Empire movie magazine explaines why george walked away with the award, and the others didn't
Best pic:BBM
Why It Lost:
Well, there may have been a backlash from conservatives, but if we had to pinpoint the causes of Brokeback’s loss, it’s the fact that the Academy Award voters, who are mainly actors, seem to have gone with the stronger ensemble of Crash, which also won fans among those (many) voters based in LA. Brokeback’s elegiac tone couldn’t compete, it seems, with the topical LA issues in Crash.
Crash
Why It Won:
With one of the best ensemble casts in many years, Crash became an early Oscar favourite. It has all the elements that will make a great contender in any Oscar competition of recent years: social tensions, race relations, anger at our inability to deal with large issues that plague humanity. The fact that the film is set, and shot, in LA – where most voters live – and filled with great acting roles – and most voters are actors – may have given it an extra edge.
Best directorAng Lee
Why He Won:
Ang Lee had not only been nominated before for a gold statue, for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and missed out, but he also had all the momentum going into the awards. He saw Brokeback Mountain dominate other awards whilst gaining impressive media attention and advocates-a-go-go. His direction blends fine touches to add to the sweeping scenery of the Wyoming/Texas love story, and voters clearly felt that it was time to acknowledge one of cinema's finest directors
Best actorPSH
Why He Won:
The seemingly eternal supporting actor finally came into the mainstream limelight in a big way. One of those rare performances that you have to see to believe, Hoffman looked like a shoo-in and turned out to be one. Having won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild already, the Academy followed the trend and rewarded a character actor who's always on top form.
Our Heath
Why He Lost:
The fact that the character is gay (ooo shock!) may have gotten the goat of the conservative Oscar Academy members. But far more likely as an explanation is the incredibly strong competition in this category, with Ledger's low-key performance proving perhaps too low-key. What's more, in contrast to the Actress categories, where it’s an advantage, the fact that Ledger is young and pretty probably counted against him.
Best Supporting actorGeorge Clooney
Why He Won:
Gorgeous George won for a performance that stands out in the film and elevates it. As an actor who’s competing across a number of categories, he may have gotten sympathy votes here from people who didn’t feel able to vote for Good Night in the big categories. He’s also well-liked and respected in Hollywood, which no doubt helped his cause. He also put on weight and grew a beard for the role, and suffering for your art always impresses.
Our Jake
Why He Lost:
Despite all the hype surrounding him, Gyllenhaal didn’t win a single US award, having been ousted by Paul Giamatti in the Screen Actors Guild Awards and George Clooney from the Golden Globes. Then there was the eternal Brokeback worry about a conservative backlash, and there's a further niggle in that Actors' categories tend to go to older winners, so as with Ledger, Gyllenhaal's comparative youth and good looks may have counted against him.
Best supporting actressRachel Weisz
Why She Won:
Weisz proved the big winner in Awards season up to the Oscars, and with political dramas dominating awards season, continued that trend on the night. She played Tessa Quayle with pathos and understanding and gave drive to the whole film. Besides the film being under appreciated in other categories Weisz does shine through as the jewel in the crown of Merielles' adaptation.
Our Michelle
Why She Lost:
Although up there with both Weisz and Keener in the media hype, her performance, not only overshadowed by that of her two male co-stars, was lower-key than the other nominees. She also had relatively little screentime compared to Weisz, and once again that controversy about Dench’s Shakespeare in Love win may have helped the Oscar go to the bigger role.
There are about all of them but just though I'd mark these up...slap the stud definatly
http://www.empireonline.com/interviews_and_events/oscars2006/
