You’d never know from attending today’s near-euphoric Spirit Awards ceremony that Tom McCarthy‘s Spotlight, which won five major awards (Best Feature, Director, Screenplay, Editing and Ensemble Acting), isn’t quite favored to win the Best Picture Oscar tomorrow night. I was basking in Spotlight fever and having a great time along with everyone else, but I’m still sensing that The Revenant has it in the bag. I think. “The Revenant can’t win,” a colleague insisted as we sat in the press room around 3:30 pm. “It’s too divisive.” My answer: “I’m not going to slit my wrists if Spotlight doesn’t win or if The Revenant doesn’t win. I can not only live with but applaud either scenario. I’m just feeling the pollen and the pixie-dust vibes and the current in the air…that’s all. And it mostly feels like The Revenant.”
Spotlight gang in Spirit Awards press room — Saturday, 2.27, 3:55 pm.
Best Male Lead award winner Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation.
Son of Saul director Laszlo Nemes, star Géza Röhrig.
Room‘s Brie Larson, winner of the Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
Tangerine‘s Mya Taylor, winner of Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.