The lunch is designed to assure nominees they are winners even if they don't score at the March 26 awards ceremony. In the interview room before the lunch, actors and directors echoed the theme. The stiffest competition is to make the picture.
People do the best they can.
And a lot of the actors this year have done good work. As he left the room, Washington was asked if he was rooting for anyone. All stood while the photo was taken a dozen times for safety's sake. An endearing scene appeared at the middle of the front row. The luncheon ended with the usual warning.