The Oscar celebration got off to an early start at Granita on Sunday afternoon as locals settled into salmon galette and chardonnay while viewing the most famous red carpet event in the world. Every year, Wolfgang Puck’s Malibu eatery pulls out all the stops for an Academy-worthy bash. The place was abuzz with speculation — who would take home the gold?
But first things first — and foremost — fashion. Would Jennifer Lopez delight us with a slit-up-to-here, bare-down-to-there sizzler? Would Geena Davis leave little to the imagination? And where, oh where, was Cher? We watched as packs of paparazzi popped away and entertainment reporters fawned breathlessly over the stars.
The crucial question — what would they be wearing? “Randolf Duke said everyone would be sexy, but not overdone,” observed Mary Zimmerman, as the A-list arrivals walked their walk. Zimmerman and pal Bonnie Apfelbaum marveled as Sigourney Weaver waltzed down the way, a vision in crimson. J. Lo did not disappoint with her sexy off-the-shoulder stunner (how does she do it?). Local nominee Ed Harris made his own fashion statement looking like a parish priest gone posh. Gum-smacking bad boy Russell Crowe also opted for unusual neckwear and long-haired James Coburn could have easily been mistaken for a lost member of ZZ Top. We watched with great anticipation to find a true crime of fashion. Luckily, Icelander Bjork came through as the evening’s ugly duckling dressed as road kill from Swan Lake.
OK — time to vote. Ballots were passed out amid much debate and there was a wide divide which separated friends and even family. “I’ve got ‘Gladiator,’ she’s got ‘Crouching Tiger,’ ” noted Zimmerman. “We don’t agree on any movies,” sighed Apfelbaum. “And our husbands aren’t even here yet.”
“I think ‘Gladiator’ will win because it was the biggest Hollywood blockbuster epic,” said Richard “Magic Mitts” Liss. “And I’m also going with Ed Harris; I’m taking a long shot.”
Eleven-year-old Brandon Kaplan was especially knowledgeable. “I’ve seen all of the best picture nominees, actually — even the ones rated R.” His vote — “Gladiator.” But the Circus Maximus didn’t score quite as well when it came to its hunky hero. “I don’t know about Russell Crowe,” said Bob Helper. “The guy’s stealing women away — married women.” (Well, Bob, that was last week).
With all keeping score, the awards were under way. Winners like “Traffic’s” Benicio Del Toro and Steven Soderbergh drew great applause.
In the category of best commercial the Oscar went to … Britney Spears, whose Pepsi spot was more exciting than most movies I saw this year, knocking everyone off their can, and is guaranteed to sell quite a few sodas.
As the ceremony kicked into high gear, chef Jennifer Naylor rolled out entrees of grilled swordfish served with fresh asparagus and a fennel puree that could make the toughest Oscar winner weep. By the time “Gladiator” got its due, we were polishing things up with coffee and chocolate and giving the evening a epic-sized thumbs up. “It’s great we have this every year,” said Zimmerman. “And what a great place to have it.”
With so many memorable moments, some of us took time to reflect on movie making, the creative process, passion, vision and unity — or as Steve Martin put it — “We are all here together because of a single common love — publicity.”