Al Pacino’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Best Picture Oscars flub explained — maybe
The award for most anticlimactic Oscar ending goes to…
Al Pacino caused quite a stir during the 2024 Oscars when he skipped over announcing all 10 of the Best Picture nominees. Instead, he just quickly blurted out “Oppenheimer.”
The Oscar winner, 83, was greeted by a standing ovation as he took to the stage at LA’s Dolby Theatre before he delivered the top award.
However, instead of building the tension like several previous presenters and allowing all the films one last chance to be recognized, the “Godfather” actor trudged straight ahead by announcing the victor.
“Ten wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture — and I have to go to the envelope for that,” he said.
“My eyes see ‘Oppenheimer!‘ “
The “Scent of a Woman” star’s brusk announcement was met with several social media users wishing the actor had kept decorum.
“Wish Al would have read all of the nominees first. I was looking forward to seeing the sizzle reels, and a bit of tension,” one person posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“What a weird anti climactic way to reveal the winner. Everyone was like WTF!” a second person posted.
“The downside of elderly legends giving out the biggest award,” stated a third critic. “Pair them with a younger star to make sure they do what they are supposed to do or tape the announcement of the ten nominees Disrespectful to not give them their due.”
Despite the negative comments, a source claimed to E! News it was a creative direction by production.
The Post reached out to the Academy for comment.
Although Pacino’s category was awkward, other viewers stood up for him.
“People think he forgot to say the nominees, but they did the same non-announcement for Best Song,” a user pointed out. “Perhaps they skip saying the nominees in both categories because each song was sung and each movie highlighted during the ceremony.”
“This always happens at the end of these awards shows especially when they have an 80-year-old presenting. You can’t blame them. Get over it,” another angry X user posted.
Christopher Nolan’s film, which was nominated for 13 awards, took home the top prize, beating out “American Fiction,” “Barbie,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Holdovers,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Past Lives” and “Maestro.”
The biopic also earned gold statues for Best Director (Nolan), Best Actor (Cillian Murphy), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.), Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Score.
