Before Sunset had a smaller budget than Moonlight, but it would have made a strong impression and could have won.

Because it tells a more compelling story.

It simply is.

That would have felt fitting.

I didn't connect with the music; the song and choreography didn't resonate for me.

Some of the performances felt less convincing to my taste.

Still, they could have won.

I felt it carried more emotional depth than Moonlight or La La Land.

La La Land's win would have represented a moment of fantasy.

Which is the effect the mistaken envelope created.

The Oscar ended up with Moonlight because many felt it had deep emotional resonance.