The bland and the beautiful

Amy Adams The ''Doubt'' star showed that diamonds are not always a girl's best friend. Her jeweled bib necklace by Fred Leighton reflected the evening's trend of big necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Taraji P. Henson also went with a Leighton necklace. (CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP)

Call it the battle of the bland.

Although the big film going into the 2009 Oscars was "Slumdog Millionaire," little of the film's vivid color translated to the evening's couture at last night's Academy Awards. Starlets headed down the red carpet in a steady stream of whites, creams, and beiges. Oh, 2007, how your Oscar evening gown colors were missed this year. There was a time when only fashion-impaired actresses (we're talking to you, Cameron Diaz) would allow their stylists to make such uninspired choices. Instead, in vintage Balmain Penelope Cruz looked more like she was ready to get married than to attend an awards show.

The biggest fashion disappointment was Jessica Biel in ivory Prada. The satin gown, with a giant floppy bow in the front, effectively hid her figure. Perhaps auditioning for a part at Cruz's wedding, she looked like a frumpy bridesmaid. Sarah Jessica Parker, in uber-pale green Dior Couture, was channeling her inner fairy princess, but the color choice was about as unflattering as Matthew Broderick's expression when E! host Ryan Seacrest began asking Parker about her "Sex and the City" sequel.

If these actresses were attempting to tone down the glamour to show sympathy with the recession-ravaged masses, they certainly succeeded. These washed-out looks made for a great depression on the red carpet.

Not all pale evening gowns are created equal, and there were stunners in the midst of the messes. Evan Rachel Wood was flawlessly styled in her Elie Saab gown and Melissa George offered a touch of old-time Hollywood glam. Anne Hathaway, who can always be counted on to make smart fashion choices for awards season, absolutely sparkled in Armani Privé. Taraji P. Henson offered a modern interpretation of white in a gorgeous and intricately layered creamy Roberto Cavalli. When she bent down to show Seacrest what she was wearing on her ankle, she revealed a glimpse of her Spanx (or were those Sculptz?). Any actress who can combine slimming underpinnings and chic couture deserves an award.

In the middle of the milky sea, a few actresses braved color. "Millionaire" actress Freida Pinto, in sapphire John Galliano, combined east and west: her one-sleeve gown brought together a sari-like fabric with an incredibly sophisticated cut. Natalie Portman, in pink Rodarte, was also a sight for color-deprived eyes.

And a savvy handful of actresses demonstrated that just because you're wearing the same color as the carpet, you don't have to disappear into the background.

It seems that several Hollywood actresses spent their pre-Oscar evenings watching "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," as form-fitting dresses with mermaid tails arrived in force. Among them was the black and gold number worn by Beyoncé, whose dress fit her shape flawlessly. How refreshing to see curves on actresses other than Sophia Loren and Kate Winslet.

And speaking of Winslet - as much as we wanted to see her look stunning, she looked rather drab in gray and black. When Meryl Streep shows up to the Oscars (finally) looking more stylish than you do, it's time to fire your stylist and start over, Kate.

Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com.