DNA in it.”
Best: Regina King has her moment
It’s unclear if Regina King will win an Oscar on Sunday, but she took her first Spirit on Sunday after being snubbed by her peers in SAG (it’s amazing she’s never been nominated). She had a lot to get out, but the biggest takeway? We all forgot this was her first feature role in eleven years. That’s just wrong.
Best: Shangela
Halleloo! “A Star is Born” and “Drag Race” superstar Shangela gave the Spirits the Best Picture medly they didn’t know they needed. Kiki Layne and Bo Burnham were into it and Joaquin Phoneix? Well, we’re guessing he’s covering up his smile. And how about the fact Shangie sang it live?
Best: Glenn Close’s dog Pippi
We are certainly disappointed Toni Collette got overlooked again for her incredible work in “Hereditary” and we might be a cat lover, but it’s hard to omit Glenn Close‘s adorable dog Pippi joining her on stage. I mean, you won’t see that anywhere else than the Spirits.
Best: Richard E. Grant’s acceptance speech
“I feel astonished and emotional about this.” He thanked six actors for getting him to this moment. Grant has lost a lot of awards this year to Mahershala Ali but got his moment at the Spirits.