Joker got all the way to the big stage, but in the end, it couldn’t take home the Oscar for Best Picture. Fans of the film flocked to Twitter to voice their displeasure and some didn’t seem to jive with the Academy’s ultimate winner Parasite. But, Joaquin Phoenix managed to claim his Oscar for Best Actor, so everything isn’t in vain. His message seemed to really inspire a lot of people in the room as the star spoke from the heart about things important to him. As always, the environment, human relationships, and the need to come together dominated his speech. His director was even brought to tears by the display after it was all said and done.
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In better moments from the night, Joaquin Phoenix’s speech was extremely heartfelt. He began, “I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees because we share the same the love of film and this form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life. I don’t know what I’d be without it.”
“I’ve been a scoundrel in my life,” Phoenix continued. “I’ve been cruel at times, hard to work with. Many of you in this room have given me a second chance.”
Thank you to @TheAcademy for honoring the incredible cast and crew of #Joker with 2 Academy Awardsยฎ. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y96PVoYxQc
โ Joker Movie (@jokermovie) February 10, 2020
The actor added”That’s when we’re at our best, when we support each other. Not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other to grow, when we educate each other, when we guide each other toward redemption.”
Then, the tone shifted toward the environment and human rights causes. “We’ve become very disconnected from the natural world,” Phoenix mentioned. “We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and when she gives first we steal the baby and then we take her milk that’s intended for the calf and we put it in our coffee.”
In closing, he invoked his brother River Phoenix. “When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric, ‘Run to the rescue love and peace will follow.’”
Check some of the responses below:
UNITY
“When we use love and compassion as our guiding principals, we can create systems of change.
โ Enes Kanter (@EnesKanter) February 10, 2020
Not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we guide each other to grow, for redemption, that is the best of humanity.โ
-Joaquin Phoenix #Oscars pic.twitter.com/ehygQBBrWC
Inspiring
Joaquin Phoenix is a living legend. He uses his large platform for the greater good, and to speak up on not only humanitarian issues, but issues regarding all species. Heโs a true vegan king, and we should all strive to be like him.
โ David โ (@VeganGenesis) February 10, 2020
pic.twitter.com/I28YoCmCm1
My heart
“When he was 17, my brother River wrote this lyric. He said: Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow” – Joaquin Phoenix #Oscars pic.twitter.com/q9uMkVNSsj
โ The River Phoenix Gallery (@phoenixsgallery) February 10, 2020
History.
Joaquin Phoenix holding his first Oscar. Ah, that’s history luv. pic.twitter.com/14zgD9TCNt
โ Best of Joaquin Phoenix (@BestOfJPhoenix) February 10, 2020
Did you listen though
Once yโall oh-so-perfect people stop making fun of how awkward he is, I hope a few of you actually take what Joaquin Phoenix was saying to heart.
โ Myke C-Town โ (@mykectown) February 10, 2020
I really like this guy. pic.twitter.com/UlkOplishw
Two Jokers
Joaquin Phoenix you finally got it. You did Heath Ledgerโs memory proud๐๐ผ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ #Joker #TheOscars pic.twitter.com/W4OZfdiHGr
โ kev๐โ๏ธ๐๐ญ (@trillkevooo) February 10, 2020
Is someone cutting onions
When Joaquin Phoenix could barely get his words out when he started talking about River I… #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TcdvPIYHVi
โ Carin K (@thelovelymissCK) February 10, 2020