Emma Stone: Hollywood's Leading Lady

Last night’s 96th Academy Awards unfolded in a rather uneventful manner, with little deviation from the expected outcomes as the frontrunners dominated the major categories. Christopher Nolan clinched the Best Director award, while his film “Oppenheimer” secured the coveted title of Best Picture.

The awards season commenced on an uncertain note, with Golden Globes host Jo Koy facing backlash for delivering jokes that fell flat, particularly those targeting Barbie and Taylor Swift in January. Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took a more cautious approach, acknowledging the controversy surrounding Greta Gerwig’s perceived snub — despite her film’s nomination for Best Picture, Gerwig herself was not recognized for her directing efforts.

Amidst the predictability, there were notable victories. Da’Vine Joy Randolph claimed the evening’s first award, the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in “The Holdovers.” Billie Eilish triumphed in the Best Original Song category for “What Was I Made For.” French director Justine Triet and her life partner Arthur Harari secured the Best Original Screenplay award for “Anatomy of a Fall.”

The highlight of the evening came with Emma Stone’s win for Best Actress, acknowledging her portrayal of Bella Baxter in “Poor Things.” In her emotional acceptance speech, Emma Stone expressed gratitude towards the women who presented her with the award and her fellow nominees. Among them was Lily Gladstone, the first Native American woman nominated in this category for her role in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

While “Poor Things” was hailed by some as a feminist exploration of a woman’s journey towards independence and self-discovery, particularly through her sexuality, others, including myself, found it disconcerting. Despite the film’s largely positive reception, I couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease. The narrative revolves around Bella Baxter, who undergoes a unique transformation after a near-death experience, delving into themes of womanhood and autonomy, often intertwined with sexual exploration, including periods of adolescent mental maturity and later involvement in prostitution.

Emma Stone delivers a stellar performance in “Poor Things,” showcasing her remarkable talent and her successful collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos. However, the underlying themes of the film, centered on a woman’s journey through her sexuality, feel clichéd and predictable, akin to the recurring pattern of white male directors winning accolades. It’s a familiar narrative, one that we’ve seen countless times before.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Yahoo ! Finance}