Well, it is no big surprise that Slum Dog Millionaire won the “Best Picture” and Best Director awards given to Danny Boyle at this years Academy Awards as it has been on a sweep of all of the award shows this season.

In keeping with its theme of bottomless optimism amid adversity, "Slumdog Millionaire" has led a charmed life, dodging a flirtation with straight-to-DVD release, winning over critics and climbing toward $100 million hit status. The film has won top honors at all key earlier awards ceremonies.

Now its cast of unknowns _ from new celebrities Dev Patel and Freida Pinto to kids plucked by director Danny Boyle from the slums of Mumbai, India _ earned a trip to Hollywood's glitziest party.

Shot in India on a modest budget of $14 million, "Slumdog Millionaire" traces the life of a Mumbai orphan who overcomes poverty, betrayal, police torture and other hardships on his way to a reunion with his childhood love and success on India's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

No one was surprised when Heath Ledger won post-humously for his role of “The Joker” in the Batman sequel, “The Dark Night.” His parents and sister accepted the award on his behalf and pledged that they would celebrate the occasion.

Since his death, the 28-year-old Ledger has gained a mythic aura akin to James Dean, another rising star who died well before his time.

The Joker was his final completed role, a casting choice that initially drew scorn from fans who thought Ledger would not be up to the task given Jack Nicholson's gleefully campy rendition of the character in 1989's "Batman."

Penelope Cruz claimed the evening's first prize, supporting actress, for her role as a tempestuous artist in Woody Allen's Spanish romance "Vicky Cristina Barcelona

It was no surprise that Kate Winslet finally wins for her role in “The Reader”. She gave a heart-felt speech while one of my personal favorites, Sean Penn won for his amazing portrayal of Harvey Milk, a story that had to be told.