When presenting Best Picture, Al Pacino says he did as he was told
Oscar-winner Al Pacino was criticized for his presentation of the Best Picture award at last nights Academy Awards. It wasn’t his call

Photo: Arturo Holmes
Al Pacino has responded to criticism regarding his presentation of the award for Best Picture at last night’s Academy Awards. Shuffling onto the stage with the Godfather theme playing behind him, the unassuming Oscar-winner appeared to go off script, ditching the customary reading of the nominees and jumping straight to tearing open the envelope. For those in attendance and those at home, his so-called slip-up allowed the show to end on time. But we must ask ourselves, at what cost?
Part of the confusion arose from Pacino’s insistence that, upon arriving at the microphone, “some Shakespeare, now I think, is in order,” giving the impression that Mr. Pacino wasn’t quite sure what to say, especially when he started his recitation of Hamlet’s famed soliloquy before censoring himself. What he didn’t do was the customary reading of the names of the 10 best picture nominees, and instead gave a blanket statement of “10 wonderful films were nominated, but only one will take the award for Best Picture.” He also appeared to stall by saying, “I have to go to the envelope for that, and I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer.”