It’s always the same. The demure star from whom you want to hear more says a polite “Thanks” and leaves the stage. The most vacuous airhead has to be prised from the rostrum.
Studies of recent Oscar acceptance speeches suggest a clear trend away from thanking God, towards thanking one’s spouse. Similarly, actors today are more likely to talk about their »film”, not their »movie« (too gung-ho American). And the crew are more likely than ever to get an honourable mention, especially those without-whoms who helped an actor prepare physically for a role. Natalie Portman name-checked her ballet tutor for Black Swan, Christian Bale the fitness instructor who helped him thin down for The Fighter.
The words most mentioned last year were »wonderful”, »amazing«, »incredible” and »great«, which it surely was for »parents« the »crew«, the »cast«, the »team« and »the family« (it’s a Sicilian thing).