Ranking What Was Really The Best Film Of Every Year 1990-2021

Actually won: Crash.

In one of the most egregious mistakes of the Oscars' long history, Paul Haggis's tactless and hilariously simplistic take on race relations in America, Crash, managed to beat Ang Lee's romantic drama Brokeback Mountain to the night's highest honour.

Though it wouldn't be fair to Crash an awful movie, its awkward social commentary certainly made it the weakest nominee of the year, especially when you consider it also beat Munich, Good Night and Good Luck, and Capote.

Brokeback Mountain, meanwhile, is a drama of almost elemental force, gorgeously dissecting a relationship between two cowboys who don't know where they stand with each other or themselves. It's harrowing and unforgettably moving, and its victory should never have been in question.