Who knew a hostless Oscars might turn out to be a good idea? Sunday’s ceremony, with its diverse winners’ list, made for a lively show, even if there were several head-scratchers. Here are the highs and lows as we saw them.

[Our film critics on “Green Book’s” win. | A best-picture backlash. | The Oscars’ identity crisis.]

The Biggest Step Forward (for Diversity)

We’re a long way from #OscarsSoWhite. On Sunday, the academy fielded an immensely diverse slate of winners. Three of the four acting winners were people of color: Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”) and Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). Several filmmaker winners were, too: Alfonso Cuarón (best director and cinematography, for “Roma”) led a list that included winners for documentary feature, animated feature and animated short. The first African-American women to win best costume and production design, Ruth E. Carter and Hannah Beachler of “Black Panther,” made headlines. And of course there was the first competitive Oscar, best adapted screenplay, for Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”). The gender diversity in the tech categories was notable too. — SOPAN DEB