Adrien Brody broke records at the 96th Academy Awards when he gave the longest Oscars acceptance speech ever, lasting five minutes and 40 seconds. Adrien Brody, the actor in The Brutalist, won an Oscar for Best Actor, but his lengthy speech generated mixed feelings.
While Brody thanked his cast, crew, and family from the heart, he also took the opportunity to comment on the state of independent cinema and artistic perseverance. His speech, though emotive, tried the patience of the audience and viewers at home.
The Oscars, already struggling with falling ratings, experienced a further decline this year, with some critics implying that rambling speeches and inevitable winners could have worn down viewers. Social media erupted in response, with some commending Brody’s speech and others demanding a return of the orchestra cut-off.
In spite of the scandal, Brody’s address will be an historic moment in Oscar history—a moment that could lead the Academy to rethink time constraints for future winners.
