And the Oscar Goes To...

And The Oscar Goes To... is an engaging documentary that provides a comprehensive look at the rich and illustrious history of the Academy Awards, colloquially known as the Oscars. The 2014 release is directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and stars a glut of significant Hollywood figures including Anjelica Huston, Billy Crystal, and Tom Hanks, three distinctive personalities who have left indelible marks on the Oscars' legacy.

The documentary draws on the experiences, anecdotes, and first-hand accounts of major Hollywood personalities, offering viewers a peek into the life behind the glamour and glitz of the entertainment industry. Anjelica Huston, Billy Crystal, and Tom Hanks lend their voices and memories to this work, ensuring that their personal narratives of the Oscars further enrich the documentary's detailed narrative.

The film offers a retrospective journey whose narrative stretches back to the very first ceremony held in 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. And The Oscar Goes To... takes its audience on a delightful exploration of the evolution throughout the years of the Oscars, emphasizing not merely the transformation, but the constants over time as well, such as the excitement and anticipation that accompany each annual awards ceremony. Through the use of contemporary and archival footage, the film showcases the dramatic shifts and endeavours that have marked the award night over 90 years.

The documentary is replete with testimonies from Anjelica Huston, Billy Crystal, and Tom Hanks as well as an ensemble of winners, nominees, presenter, and industry insiders. These voices become the anatomy of the film, each narrative demonstrating a unique perspective. They share tales of the satisfaction and dejection, the surprises, and the controversies that have become so synonymous with the awards.

Veteran actress Anjelica Huston, who won the Best Supporting Actress award for her memorable performance in Prizzi's Honor (1985), shares her personal experiences in the glamorous world of the Oscars. She reveals anecdotes that give a behind-the-scenes viewpoint, divulging the emotional rollercoaster that is part and parcel of such a prestigious award and the impact it has had on her career.

Similarly, the comic genius and frequent Oscars host Billy Crystal takes viewers behind the grand stage into a world that very few have access to. Crystal, whose wit and charm have won him a permanent place in Oscars lore, recounts his experiences of hosting the ceremony, a formidable task that places him at the heart of one of the most watched events in the world.

Tom Hanks, a versatile actor whose contributions to the cinematic industry have been monumental, includes his experiences as well, lending further weight to this compendium of personal tales from the Oscars. Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner for Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994), shares his own reflections on the prestige and pressures associated with Hollywood’s big night.

And The Oscar Goes To... is not just a film about the Academy Awards, it is also a celebration of cinema itself. It gives fans a real insight into the awards: the sense of ambition, the joy of victory, and the disappointment of defeat - all through the eyes of some of the Oscars' most loved figures. It delves into the stories of those who have dared to dream and been rewarded with one of Hollywood’s most prized possessions – the golden statuette.

The lasting impression of And The Oscar Goes To… is that it is an ode to cinema and its foremost awards function. It is an exploration of the emotions, preparations, and celebrations associated with the world's most revered film award. This documentary dissects what the recognition implies to filmmakers, actors, and other artists who see it as the pinnacle of success in the cinematic world.

The film gives a human touch to the stars we tend to idolize, showing the extent of hard work, commitment, and sheer talent it takes to be nominated - let alone win - an Oscar. By focusing on both the bigger picture and individual experiences, the documentary represents a history of the Academy Awards that is both comprehensive and intimate. In essence, And The Oscar Goes To... is a love letter to the Oscars and cinema itself, narrated by the very individuals who have been a significant part of its illustrious narrative.