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LOS ANGELES - Cate Blanchett was missing in action, but George Clooney, Viggo Mortensen and Hollywood's new darling, Ellen Page, partied with more than 100 other nominees at today's Oscars luncheon in Beverly Hills.
"It's nice to be wearing a suit again," Clooney, who had just returned from war zones in Africa in his new role of United Nations messenger of peace and is nominated for best actor for Michael Clayton, told reporters before the luncheon.
The annual Oscars Luncheon, held in the Beverly Hilton Hotel's international ballroom, is Hollywood's most exclusive event as only nominees for that year are invited.
The 117 nominees who attended this year snacked on a four course meal of medallions of grilled goat cheese, hickory smoked chicken with mango salsa, grilled shitake mushrooms and scallions followed by a chocolate mousse dessert.
"It's very surreal," 20-year-old Page, nominated for best actress for her role in the independent comedy, Juno, told reporters.
"It's very bizarre."
Page said she could not believe she was nominated in the same category as Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), Julie Christie (Away from Her), Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) and Laura Linney (The Savages).
The Canadian-born actress joked the Academy should do a recount.
"It does not always feel right when you are associated with four women and a group of people you have so much respect and admiration for," Page said.
"It feels like 'Are you sure? You want to double check that."
Other nominees who attended today's luncheon included Linney, Cotillard, Casey Affleck and documentary maker Michael Moore.
Blanchett, who was in Los Angeles for last week's Screen Actors Guild Awards, is believed to have flown back to Sydney to be with her family.
The Australian actress, who is six months pregnant, is also nominated for best supporting actress for I'm Not There.
The 80th Academy Awards is set to go ahead on February 24 in Hollywood.
It appears the three month screenwriters strike which has crippled movie and TV production and other award shows will be resolved before the Oscars, allowing the ceremony to go ahead without a boycott by writers and actors who support them.
The writers' union and the film studios are believed to be close to a deal.
- AAP
