The Oscars has lost its punch because it’s dragged on for so long

For the first time ever, I couldn’t care less about the Academy Awards, writes Charlotte Cripps

Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in February last year (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Oscars are finally taking place on Sunday after a two-month delay due to the pandemic. But for the first time ever, I couldn’t care less about it. 

I’ve got Oscars fatigue before I’ve even tuned into the televised ceremony, which will air in the UK in the early hours of Monday.

The truth is, it’s been dragging on for so long that it has lost its punch. Ever since Nomadland was tipped as an early favourite at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals last year, we’ve been inundated with so much information about this year’s contenders, that I’ve switched off. 

It’s like analysis paralysis; how many times can we guess who will win Best Picture? Is it Nomadland, Mank, Minari, The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Sound of Metal, Promising Young Woman, or The Trial of the Chicago 7?

It’s not so important to me in 2021. I’m just excited that I might finally get to see a film at a cinema soon, with the reopening on 17 May.

The only Oscars highlight for me – apart from the fact that it’s the first year when there have been two female nominees for best director: Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) and Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) – is going to be what everybody looks like on the red carpet. I know it’s sad, but for me, a designer outfit has never seemed so appealing. 

Yours,

Charlotte Cripps

Culture writer