Le Dernier Cri: Best dressed but boring

The Academy Awards have come and gone, the red carpet has been rolled up and the borrowed jewels have been returned. There were a few surprises, but not many. “No Country for Old Men” came up a big winner, and all of the acting honors went to Europeans. But we all know the awards aren’t why we watch the show. In the end, it all comes down to who was wearing what.\nSadly to say, there were hardly any fashion missteps this year. Now, I love good style as much as the next girl, but it is kind of sad to know that the days of backwards tuxedos and swan dresses are behind us, all but eradicated by the emerging career that is celebrity styling. What I’m trying to say is that while everyone looked absolutely gorgeous, all that beauty gets really boring.\nOne beauty who did not bore, though, was Marion Cotillard, who wins my Best Dressed prize. In the end, she was the only person to really take a risk on the red carpet. And in my book, her risk paid off big time. Dressed in a white custom-made dress by Jean-Paul Gaultier, the Best Actress winner looked just fabulous.\nNot everyone who ended up on my Best Dressed list took a risk, though. Jennifer Garner looked great in her black silk taffeta Oscar de la Renta, and Anne Hathaway chose a bright red Marchesa to set off her porcelain skin tone. Nicole Kidman wore a black custom Balenciaga gown, accessorized with a 1,399 carat diamond necklace, and Amy Adams’ emerald green Proenza Schouler gown was the epitome of glamour and taste.\nOn the men’s side, Javier Bardem not only won for Best Supporting Actor, but he looked great while doing it. In a year when tradition ruled, Bardem looked dapper and handsome in his five-button tuxedo jacket and skinny tie. Johnny Depp also was looking his quirky, stylish self, which always seems to win my heart. And George Clooney set the standard for what is stylish and classic in Hollywood. \nEven though the majority of Hollywood chose to play it safe, there were some surprises and disappointments. I was very disappointed in Ellen Page, who at 21 could have taken the opportunity to really exert herself on the fashion plane, but instead chose a boring and ill-fitting vintage gown. Tilda Swinton looked as if she were wearing an oversized velvet body bag, and Daniel Day-Lewis and his wife must have gotten dressed in the dark. They were wearing the most mismatched outfits I have ever seen. The only thing more puzzling was why Miley Cyrus was at the ceremony at all. \nThe stars played it safe, with very pleasing, if not very entertaining, results. Good taste ruled, and almost no one took risks. And as I said before, I enjoy good taste as much as the next girl, but here’s to hoping that next year some stars fire their stylists and give us a lot more to discuss on Monday morning.