It's not easy to believe, but people used to think the Oscars didn't matter. Now the hoopla takes up half a year, much longer if you take into account that many actors, writers and directors begin mugging for Oscars the moment they agree to a project. In previous times a respectable number of the nominees didn't turn up at all, but now they would sooner be wheeled in semi-recumbent on their sickbeds than forgo the occasion altogether.

LRB 26 February 2009 | PDF Download