BY ANDREA HOUSTON – Canada’s Christopher Plummer became the oldest actor to win an Oscar last night. He won for his role as an elderly gay man in Beginners.
In the film, Plummer’s character comes out of the closet after spending 45 years in a loveless marriage. His son, played by Ewan McGregor, is plagued by terrible memories of his parents and is unable to form healthy relationships. While his dad embraces being gay and pure happiness for the first time, his son struggles to understand.
Beginners was based on the true story of director Mike Mills’ father, who was also very late to come out.
Also noteworthy, Meryl Streep picked up her third trophy. Streep holds a record 17 Academy Award nominations, the most of any actor.
She won the Oscar for Best Lead Actress for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. It was her first win since Sophie’s Choice in 1982. She also won for the 1979 film Kramer vs Kramer.
She beat out Glenn Close, who was nominated for the film Albert Nobbs, about a woman who dresses as a man to find work, something women did occasionally to fight in wars, land jobs or go on adventures.
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