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March 4, 2005 > Arts & Entertainment > Waxing nostalgic: My life in Oscar parties

Waxing nostalgic: My life in Oscar parties

By Jonathan Schumann | Thresher Editorial Staff

This past weekend was a rare mid-semester oasis. What could have easily descended into a Planes, Trains & Automobiles-esque disaster, where every meticulously planned element of my travel plans blew up in my face, ended up as a relaxing breeze.

I went to New York City to interview for a posh internship.

(I would now like to ask for a collective crossing of the fingers in my favor.) It went well, but who can really tell? Everything leading up to the interview played in my favor. Between the first-class seat on the plane ride there (it was one of those fluke miles-related upgrades) and the swanky room at the W, I felt as if I had stepped into someone’s beautiful, extravagant yuppie life.

The W is trendy, sleek and uber-fabulous. And filled with mirrors. I have never seen so many mirrors in a single hotel room in my life. A mirror on the wall behind the bed. A full- length mirror in the corner. A bathroom with a wall of mirrors. I have never looked at myself naked from so many different angles. And at first, not even intentionally. I was changing clothes and then, yikes, there I am in mirror No. 1. Then I turn around and, boom, there I am again. Oh, goodness.

After the interview and my momentary existence as an elite, I trained home to Connecticut. At any other time of year, it would have been just another weekend at home. But oh no. This was Oscar weekend, and at my house, nothing is taken more seriously.

Ever since my father was in college, he has had a yearly Oscar party. His first joint venture with my mom was for the 1978 Oscars, when Annie Hall beat Star Wars. My first Oscars were in 1984, when Terms of Endearment beat Tender Mercies. My brothers showed up for the 1988 awards, when The Last Emperor beat Broadcast News.

In my house, the Academy Awards are an event. I remember rushing home from elementary school the day of the awards (until recently, the Oscars were held on Monday, not Sunday, evening). I would aid in any way possible — ice down drinks, dry lettuce, sweep, polish, anything. In the process, I picked up all sorts of information most would consider useless. I knew who Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Ridley Scott and Geena Davis were at an absurdly early age. I was rooting for Susan Sarandon before I knew who she was and thought Tom Hanks was terribly overrated before I had seen any of his films.

I gauge my childhood not by Super Bowl victories, presidential elections or any other standard demarcations, but by who won that year. 1997 is not the year of Clinton’s second inauguration, but the year The English Patient beat Fargo. If there is any argument left for the Oscars as an American institution, all one need do is look at the Schumann family tradition.

All these memories of Oscars past came rushing back this past weekend. This year’s ceremony was one of the dullest in recent memory, with the Academy rewarding Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby with four of the big awards. If the Oscars have taught me anything, it is that a mediocre film that resonates with emotion is the safest bet for a win.

I was happy, though, to see Cate Blanchett finally receive a golden boy. Her turn as Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator (the film that Martin Scorsese deserved to finally win for) was fantastic. And what a class act. In a sweeping canary gown with burgundy accents, she outshined every other actress in attendance.

Novice host Chris Rock proved to be an apt comic force. His opening monologue was raucous, energetic and invigorating. It is nice to see someone not afraid to tease Hollywood on its annual night of self-congratulation.

When the final award was announced, the morning came too soon and I was on a plane headed back to reality. This year will not only be remembered as the year Million Dollar Baby toppled The Aviator juggernaut, but the year I made it back home to celebrate the Oscars Schumann style.

Jonathan Schumann is a Baker College junior and arts and entertainment editor.

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