Jennifer Lawrence’s performance in “Silver Linings Playbook” was flawless enough to capture the best actress Oscar. She wasn’t so adroit in claiming the trophy.
Lawrence stumbled as she took the steps to the Oscar stage, falling to her knees in her flowing Dior gown. That drew a sympathetic ovation from the auditorium.
She remained endearingly flustered during her acceptance speech, thanking her family, those who worked with her on the film and wishing a “Happy Birthday” to a fellow nominee, Emmanuelle Riva of “Amour,” who turned 86.
“You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell down,” Lawrence said, as the Dolby Theatre audience rose to its feet after she tripped on her way up the stairs to the stage where she accepted the award.
“But thank you,” she added, clutching the statue. “This is nuts.”
“Look at this dress. I tried to walk up stairs in this dress,” Lawrence said of her white, floor-length gown. “I think I stepped on the fabric and they wax the stairs.”
Asked backstage what was going through her mind as she stumbled, falling on her hands, Lawrence responded: “A bad word that I can’t say that starts with ‘F’.”
