10:15AM, Feb 23, 2009
2009's Oscar results were called weeks before the ceremony. With one exception - everyone thought Mickey Rourke would walk away triumphant with a golden statue for The Wrestler.
Kate Winslet, Danny Boyle, Heath Ledger, Penelope Cruz and Slumdog Millionaire all received their predicted awards.
But, there was a palpable sense of surprise when Sean Penn was named Best Actor for Milk, pipping Rourke to the post in what must have been a close-call.
Penn acknowledged Rourke in his acceptance speech, stating, "Mickey Rourke rises again. He is my brother."
One of Hollywood's most passionate political firebrands also called up all those who voted against gay marriage in a California referendum that coincided with Milk's US cinema release.
"I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way."
This Oscar nomination was Penn's fifth, and his second win after Mystic River in 2004. We think he will only be taking movie projects beginning with the letter "M" from now on.
The only other big surprise during the night was the Japanese movie Departures winning Best Foreign Film over The Class and Waltz with Bashir.
The story of an out of work cellist who takes a job preparing bodies for burial and entry into the next life, it emerged seemingly from nowhere to beat out its higher profile rivals.
