Oscars Recap
By: Mark Barger, NBC
Updated: February 23, 2009
The 81st Academy Awards are in the books and in front ofHollywood's biggest stars, it was a stellar night for the Hollywood romance "Slumdog Millionaire".
It was a fairy tale ending for the independent film from India
that almost didn't make it to theaters.
"Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Academy Awards, winning in almost
every category for which it was nominated.
Including best director and best picture.
"We had no stars, we had no power or muscle, we didn't have enough money really, to do what we wanted to do, but what we had was a script
That inspired mad love," said producer Christian Colson.
Sean Penn beat out comeback favorite Mickey Rourke of "The Wrestler"
to score a best actor Oscar for "milk".
Six time nominee and heavily favored Kate Winslet won the best actor
Oscar for "The Reader", beating out seasoned veteran Meryl Streep.
Penelope Cruz took the first major award of the evening, winning a
best supporting actress Oscar for "Vicki Cristina Barcelona".
And in one of the more poignant moments of the night, Heath Ledger's
family accepted the best supporting actor Oscar on his behalf for
"The Dark Knight".
"This award tonight, would have humbly validated heath's quiet determination to be truly accepted by you all here," said Ledger’s father Kim Ledger.
And while there were few surprises, this year's Academy Awards will be remembered as the night Bollywood shined the brightest.
