Meryl Streep Won an Oscar!!!!!!!

The biggest, and only wow moment of this years Academy Awards came when Colin Firth announced the winner for Best Actress.  The pundits, bloggers, Oscar-enthusiasts and general movie-loving contingent all pretty much concluded that Viola Davis would victor friend and champion Meryl Streep for her confident and moving performance in The Help.  She not just elevated an okay movie, but made such a significant mark for both the feature and herself by the assured and intelligent gracefulness that she presented through the entire awards seasons-- it's as though she was modeled and trained by Streep herself.  The shock and awe affect was when Firth announced not Viola, but Meryl, and the shock-wave it sends to the central nervous system of every movie lover I feel was palpable.  Not because Streep necessarily deserved it this year for her strong work in the less than okay The Iron Lady, but because the power and awesomeness of this creature, the graceful epitome of ridiculous acclamations like "The Greatest Living Actress" is worn with such a knowing self-awareness and good natured humor that it's impossible not be overjoyed by her presence.  My instincts were a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Firstly, of "WTF?," I bet on Davis, and I have money on the line.  Secondly of, well I still think Davis deserved it this year.  But lastly and ultimately as Streep took the stage was the formidable thought Meryl Streep hasn't won an Oscar in 29 years, and this is the first in my lifetime.  She was gracious as usual, but this wasn't a typical Streep speech-- she seemed nervous, almost on the verge of tears...in shock like the rest of us.  And unlike the millions of gut-busting Golden Globe and SAG speeches she's delivered in recent years, there was absolutely nothing canned about it-- she seemed even more in those brief minutes than in the entirety of The Iron Lady.  In the lovely self-deprecating way she said, "I know this will be the last time," it's hard not to feel joyously in love with this woman.  Also, she gave the best speech of the evening, so I can't feel to bad on my Oscar ballot loss...I still won for those who care!

Abridged, but nonetheless sublime.